Deadly Dance by Dee Davis Read Free Book Online Page A

Hannah said. “Besides, I’ve heard you say a thousand times that this kind of thing takes time.”
    “True enough,” he agreed, looking at her over the top of his computer. It was amazing how easy it was to be with Hannah. He hadn’t really had a friend like her since Madison.
    Of course, he and Madison were still friends. Hell, he was probably officially still a member of Last Chance. But for now at least, it suited him better to stick withA-Tac. Besides, Madison had Gabriel. And no matter how close they’d been, husband trumped best friend every time. Especially when said friend was a male.
    He shook his head and glanced over at the clock on the mantel and wished he hadn’t. It was almost midnight. “Problem is,” he said, pulling his attention away from the past to the matter at hand, “we don’t have time. Not if that girl is really in trouble. You know as well as I do that the first twenty-four hours are crucial.”
    “I do. And it makes me sick to think what might be happening to her. But we can’t force the answers. So maybe what we need is a break.” She pushed up from the chair at the table where she’d been working. “That way we’ll be able to come back at it with fresh eyes. I could make us some coffee.”
    “Actually I could use a beer.” Hannah had a weakness for English bitter and usually had a well-stocked refrigerator. “Any chance of a choice brew?”
    “Absolutely. Owen just brought me some Samuel Smith,” she said, already heading for the kitchen. Owen, an Englishman, was Tyler’s husband. He was currently working with Homeland Security, but he still made the occasional trip back to the home country, and Harrison knew that Hannah had a standing order for beer.
    Harrison followed, allowing his gaze to wander around the room. Like Hannah herself, the house was unique. Full of offbeat artwork and bright colors, it felt homey but still somehow empty. There were no photographs or personal memorabilia. Nothing that gave any hint of Hannah’s life before A-Tac.
    Although it wasn’t unusual for people in their line of work to come from places they’d just as soon forget, he stillfound himself curious about Hannah’s life. Crazy thought. Probably stemmed from their close call the other night. Almost dying had a way of bringing people together.
    Or maybe it was the outfit. That skirt had been mouthwateringly short and tight. And although he wasn’t interested in relationships, he wasn’t a eunuch either, and even in light of their dire circumstances—or maybe because of them—Hannah had looked pretty damn fine.
    “You want it in a glass?” Hannah asked, rear end sticking out from behind the refrigerator door. “The only downside to having English beer delivered is that it has to come in a bottle.” She straightened up, two bottles in hand, as he perched himself on a barstool at the breakfast counter. “So? Bottle or glass?”
    “I know it’s very pedestrian, but I grew up drinking Lone Star in a bottle.”
    “Bottle it is.” She removed the top and handed it to him. “And just for the record, I like Texas beers. Particularly Shiner Bock.”
    “Ah, a girl with an open mind. I like that. So when were you in Texas?” The question was an honest one, but he found himself hoping for something to fill in the blanks of her past.
    “We worked an operation with DEA a few years back. Trying to stop a Mexican drug cartel. We were based in Laredo.” She hopped up onto the counter opposite him and took a long swig of beer.
    “Not a hell of a lot else to do in Laredo except drink.”
    “Yeah, and I learned pretty fast that tequila wasn’t the best choice. That stuff has a wicked kick.”
    “And usually about two beats after you’ve decided it won’t affect you.” He laughed, memories stirring.
    “Sounds like you have personal experience with the stuff.” Hannah tipped her head to the side, eyeing him through blue-rimmed glasses, the kitchen light playing on the magenta streaks