Dead Heat by Kathleen Brooks Read Free Book Online

chatter moving its way up the street.
    “So?”
    “Just watch. Before we get to the next light the whole town will know we are back and will want to know what’s going on. See there.” Paige pointed to the heavy man in suspenders standing near the car on the sidewalk. “That’s John Wolfe, and see that elderly woman with the walker practically running up the sidewalk towards the cafe? Well, that’s one of Miss Lily’s neighbors, Edna Schniter”
    “She’s going to break a hip if she’s not careful.”
    “Well, she’s going to tell that family there, the Gilberts. Pam is the president of the PTA and all-around perfect soccer mom. She’s going to send one of her kids up to the cafe to alert everyone there that we are back in town. Then, by the time we get to the next stop light, the whole cafe will be outside waiting for us.”
    “Yeah right. Why would Edna or John or the Gilberts care? And these windows are tinted, they can’t even tell who is in here.” Cole shook his head and Paige just smiled.
    “I’ll bet fifty bucks I am right,” she held her hand out to shake on it.
    “Deal. Easy money, Davies, easy money.” He placed his hand in hers and shook it. She looked up at him and their eyes locked. She broke the eye contact and looked down to where he was still holding her hand. Oh, this was not good. If this kept going she might have to acknowledge Cole was different from the others and she wasn’t ready to do that yet.
    “Light’s green.”
    Cole slowly pulled his hand away and placed it on the steering wheel.
    “I’ll be damned. I owe you fifty bucks, Davies.” Paige followed where Cole was looking and saw Miss Daisy, Miss Violet, and about twenty other people gathering on the sidewalk outside the cafe waiting for them to drive by. Miss Violet was standing there waving a towel in the air to get their attention, as if the mob didn’t do that already.
    “You better let me handle this. You’ll be all governmental and then Miss Daisy will smack you with that serving spoon she’s holding.”
    “Don’t say anything, we need them to believe Kenna and Dani are dead so the shooter will think so too.”
    Paige rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything. That would never fly in town. The Rose sisters were notorious for telling when someone was lying. The CIA and FBI had nothing on them. Further, John Wolfe would somehow ferret out the truth and then it would spread, unchecked. She pushed the auto window button as she waited for Cole to stop his car at the next stoplight. As soon as the car stopped, the Rose sisters were at the window.
    “How are our girls?” Miss Daisy asked as she reached inside and grabbed her hand, squeezing it tight to express her worry.
    “Anyone new been in town today?” Paige asked them.
    “Not at the cafe, let me check with some of the others.” Miss Daisy turned away and started working her way through the crowd.
    “So, they’re still in danger. At least that means they are alive.” Miss Violet said a quick prayer for their safety.
    “We’re sorry to inform you, neither McKenna nor Dani, survived the shooting,” Cole interrupted. Paige closed her eyes and said her own prayer. Agent Asshole at work again. If she didn’t think he deserved it, she’d feel bad for what was about to happen.
    “Young man, I know you are a federal agent, and I know you have helped our girls out, but don’t you ever lie to me again, do you understand me? Hasn’t anyone ever told you? You are not a good liar, bless your heart. Now cut the bologna and tell me what’s really going on.” Miss Violet leveled her stare at Cole.
    “I told you, they didn’t make...”
    “Cole Parker, don’t even try it. This is your last warning before I cut you off from the cafe. Now, why don’t you just sit there and look handsome while the women talk.” Miss Violet ignored the outraged look Cole shot them and turned to Paige. “Dear, tell us what has happened.”
    “Here comes your sister, let’s