Page 25

James didn’t wave back.
He shared a clipped exchange with Daniel, then turned and disappeared into the house. A second later, the front door slammed shut.
Daniel returned to the truck at a measured pace, his jaw tight. He climbed in and shut the door.
Ellie angled toward him. “What did he say?”
“He’ll meet us at a diner off the highway in half an hour,” Daniel said, putting the vehicle into Drive. His gaze swept the neighborhood. “He said we shouldn’t have come. I told him it was urgent, that we had no other choice. I get the impression James believes he’s being watched.”
“Watched?” Tension coiled through her body. “By who? The Iron Fist? Tobias? Or the FBI?”
“I don’t know.” Daniel pulled away from the curb, his attention on their surroundings. Searching for any sign of danger. “But we may have just made everything worse by coming here, El.”
THIRTEEN
One mistake after another. Today had been full of them.
Letting his guard down around Ellie when he should stay professional. Check. Alluding to his failed marriage during the car ride. Check. Driving Ellie to see her old boss and potentially exposing her to more danger… double check.
Daniel sipped his ice water and wondered if he was making yet another mistake by following James's instructions.
The diner had seen better days. Battered checkered flooring, saggy booth seats, and rickety tables were stuffed between a worn-out kitchen and a sad-looking front desk. Several truckers were perched on the chrome barstools, but most of the tables were empty. A gas station occupied the other half of the building, and several rigs were parked around back. Large windows provided a view of the highway. The stink of fried onions and despair hung heavy in the air.
It’d been forty-five minutes. No James.
The bathroom door creaked open, and Ellie emerged before rejoining Daniel at their table. She'd positioned her chair right next to his, giving her a view of the diner’s exits and entrances. The scent of her shampoo teased his nostrils. She smelledlike wildflowers and honey, reminding him of summers on the ranch. A silent battle warred within him, the desire to lean closer fighting with the urge to put space between them. The smartest move would be to hightail it out of here. If Daniel didn't think he'd have to throw Ellie over his shoulder to do it, he would've already left.
Nothing about this felt right.
Ellie picked up her fork and prodded the sad slice of cherry cobbler on her plate. Her vanilla ice cream had melted into a pale puddle. She leaned closer to Daniel. “If I eat this, do you think I’ll get food poisoning?”
He smothered a laugh. “Several of the truckers at the bar are scarfing it down, so I’m sure it’s safe.”
“They have stomachs of steel. A couple of them are drinking the coffee, and I’m pretty sure it’s sludge.” She eyed her own mug before daring to pick it up and sip. Ellie winced. “Tastes like mud.”
“Don’t be such a wuss. It can’t be that bad.” Daniel took the mug from her and drank. The liquid was gritty, and thick enough to chew. He nearly gagged. “Okay, never mind. You’re right.”
Her eyes sparkled with amusement. “Never bet against me, Perez. You’ll lose every time.”
Daniel was momentarily mesmerized by her teasing smile. Then he forced himself to look away and scan the diner. A flicker of hurt flashed across Ellie’s face, and guilt stabbed him before he shoved it away. He needed to stay sharp. Even simple banter with Ellie was distracting.
A tired-looking couple entered and took a booth near the window. Still no sign of James.
“I don’t think your boss is coming.” Daniel took a long sip of his water to wash away the bitter taste of the coffee.
Ellie’s mouth flattened. “He’ll show.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because I trust him. Like you trust Cole.”
A minute later, a sedan pulled into the lot. James stepped out, surveying the area before heading toward the diner. Despite the warm evening, he wore a windbreaker, probably to conceal a handgun, and a ball cap pulled low. The former FBI Special Agent in Charge was pushing seventy, but he carried himself like a lawman with even strides and a steely-eyed stare.
He greeted Daniel with a nod before offering Ellie a tight smile. “Sorry I’m late. Getting away from my son’s birthday party wasn’t easy, and I had to make sure I wasn’t followed here.”
Ellie leaned forward. “Who’s watching you?”
“I’m not sure.” James dropped his keys on the table and angled his chair toward the front entrance. His hand landed briefly on Ellie’s arm, his expression softening with something close to fatherly affection. “I suppose your sudden appearance means something’s gone wrong.”