Page 65 of Deadly Storms (Sunrise Lake #3)

Shabina loved having Rainier home. Even the dogs seemed happier.

Her protection detail wasn’t quite as happy.

They claimed they weren’t getting as much good food as they had before.

Rainier told them to go running and work off the weight they’d gained in his absence.

Since not a single one of the men looked as if they carried an ounce of fat on them, Shabina just laughed and told them to come to the café every morning and at lunch and she’d make them whatever they wanted.

Everything seemed different without the heavy weight of guilt hanging over her. She ran with Rainier twice a day. Practiced with a gun every day. Did hand-to-hand combat with him. He was so fast that he forced her to increase her speed just to stay on her feet.

She filled him in on the speculation that Felicity and Eve Garner were the number one suspects in the murders, although they hadn’t been confronted.

Rainier nodded toward the two women seated at the smaller table near a window. “They’re coming to the café every day.”

“Practically every day,” Shabina admitted.

“If not for breakfast, they come in the afternoon for lunch. We take turns inviting them places or going with them to anything they’re doing, so if our theory is correct, the two won’t have an opportunity to find another victim.

Since we’re trading off, it doesn’t appear as if we’re watching them, just that we’re extending the hand of friendship.

” She sighed. “I’m going to feel awful if we’re wrong about them. ”

Rainier stood behind the counter watching the two women as they waved to other customers and engaged in a lively conversation. “If they’re the killers, Shabina, they’re very good at what they do.”

“I think they’re brilliant,” she admitted.

“We’re particularly worried about Miguel.

He had a juvenile record, and he frequently goes climbing with them.

We all made him promise to call anytime the women want to go to the boulders or anywhere else for that matter.

He didn’t ask questions, but he’s been our friend for so long, he’ll do it. ”

“I take it Raine turned over any evidence to the FBI.”

“Sadly, there is no evidence, only a trail, and it’s a thin one. I told you how we came to the conclusions we did.”

“Too big of a coincidence,” Rainier agreed.

He glanced at his watch. “Babe, I’ve got to sort out the supplies.

I’m heading into the shed. Vaughn mentioned he’s worried there’s a glitch in the refrigerator.

I’ll take a look at it when I’ve inventoried the supplies.

If you get overwhelmed and need a dishwasher, send someone for me. ”

Shabina nodded and blew him a kiss as he turned back to the kitchen.

He preferred using the back door so he didn’t run into customers.

Rainier was never going to be the friendliest of men, but she didn’t care.

She could handle the customers, and he could run his business.

She just hoped he’d be home most of the time.

The Sunrise Café was popular, and this day was no exception.

Quite a few locals were present, including Felicity and Eve.

Edward and Janine were having an intimate lunch together.

Tom and Judy Rosewood had come in for lunch, and with them were Mary Shelton, the deputy sheriff, and the ME, Martha Fendy.

Dr. Amelia Sanderson once again was having lunch with Carl Montgomery, the local contractor.

With them were John McAllister, one of the vet techs, and Greg Daily, Patsy’s husband.

The two FBI agents had asked for the table across from Felicity and Eve.

The two women engaged them in conversation often.

Laughing and flirting, talking about the sights in the Sierra and how they had a new love of bouldering and the two men should try it while they were so close to the famous boulders.

It was interesting to see how easily the men seemed to flirt and banter with the two women.

In no way did the men act as if they considered the women suspects.

Fortunately, Bale heeded the restraining order, choosing not to fight it.

Sean didn’t come back, and neither did his two interns, Oliver Smythe and Maurice Vanderpool.

Shabina was grateful that they hadn’t. She really didn’t want her café to be known for drama, and she feared it was fast gaining that reputation.

They were halfway through the lunch hour when Harlow rushed in, her face pale.

She went straight to the kitchen, gesturing for Shabina to join her.

It occurred to Shabina she had thought too soon that the drama was over.

The moment the door swung closed behind her, Harlow caught Shabina by her upper arms.

“My father brought a group of diplomats to Knightly. They claim they want to see the Sierra and eat at your wonderful café. My father bragged about how great the food is.”

