Page 65 of The Scenic Route
He snorted into his cup.
“I’m just saying that we shouldn’t dismiss it completely,” she explained. “Let’s just keep it on the table as an option.”
“What are someoptionsless likely to get us killed?” he asked mildly.
Resting her elbow on the counter, she propped her chin in her palm. “If we can pick Dino up somewhereoutof thecompound, that’d be ideal. Who knows how many weapons they have in there, and the militia’s going to be extra twitchy with the murder investigation.”
As ifmurderwas the word used to summon her, Lou was suddenly in front of them. “Murder investigation?” she repeated in a hushed whisper. “Is it definitely a homicide then?”
“Back to work.” Felicity made shooing motions with her hands, urging Lou back to the line of cranky-looking customers. “You’re going to have a revolt on your hands soon. Never stand between caffeine addicts and their drug of choice. You should know that.” A couple of her sisters had taught her that. When Lou didn’t move, just widened her pleading eyes, Felicity sighed heavily. “We have no new information. If we do, we’ll immediately share it with you, customers or no customers.”
It was Lou’s turn to give an exaggerated sigh. “Fine.” Once again, she plastered on her shiny customer-service smile. “Nancy! Good to see you. Your usual?”
Turning back to Bennett, Felicity paused, trying to remember where they’d been in their discussion before the interruption.
Bennett frowned. “Not sure how we’re going to do that.”
Right. Getting Dino out of the compound. Felicity felt a renewed surge of guilt. “If only we could’ve picked him up in Vegas. That was ideal.”
“Not really.”
When she gave him the raised-eyebrow look she’d learned from him, the corner of his mouth crooked up.
“We would’ve had to drive back with him,” he finally elaborated. “Plus Yarran likely would’ve been a problem.”
“Still can’t believe the head of a militia doesn’t haveanyactive warrants.” Bennett’s points made her feel a little better about messing things up in Vegas, but it still seemed easier than somehow luring Dino out of the compound.
Wait. Luring…Her brain pinged with the start of an idea, and she sat up straight on her stool.
Bennett gave one of his “what?” grunts.
“Just thinking…” she said absently as she tried to tease through her thoughts to reach a workable plan.
Looking faintly alarmed, Bennett carefully placed his cup on the counter without taking his eyes off her.
“If we could lure Dino out somehow,” she said slowly, the idea still forming in her brain, “the way that the sheriff’s office at home sometimes sends out those fake ‘You’re a Winner!’ letters to everyone with an active warrant and picks them up when they come to claim their prize.”
“Doubt he’ll believe he’s won anything,” Bennett said thoughtfully. “Not with us right here.”
“True.” Still, it was worth a shot. “Lou!”
The barista immediately turned around. “Is there new news?”
“Not yet.” Some of the glow faded from Lou’s face, and Felicity felt oddly guilty. “Mind sending me Rory’s contact?”
“Sure.” Lou already had her phone out and was swiping at the screen. “Just so you know, Rory’s texts are quite abrupt.”
“I won’t be offended,” Felicity promised, amused, as she rattled off her number. Why Lou thought she’d expect Rory’s texts to be sunny and chatty when the woman wasn’t either ofthose things was a mystery. Her phone dinged with the contact. “Thanks.”
Hi Rory, it’s Felicity. Quick question—has Clint Yarran ever come into your shop?
It only took a few seconds for a response to pop up. At thebeep, Bennett leaned close to see her screen. She moved her phone a little so he could better read the text.
No
Felicity revised her rough plan in her head.
Any contact info for Cobra Jones?
