Page 20 of Shine: Sins of the Father
“But how did you know they’d come here?”
“Their mother was in the courtroom every day of Donnie Ray’s trial, and I’m betting his brother eventually brings him here to see her.”
Her head returns to my shoulder. “I suppose you’re right. His mother would want to see him.”
I’m tired of talking about that scumbag. “You hungry?”
“Are you?” she replies.
“I’m always hungry. How ‘bout we take a quick shower and go find a place?”
“I’d like that.”
CHAPTER SIX
Fiona—
We take a quick shower, and Shine gets a phone call.
I towel-dry my hair and slip my shorts over my hips.
Shine’s phone vibrates on the dresser where he is sliding a shirt over his still damp body.
I motion to the door and whisper. “Hey, I’m going to the lobby to see if they have any recommendations for places to eat. Just meet me there when you get done with the call.”
He nods and slips out the sliders to talk.
I grab one of the key cards and go to the lobby.
The clerk looks up from his computer and greets me with a smile. “How may I help you, miss?”
“I was wondering if you could suggest a good place to eat.”
“I’d be happy to. If you want to try one of our iconic restaurants, it’s that place right across the parking lot. Hanzel and Gretel’s Pancake House. It’s a cheesy name, but the food it fantastic.”
“Thanks. Sounds yummy. I’m always up for pancakes.”
“Who isn’t?” He chuckles, then his attention shifts when new guests approach.
I tap my palm on the counter. “Thanks for your help.”
Moving out of the way of the new arrivals, I wander out the front doors and spot the restaurant with its gingerbread trim off to the right. I’m about to go back inside when motion to my left has me turning my head.
I spot two men next to Shine’s bike. One is standing, and when he catches me looking, he slaps the shoulder of the otherone, who is squatting near the rear of the bike. The other man immediately straightens.
“Hey, what are you doing?” I snap in a no-nonsense voice.
They immediately jump in a car that’s idling behind the bike. As they speed away, I catch the plate and dash inside to the front desk. “Quick, I need a pen.”
The clerk sees my fluster and passes me the one in his hand. I scribble the plate on my palm, toss the pen on the counter and dash for the elevator, mashing the button over and over. “Come on. Come on.”
I can hear it descending, and a moment later the doors slide open. Shine stands there.
The moment he sees the look on my face his smile disappears. “What’s wrong?”
“Hurry.” I grab his hand and drag him outside, then point down the road. “Two men were checking out your bike. One was squatting next to the back. When they saw me, they took off down the highway to the south.” I hold up my palm. “I got the plate.”
He grabs my hand, studying the number, then meets my eyes. “Was it a burgundy sedan?”
