Page 82 of Shadow Sabotage
“I’m sorry, Claire.” There was true remorse on Vance’s face. “This is my fault.”
“It’s fine,” I said, waving him off. “Come on. I’m starving. Let’s get some food and you can tell me about the cell phone.”
But his face darkened. “I agree about the food. But we have more important things to talk about than Katelyn’s phone.”
My stomach cramped. That didn’t sound good. “What is it?”
“Food first,” he said, his mouth set in a firm line.
So I followed him inside and tried not to think about all the ways my life was falling apart.
Vance stoodin front of the shiny wood bar, studying the chalkboard menu that hung on the back wall.
“What’s good here?” he asked, nudging my elbow.
“Everything.” My voice sounded oddly hollow. I fought to bring it back to normal. “I’m a big fan of the burgers. The salmon one is my favorite. But if you like red meat, the rest of them use a blend of bison and ground beef. They’re grilled fresh to order. You can’t go wrong.”
“Sounds good,” he mused.
Pete, part-owner of the bar, came out from the back, wiping his hands on a towel. “Oh, hey, Claire.” He eyed Vance.
“Hey, Pete. This is Agent Vance Weston from Wyoming DCI.”
Pete’s eyes grew big. “I guess you’re here about that girl’s murder.”
“Actually, I’m here for lunch,” Vance said, chuckling. “But if you know anything about what happened, I’ll take that, too.”
He was back to being the disarming detective with a charming smile, having somehow completely erased the anger and worry that had been on his face outside. He was so much better at that than I was, at moving easily in and out of character and using whatever he needed to gain information.
“I’m sorry, I don’t,” Pete had said, shaking his head. “Wish I did. First Rhett, then Cheyenne, then this.” He cut his eyes to me. “Wildwood doesn’t feel the same as when we were kids, does it?”
Vance shot me a questioning look. “What happened with Rhett and Cheyenne?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later.” I turned my attention back to Pete. “I’ll take a salmon burger. You know how I like it. Sweet potato fries on the side.”
“Sure. You want a beer to go with that?”
I shook my head. “I’m on duty. Just water.”
“Got it. What about you?” He turned to Vance.
“Same as her,” he said as he pulled his wallet from his pants. “Lunch is on me.” He fished out some bills from his wallet and slid them over to Pete, telling him to keep the change.
Pete’s face lit up as he calculated the generous tip. “Thanks. Find a seat wherever, and I’ll have it right out.”
Vance placed his fingers under my elbow and steered me toward a booth in the back, far away from any of the other customers—more strangers, I noticed. I still couldn’t get over how people actually came out here just because a murder had happened.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I said. “Again. But since you did, next time is on me.”
He ignored my words, motioning for me to have a seat. When he sat down across from me, that dark lookfrom the car was back. It was fierce, angry. Determined.
I swallowed hard, imagining that this must be what it felt like to be across an interrogation table from him. It was fascinating. He could be so charming, so easy to like and open up to when it served him. Or he could be completely intimidating when that suited him instead.
But I had no idea why he was turning that look on me. I hoped I hadn’t made some mistake that would earn a reprimand from him today on top of the one I’d received from Sheriff McGrath.
And if that was what I was in for, Ireallyhoped it wasn’t because of the way I’d kissed him, losing myself and climbing into his lap like I’d lost my ever-loving mind. Clearly, I’d crossed a line, and maybe his time away from me had made him decide I needed a reprimand for it. But he’d started crossing lines before that, telling me things that made my head spin. So if he was going to lecture me, well, then I’d lecture him right back.
I crossed my arms and put a stern look on my face, preparing myself.
