Page 204 of No Headlines Please

"Tell me something. The past five minutes, were you having a good time?"

"Sure. I mean, the ride's terrific."

He gave me a look and waited.

With a sheepish smile, I confessed, "Alright, fine. I guess I was a little edgy."

"Right. So let me ask you this. Would you rather be edgy for a few hours? Or a few minutes?"

I considered the logistics. "I bet it's been more like days."

"Meaning?"

"I'm just saying, it must've taken some time to find the guy and bring him here. That's not the kind of thing you do in a single day." I searched Maddox's face. "Is it?"

"No." His voice softened. "But I didn't want you to worry. And you know what?"

"What?"

"The guy's got a hell of a story. And before you think about jumping, you need to know something."

"What's that?"

"You're in no danger. Not even a little. Or I wouldn't have brought him here at all."

I was still digesting that little nugget when I spotted the guy up ahead, standing in front of a souvenir shop we'd visited just yesterday.

Even from a distance, I recognized his dark suit and rigid stance. As the carriage rolled closer, the rest of him came into focus – the squared shoulders, the same blocky build, and the same tight expression he'd been wearing all those months ago, when he'd been standing on my front porch.

But this time, he wasn't alone.

Beside him stood an older man, broad-shouldered and solidly built, his gray hair catching the afternoon light. The real Cal?

The one from the business card?

It had to be.

Neither of them called out as our carriage approached. They didn't shift or glance away. They just stood there, watching as the driver expertly stopped the horses so the carriage opening was directly in front of them.

I drew in a slow breath, steadying myself.

Apology or not, what, exactly, was I about to hear?

76

The Apology Tour

Delaney

The carriage had barely started moving again when the guy caught my eye and said, "I'm sorry, okay?"

He didn't sound sorry.

But he sure looked it.

Or maybe he just looked like someone in a hostage video. The jury was still out on that one, especially since he'd been giving Cal the side-eye from the moment they'd climbed in.

The two of them sat across from us, their backs to the driver, while Maddox and I faced forward.