Deadly Memories (Hardy Brothers Security Book 18) by Lily Harper Hart

more thing, Mr. Foley,” Sophie said, forcing the man’s attention back to her even though he looked as if he wanted to storm out of the diner. “If you ever threaten my safety again – or say one word to my friend here – I’m going to have my mafia daddy have a little talk with you about manners.”
    Foley’s face whitened as Mandy pursed her lips to keep from laughing. “Was that a threat?”
    Sophie remained calm as she regarded the commissioner. “It was merely a statement, Mr. Foley. Now, you have a nice day.”

6
    Six
    “ W ell , that was impressive,” Mandy said as she walked with Sophie back toward the courthouse. “I would’ve started yelling if it happened to me … and then run straight home to James to cry. You were masterful, though.”
    Sophie wasn’t particularly proud of her reaction, but she couldn’t help but laugh. “I shouldn’t have done that,” she said. “Peter always told me that name dropping was something weak people did.”
    “I think Peter would be happy for you to drop his name in this particular case,” Mandy countered. “I was worried Foley would put his hands on you. He was a little … out of control.”
    “Well, his son just killed three people and is looking at life behind bars,” Sophie said, her pragmatic side taking over. “I can’t blame him for being overwrought. Still, you’re probably right. Peter doesn’t take kindly to threats.”
    “Especially when they’re aimed at you.”
    Sophie snickered. “I don’t think he would appreciate what Foley said to you either,” she said. “You have a special place in his heart. He thinks you’re the only reason I have any female friends.”
    “Well, he’s got a special place in my heart, too,” Mandy said. “He’s saved me more times than I can count.”
    “Yes, you do find trouble,” Sophie agreed, turning her attention to the front steps of the courthouse as they approached. “I guess everyone is gearing up for the press conference early.”
    That was an understatement. Since Sophie’s story leaked the identity of the driver, the Stony Creek accident narrative had shifted from a cautionary tale to a full-blown political scandal. The area in front of the circuit courthouse where Mandy worked reflected that now as representatives from each local television station and newspaper flooded the area in anticipation of the prosecutor’s statement later that afternoon.
    “Holy crap,” Mandy said, pulling up short when she saw the gathering. “When you said you had to cover a press conference here, I thought it was going to be like five people. This is … something else.”
    “It’s about politics now,” Sophie said. “I told you that over lunch. This is going to get a lot messier before it gets better.”
    “Are you worried it’s going to spill over and cause problems? Foley is clearly fixated on you right now.”
    “Once the other media representatives start harping on him, it won’t be a big deal,” Sophie replied. “He’ll have enough anger to spread evenly around to all of us.”
    “Well, at least you’ve got that to look forward to.”
    Mandy and Sophie said their goodbyes outside, with the blonde leaving for the afternoon court session and Sophie taking the opportunity to monitor the growing crowd. While the media representatives were circling like vultures, it was the other people – the assembled residents – that most piqued Sophie’s interest.
    Sophie didn’t recognize anyone outside of the media throng, but the people standing to the right of the stairs wore Mothers Against Drunk Driving shirts, while two women across the way wore Foley political shirts. Sophie had to wonder if Foley asked his supporters to put in an appearance.
    “What do you think?”
    Sophie jumped at the voice, frowning when she shifted her eyes and locked gazes with the lead prosecutor Eric Humphrey. The man was new to his post, only sliding into the position a few months prior after a special election