Undercover Hunter by Rachel Lee Read Free Book Online Page B

into a rowdy bar and take control.
    “No,” DeeJay said firmly, loud enough to be heard in much of the suddenly quieting diner. “We want to make your town look good. As long as you don’t give me a reason to feel otherwise. Now we’re both real sorry about the missing boy. But we’re travel writers.”
    Cade enjoyed the show. It wasn’t her words—it was her tone of voice and the way she stood. If that was command presence, she had it in spades.
    The guy who had challenged her seemed to change his mind. “Sorry for disturbing your coffee, ma’am. We’re all just real upset.”
    “I can understand that. You’re good neighbors.” Then she slid back into the booth.
    Cade wondered if he’d get his head bitten off if he complimented her. He was still trying to decide when she said something surprising.
    “Thanks for letting me handle that,” she said.
    “You did great. Never doubted it.”
    She shook her head a little. “Much as I hate to admit it, sometimes a woman has an advantage. Men don’t usually want to hit me first. But you’re a big guy. If you’d stood up, he would have felt challenged.”
    “You’re right.” He didn’t tell her he’d have handled it without standing up at all. He was absolutely sure if he did, she’d take it wrong. Maybe he was learning a little about how to handle the prickly pear. Regardless, she’d done well and he was impressed.
    Just then a piercing whistle cut through the room. Cade swiveled his head and saw that Dalton stood just inside the door, in full uniform, his jacket open so that the pistol on his hip was both visible and easy to reach.
    “Searchers,” he said, his raspy voice allowing no disagreement, “outside now. We need to get this day started. And while we’re at it, I don’t want to see any weapons.”
    “But...” someone said.
    Gage shook his head. “Listen, Bob, we’re all mad and upset, but I don’t want to be carrying one of you to the morgue today. Or worse, some innocent ranch hand or hiker. We catch this guy fair and square or we’re just murderers. Now get out there.”
    The men trailed out after him, leaving only a few very elderly types behind. Suddenly, Mavis asked what they wanted for breakfast. They both ordered large meals, then watched through the window as Gage handed out some further orders. Soon trucks were pulling away.
    “He’s good,” DeeJay remarked.
    “He’s respected.”
    “I hope they listen about the guns.”
    “They’ll be reminded at the staging areas, I’m sure.”
    Gage joined them just as they were being served large platters of bacon, eggs and toast. He pulled a chair from one of the tables, and Mavis promptly gave him a mug of coffee.
    “You want a full breakfast or rolls?” she asked.
    “Just rolls, Mavis. Thanks. My stomach’s so knotted these days I’m in danger of losing my love handles.” Mavis laughed, a deep, harsh sound, and wandered back to the kitchen.
    “Thanks for calling me,” Gage said to Cade. “I’m starting to feel like I’m sitting on a powder keg.”
    “You are,” DeeJay answered. “They’re looking for a way to burn off adrenaline.”
    “Well, the cold and hiking today ought to help with that. I hope.”
    Mavis delivered Gage’s rolls, refilled coffee cups all around the diner, then vanished into the back. Quiet conversation resumed among the old men in their little corner.
    “So,” Gage said quietly, “I didn’t bring over the vic photos. Obviously. I’ll have Sarah Ironheart, one of my deputies, bring them over to the house later. I think you met her once, Gage.”
    “A long time ago, I believe.”
    “Well, you were never here very long. I doubt anyone remembers you.”
    “I sure as hell hope not.”
    “I was looking over them again this morning, along with the autopsy reports. Sarah will bring them, as well. But something struck me.”
    He looked at DeeJay a long moment, then at Cade. “These vics not only resemble each other—I guess that’s not