“I don’t know that either.”
“Can I talk to your client?”
“No, they want to remain anonymous. That’s why they’re paying me to talk to you.”
“Can you at least send me a copy of that picture?”
“If I could, I would have done it already.”
He gasped and stared over her shoulder. “Have you ever seen a spider that big?”
She whirled. “Where?”
He snatched the phone from her hand and texted the picture to himself. “Thanks.”
She grabbed her phone back and anger flared in her eyes, but then she laughed and shoved him playfully. “Spiders? That wasn’t fair!”
“Are you playing fair with me, Martine? What’s really going on?”
She grew serious and held his gaze for a long moment. “As fair as I can.”
“Anything else you can give me?”
Her breath was indeed minty fresh. “Just this.” Quick as a flash, she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “Good luck, Hez. Stay safe.”
Before he could respond, she got up and walked off into the warm darkness. Unease stirred as she sashayed away. She was trying to play him again, but what was the game? And how could he win it?
Chapter 10
The Saturday lunch crowd had mostly left by one thirty when the hostess led Savannah and Simon to a table at Mac’s Irish Pub. Simon paused to gawk at the dollar bills attached to the wall and pointed out pictures of celebrities. Watching his interest in every new experience was almost enough to push away her worry about the danger from Hornbrook. Would he target Hez with a bomb like he did Jess? Or had Hez been the target that time too?
She rubbed the gooseflesh on her arms as she glanced around the dining room for bearded, dark-haired men, then shook off the notion. The guy could have shaved or dyed his hair. And besides, God had a plan and living in fear wasn’t an option. A server carried a tray of food past, and the aroma of shepherd’s pie and Reuben sandwiches wafted in her wake.
Simon’s gaze followed the tray as he got settled on the bench against the wall. “I want one of those bussin’ Reubens. I haven’t had one since Fairhurst.”
He seldom mentioned his disastrous years at the London boarding school where Jess had kept him hidden. “I think this will be your new favorite place. I’ll order one for your uncleHez too. He’ll be here once he finishes at the Justice Chamber clinic.”
“Can I have root beer too?”
“Wouldn’t you rather have milk or apple juice? Those would be healthier.”
A calculating expression came into Simon’s eyes. “If I have apple juice, can I get dessert?”
She opened her mouth, then closed it again when a familiar profile caught her attention. Michael sat at a table by the window. She was tempted to rush out before Simon saw him but gave a slight shake of her head and lifted her menu. Michael might intimidate the school, but she refused to let him do the same to her. “Let’s see if you’re still hungry after your Reuben.”
The server appeared with two root beer floats on her tray. “The gentleman by the window sent these over for you.” She set one in front of each of them.
Michael twisted their way and lifted his hand in greeting. There was no way out of acknowledging him, so Savannah nodded stiffly. Simon was eyeing the root beer float in front of him and hadn’t noticed his grandfather yet, but it was only a matter of time.
Michael’s voice boomed out before he reached them. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite grandson.”
Simon turned and his eyes widened. “Pawpaw!”
“Mind if I join you for a minute?” Without waiting for an answer, he pulled out the only empty chair and settled in it. “I’ll bet you’ve never had a float as good as Mac makes them.”
The adoration on Simon’s face turned Savannah’s stomach almost as much as the thought of eating the treat hisgrandfather had paid for. She’d resolved to find out more about his relationship with her mother, but she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of twisting things in his favor. Jess had gotten her blonde hair from him, though his was going gray at the temples now. The man’s resemblance to Jess was likely one reason Simon had so quickly fallen under his spell.
Michael leaned back in his chair and smiled at the boy. “Are you excited at the thought of going to live with your father?”
