“That’s fine. I’ll take what I can get.” Katie paused. “It’s been too long. I’m looking forward to seeing you, Daph.”
“Same here. Bye.”
“Bye.” Katie pressed the button to end the call. She dropped the phone into her lap. She knew why she hadn’t extended an invitation before now. She’d been sure Daphne would say no. But she hadn’t. Wonder of wonders, she hadn’t.
Her phone vibrated. Riley. “Hello?”
“Hi, Katie, I hope you don’t mind me bothering you.”
“Of course not. You’re never a bother. What’s up?”
“I saw you sitting outside my house last night and wanted to say thanks for keeping an eye out for us. It made me feel better knowing you were there.”
Katie stilled. “Wait, what? What are you talking about?”
“Uncle Daniel told me to go to bed, but I couldn’t sleep, so I came down to the kitchen to get some water. When I looked out the window, I saw your car on the street.”
What? “Riley, I don’t mean to scare you, but that wasn’t me.”
Silence. Then, “Oh.”
“What else did you notice about the vehicle?”
“Nothing really. I just thought it looked like yours and I didn’t think any more about it.” She paused. “It could have just been the neighbor’s. I think they have one like it, but . . .” She laughed. A jerky, self-conscious sound only a teenage girl can make. “Never mind, I guess I was just seeing things. Maybe things I wanted to see.”
“Or maybe not, Riley. Don’t discount it. Did you see someone in the driver’s seat?”
“Just a shadow. Like a silhouette.”
“But there was definitely someone there,” Katie said.
Riley didn’t answer right away and Katie could almost see her blue eyes narrowing in thought. “Yes,” she finally said. “Because I thought it was you.”
“So it was a woman?”
Riley hesitated. “Um. Maybe. I don’t know. I mean, I just glanced out the window and saw a vehicle that I thought was yours and someone in the driver’s seat, so . . .”
She just assumed. Katie drew in a deep breath. “All right then. I wouldn’t worry too much about it.”
“You wouldn’t? Come on, Katie. After all that happened last night—this morning—you can’t be serious.”
She wasn’t going to be able to blow it off. Not with Riley. “Well, I was hoping I could ease your mind, then go about investigating it a little.”
“I thought that might be what you were doing.”
The girl was sharp. Too sharp sometimes. “It’s not going to work, huh?”
“Nope.”
“Want me to come over and ask a few questions of your neighbors? See if anyone else saw anything?”
“Do you mind?”
“Of course not.” Katie picked up the bowl that had held her M&Ms and found it empty. “I need to make a chocolate run. Can I bring you something?”
“Of course. I never turn down chocolate.”
Katie smiled even though Riley couldn’t see it. “I’ll be sure to come by sometime today.” She glanced at the clock. It was already a little after twelve. She could be there in a couple of hours.
“Thanks, Katie, I appreciate it.” The girl’s voice had thickened with emotion.
“Is there something else going on?” Katie asked.
“Um . . .”
“Tell me, hon, what is it?”
“I’m just scared I’m going to lose him too,” she whispered.
Katie knew the story of her parents being killed by a drunk driver. She remembered the grief flashing in Daniel’s eyes when he’d confronted Quinn while his building burned behind him. “Don’t go there, Riley. It doesn’t help anything. Stay positive and focused on the things you can change.”
“Like what?”
“Like if someone is after your uncle, he needs to take precautions, be careful, stay alert. You can remind him of that. And when you’re with him, you can be watchful and alert as well. Actually do that even if you’re not with him. But you get the idea. That’s being proactive. He’s got skills too, Riley. Good skills. He’s a fighter, he’s smart, and he can take care of himself. Remember that, because worrying about what might happen won’t help the situation and can distract you from what you need to do. Does that make sense?”
“Yes.” This time she sounded thoughtful. “Yes, that makes a lot of sense.”
“Where’s your uncle this morning?”
“At A Taste of Yesterday, the downtown restaurant. He, uh, told me about that man that was killed and hung there. He figured I should hear it from him instead of seeing it on the news.” The girl sounded distanced from the fact, like she’d already thought about it, processed it, and was thinking about something else.
“What are you thinking, sweetie?”
“A lot of things. We’ve talked a lot. Had some good conversations on just about every topic there is, and I know you believe in God.”
The statement caught her off guard. “Yes, I do.”
“I know. And you know I do too. Remember I told you that my parents were missionaries?”
“I remember.”
“Well, they taught me that God puts people in our lives for a reason. I really believe that.”
The seventeen-year-old’s insight brought a lump to Katie’s throat. She cleared it. “I agree.”
“Which is why I want to hire you to be my uncle’s bodyguard.”
[5]
1:00 PM
Daniel set his drink on the white tablecloth that covered an 1860s antique Chippendale dining room table. The table had belonged to his brother and sister-in-law. Now he considered putting it in storage until the fire at his North Lake Drive restaurant was solved. The last thing he wanted was to lose another piece of the people he missed so much. And he didn’t think Riley could take another hit. He still hadn’t been able to go out to the site to look for the box. But he would.
