He stopped right in front of me and checked a gold pocket watch before sliding it back into his vest pocket.

“I see Charles gave you the paper,” Vance said, his tone slick and condescending as he glanced at my plain coat.

“Sensible office workers don’t turn down six-figure fortunes to hold a grudge over some childhood roughhousing.”

“The incident is still under active investigation by State Precinct Four,” I said.

Vance chuckled softly and shook his head as he stepped past me toward the executive suite.

“County clerks don’t dictate terms to regional development chairmen, Valerie,” Vance said over his shoulder.