Benny remained in place. “Howdy. I know I’m huge, but I never hurt cute women like you. I’m as harmless as a puppy.” He clapped Adare on the back. Hard. “My buddy here is harmless, too, but since he’s Scottish, it’s harder to tell. I’m not Scottish. I’m kind of Russian and a few other things melded in, and that makes me mellower than most guys my size. Maybe all guys my size. I can’t tell you how hard it is to find shoes.”

What the hell was he doing?

Adare studied the woman. The more Benny talked, the more she visibly relaxed. Maybe she related to buckets of crazy.

Benny must’ve thought the same thing. “Shoes are one thing, but have you ever thought about socks? Normal socks, even the big ones, don’t fit my feet. It’s a true challenge. My ma used to knit my socks, but she passed on to the great beyond, and now I’m caught trying to scrabble material together to cover my big feet. I like the fabric of potholders, but they just don’t make them big enough, you know?” He leaned in and lowered his voice. “I’m not wearing socks right now, which is fine, except when I take my boots off, everyone yells at me.”

Her lips pressed together as if she was trying to hide a smile.

Adare nodded. “Yeah, he stinks. So, about my friend Grace. Has she been here?”

The woman slowly shook her head. “No. I’m sorry.” Her voice was soft with a hint of an accent. What was that? Her scent was unfamiliar as well. Sugar and lemons? Something sweet? “I don’t know any Grace.” Pink infused her cheeks and she dropped her gaze.

The woman was a terrible liar.

“What’s your name, beautiful?” Benny tugged his wallet out and scribbled something on a piece of paper. “My name is Benny, and this is my cell phone number. Call me if Grace comes by. Please.”

The woman’s hand trembled, but she took the paper. “K-Kim. My name is Kim,” she whispered, taking the paper. “I shall call you if anyone named Grace visits.” With one last look at Benny, she stepped back and shut the door.

Adare looked over his shoulder.

Benny shrugged, his gaze remaining on the closed door. “Do you sense your mate near?”

Adare tuned into the area. “No, but I’ve never sensed her.” He turned and followed Benny to the vehicle.

“Why do you suppose that woman lied?” Benny asked.

Adare slipped into the vehicle. “I don’t know. Let’s check in with the satellite guys. If they can’t help, we might need to go back in.” The woman had seemed terrified of him, but she’d lied.

“I’ll call my nephew and see what he’s found,” Benny said, uncharacteristically serious. “You’ve stabbed enough people today.”

* * * *