He studied the name and number Riley had given to him last night. Tim Shepherd with Shepherd Real Estate Developers. The man had called him at home, he must be getting desperate. Unfortunately, he’d just have to stay that way. Daniel wasn’t selling. He picked up his phone to call the man when the device vibrated. His mother’s picture flashed on the screen. “Hi, Mom.”
“Daniel. You want to explain?”
“Hi, Mom, good to hear from you.”
“Cute. Now explain.”
“Nothing much to explain. If you saw the news, you know as much as I do.”
“Is Riley all right?”
“Did you get her text?”
“Yes, but anyone can send a text.”
“It was really her.”
His mother snorted. “I know it was. I’ve already talked to her.”
Then why ask if she was all right? “Gotcha.”
“Daniel.” Her voice softened. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine, Mom, I promise. I’m not sure what’s going on or why this is happening, but the police are working on it.” He wondered if he should be worried about her as well. He frowned. Then sighed. “Mom, will you watch your back?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I don’t know who’s behind the incidents or why. I don’t know if I’m the only target or if he’s going to start targeting the people I love. I just . . . I’m worried enough to mention it.”
Silence greeted him. “I’ll watch my back.” He heard the seriousness in her voice and was glad she didn’t just blow off his concerns. “Will you keep me updated?” she asked.
“Of course.” Her heavy sigh came through the line. “I will, I promise.”
“Does Riley need to come stay with me for a while? I can get someone else to go out on the next assignment.” His mother was a paid companion who traveled with those who didn’t have anyone else to travel with. The largest percentage of her clientele were women who’d lost their husbands. He smiled when he thought of how far she’d come since being a sin
gle mother who worked three jobs to make ends meet.
“No, Mom. Not right now. In fact, going on this assignment may be the best thing you can do right now. Get away. Be safe. If something changes, I’ll let you know.”
“And Riley’s safe?”
“Yes.” He felt like she was. Right now.
“All right then. If you’re sure.”
“I am. And I promise to let you know if there’s any new developments that you need to know about.”
“That sounds good.”
He rubbed a hand across the back of his neck. “How long are you in town for?”
“Just today and tomorrow.”
“Where’s your next assignment?”
“Brazil.”
“What’s her name?” He always ran background checks on the people she traveled with. He might not be in law enforcement anymore, but he still had friends in high places.
“Eliza Green. She’s seventy-eight years old and this is a bucket list trip for her. She’s terribly sad her husband passed away last year and was unable to go with her, but before he died, he made her promise to take the trip for him. She’s honoring that request but doesn’t want to go alone. I’ve already met her and she seems wonderful. A real firecracker too. I think we’ll get along just fine.”
“I hope you have a great time.”
“I’ve never been to Brazil, I hear it’s lovely. They speak Portuguese, so I’ve been brushing up.” He heard her nails clicking on her keyboard. “Riley said she has to decide on her internship soon.”
“Yes. If she works with Martin, she starts Tuesday, I think.”
“So weird she didn’t jump at going to Cozumel, but to each her own, I suppose.”
“I suppose.”
“Take care of my granddaughter.”
“You know it.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too.” He hung up and pulled up Tim Shepherd’s number again. The front door of the restaurant chimed.
Daniel looked up as his buddy Martin Sheehan, full-time archaeologist and part-time university professor, bounded over and slipped into the chair next to him. “Hey.”
“Hey. You get bored playing in your sandbox?” Daniel asked him. He set his phone aside. Shepherd could wait.
“Cute. And never. Boredom isn’t a word I’m familiar with.” Martin waved a waitress over.
Sarah Durham, the pretty brunette and single mother of two young children, was one of Daniel’s best waitresses. She wore an 1860s-style costume complete with hoop under the skirt. She had on one of the more fashionable items of history, with the skirt raised above the ground and cords tied around her waist. Daniel had wondered if the clothing would interfere with her movements and ability to serve effectively, but so far, she’d done a fabulous job. And some customers mentioned they came just to see what Sarah would be wearing that day. Finishing off her attire was a small hat with the popular ribbon streamers. Sarah had insisted she liked dressing in costume and had even made a few of her own.
If she stuck around, he planned to make her manager one day. Soon. She walked over and pulled her pad and pen out of her apron pocket. “What can I get for you, Mr. Sheehan? Same as usual?”
“Absolutely. Burger all the way, cheese fries, and a double chocolate shake. Oh, and let’s go crazy. Add a large side of onion rings to it this time.”
“You got it.”
“Fabulous dress, Sarah. Did you make that one?”
Sarah flushed and gave them a slight curtsy. “Thank you ever so much, Mr. Sheehan,” she drawled in her soft southern belle voice. “And yes, I made this one,” she said in her normal alto. “So kind of you to notice.”
“If it’s history, he notices it,” Daniel said with a smile.
“Be right back, gentlemen.” She walked away, her hoopskirt swaying gently, the hint of citrus following in her wake.
Daniel shook his head as Martin took a long swig of his water. “Will you ever change your eating habits?” The man ate like a trash can and never did gain an ounce. Lean and muscled, with blue eyes and reddish blond hair, his rugged good looks turned female heads wherever he went. A fact he acknowledged but didn’t seem to care much about anymore.
“Not likely.”