Shabina had never seen Harlow so upset. “To my knowledge, your father has never been here.”

“He hasn’t. He always has to play the big man.

There are reporters traveling with them.

Shabina, one of the diplomats is the ambassador for Canada.

” Harlow’s voice trembled. “I have this very bad feeling. I texted my father and asked him who he was bringing here. He told me Darian Lefebre and that he was practically a celebrity. He implied Lefebre was so popular with the people that he was being considered by the Liberal Party to run for prime minister.”

She dropped the bombshell fast, gripping Shabina’s arms hard.

“He’s actually bringing that horrible man here.

Lefebre has diplomatic immunity. If you or Rainier were to kill him, even in self-defense, there is a federal law that was passed, protecting diplomats and their families.

If you were to kill him, you could even face the death penalty.

Rainier can’t go near him. You should leave.

Leave right now and take Rainier with you. ”

Shabina pulled out her phone and texted Rainier, giving him the information Harlow had given her.

No fear, Qadri. He won’t see me. No one will. Tell me your intentions.

I refuse to allow him in my café.

Stay back away from him when you confront him. I’m sending in the team. Put them close to the door, dividing them so Lefebre will be boxed in. If he makes a move, he’s a dead man. There will be a sniper rifle on him.

Promise me you won’t confront Lefebre.

Scorpion has multiple contracts out on him. He belongs to Deadly Storms, not me.

Shabina sent Rainier a heart and slipped her phone into her pocket. “Grab one of the back tables, Harlow. I don’t want your father to blame you for anything that happens. He’s going to be very embarrassed by my refusal to allow them to eat here.”

“You’ll risk that in front of reporters?”

Shabina lifted her chin. “Absolutely. Lefebre does not get to come into my café. I love this place, and he is not going to set foot inside. It was bad enough that Boucher and Cormier managed to get inside. It’s best you stay out of sight or leave through the back.”

“I’m staying with you,” Harlow declared.

“Don’t you know by now that I despise my father?

He takes advantage of young women all the time.

He has a sense of entitlement you wouldn’t believe.

My mother won’t leave him even though she knows.

She’s had to do damage control on more than one occasion.

But then there’s all the perks of being a senator’s wife she’d have to give up. ”

Shabina studied her friend’s expression of complete determination, and then she nodded.

“I didn’t want to talk to my father after I found out the things he’d done.

I didn’t bother to confront him because he wasn’t worth my time anymore.

I understand better than most, Harlow. Just remember, Lefebre is dangerous.

He might try to kill me, knowing he has diplomatic immunity. That’s his style.”

She led the way to the door. Larado and Zero sat at the small table just inside the door.

Tyrone had moved a couple to a window table.

Altair stood just inside the doorway, lounging against the wall, while Dimitri and Torin were seated at the table on the opposite side of the door.

Shabina nodded to them and moved to stand in the doorway.

Most of her customers would think she was there to greet clients as they came in.

A few who knew her well were aware something was up, especially when Harlow moved to stand beside her.

“Keep out of the line of fire, Shabina,” Altair cautioned in a low voice.

“None of you can kill him,” she responded without turning around. “I’ll be careful, but you can’t touch him. He insisted on coming here to taunt me. He thinks he’ll force me to serve him food. And he most likely believes he can cut my throat and get away with it. He’s wrong.”

“Shabina.”

Larado just said her name. Nothing else, but she knew he was giving her an order.

She didn’t care what any of them said. This confrontation was important to her.

Darian Lefebre had terrorized her for too long.

She wasn’t going to let fear rule her, not one minute longer.

She lifted her chin at the approaching small party of men surrounded by bodyguards, the senator and several reporters with cameras.

“Shabina. It’s wonderful to see you,” Senator Frye greeted jovially. “I’ve brought these gentlemen to your wonderful café.” He gestured toward the men dressed in impeccable suits.

“I’m sorry, Senator, but those men are not allowed in my café.”

The smile faded from Frye’s face. “You don’t understand, Shabina. These are important guests of our country.”