Daniel chuckled. After his third divorce, Martin had declared he’d finally gotten his priorities in order. He was now hyper-focused on his work as an archaeologist and professor at the local university. “What brings you in?” Daniel asked. “Besides the free food and my charming company, of course.”
“Came to see if you were wallowing in self-pity.”
“No time for that.” Daniel gestured to his open laptop and cell phone. “Crunching numbers, going back and forth with the insurance company, and scheduling the reconstruction of the restaurant.”
“So you’re going to rebuild.”
It wasn’t a question. Martin knew him well enough. “Of course.”
Martin looked around. “It’s good to see that the incidents from last night don’t seem to be hurting business.”
“No. Thank goodness.”
“How was the interview? You find this place a new cook?”
“You talked to Riley this morning.”
“How do you think I knew where to find you and that you had an interview?”
“Of course. The interview went well for a last-minute thing. I texted the guy yesterday morning when I found out my trip was going to be canceled and he arranged his schedule to meet me. Not only was that impressive, he really knows his stuff. He’s a senior at USC getting his Culinary Arts degree. I hired him on the spot and he agreed to start Monday.”
“Good for you.” He took a sip of his water. “He wasn’t turned off by the events of last night?”
“I made sure he knew what happened, and while he expressed regret for the loss of life, it didn’t scare him off the job.”
“Excellent.” Martin rubbed his fuzzy chin and Daniel thought he saw a puff of dust erupt. He simply dipped his napkin in his water and handed it to his friend. Martin gave a sheepish grin and ran the napkin over his scruffy facial hair. When finished, he crumpled the napkin into a ball. “I have to say, I’m surprised you opened.”
Daniel rubbed a hand down his cheek. “I thought about staying closed today, but what’s the point? The crime scene was cleared about an hour before we were scheduled to open and I have workers who need to work. They have families to feed and bills to pay. Closing would have done more harm than good.”
Martin nodded. “This whole business is a tough break. I’m sorry about Armstrong. Can’t believe he was that depressed. And to hang himself in your basement . . .” He clucked his tongue. “Was it some twisted way to get back at you because you fired him?”
“I’m not so sure it was a suicide.”
Martin lifted a brow. “No? That’s what the media is reporting.”
Daniel shook his head. “The cops are investigating. That’s all I know right now.”
“And someone burned down the North Lake location. What’s up with that? That’s crazy.”
Daniel grunted. “Yeah. Crazy’s a pretty good word.” An accurate one that had been used way too much in the last twelve hours.
“How bad is the damage?”
“I’m not sure yet. I rode by this morning and several firefighters were still out there.”
“Making sure the blaze is out for good.”
“Yes. I know the arson investigator is supposed to get over there sometime today. Once he files his report, I’ll hear from the cops. But I have a feeling the damage is extensive and I’m going to have to build it back from the ground up.”
“Well, I guess we know where your focus is going to be over the coming months.”
Daniel grunted. “Yeah. No kidding.”
Martin leaned back and crossed his arms. “So are the incidents related?”
“I don’t know. Like I said, they’re working on figuring it all out.”
“Let me know if you need anything.”
<
br /> The compassion on his friend’s face helped ease the sting of the past day. “Thanks.” At least Martin didn’t think Daniel had anything to do with the whole mess.
“Moving on to less-depressing topics. Has Riley made up her mind on which internship she wants to do? I’m all ready for her to come play in the sandbox.” Martin smirked.
Daniel sighed. The private school Riley attended had a special month during the school year that they dedicated to internships. Students received hands-on training in their field of interest and it counted toward their high school units. “Riley is a very smart girl with a variety of interests. She’s narrowed the field to marine biology and archaeology. The fact that she knows and likes you is weighing in your favor. The fact that they’re offering marine biology in Cozumel is tilting the scales.”
“Cozumel.” He sighed. “I know which one I’d choose, but I still hope she picks me. I have tons I could teach her.” Sarah approached and Martin’s eyes gleamed with anticipation when she set the food in front of him. “That looks amazing. Thanks.”
“Of course.”
“You got your license yet?”
Sarah grinned. “Just have to take the test, thanks to Riley and Daniel here. Who would have thought little ole me would learn how to fly a plane?”
“You’re a great pilot, Sarah,” Daniel said. And she was.
Martin’s gaze lifted to meet Daniel’s. “What did you have? That grilled chicken salad that wouldn’t fill up a gnat?”
“Yes.” Daniel laughed and winked at Sarah. “It was good and it filled me up. And in ten years when your cholesterol is sky high, I’ll be the one laughing.”
Martin snorted. “I doubt it. What do you think, Sarah?”
“I think I’ll stay out of it.” She smiled. “Tell Riley I’d love to go up a couple more times before I take the test. Even though she’s not a certified instructor, she really knows how to instruct.”
Daniel nodded. “I’m sure she’d enjoy doing that with you. She said you were the best student she’s ever had.”
Sarah grinned. “I’m the only student she’s ever had.”
“As soon as she turns eighteen, she can be certified, so it’s great practice for her too.” He slapped Martin on his shoulder. “Riley keeps trying to get this guy in the sky, but he won’t budge.”
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