B00CZBQ63C EBOK (15 page)

Johnny took his cap in his hand, his shoulders sagging. “It was me.”

Chapter
25

L
aurie crossed her legs and jiggled the toe of her shoe under
the
cover of the soda fountain counter. The fragrance of fresh coffee had pulled her in from the sidewalk like a honeybee to an apple blossom. Since her father was still on nightshift, she hadn’t bothered to brew any this morning and had sneaked out early so as not to wake him. She’d had enough family drama for a few days.

She couldn’t deny the undeniable urge to see Daniel, again. And yet, since she’d walked through the door, she’d had difficulty meeting his eye.

Now, watching Daniel’s back as he poured cream into the pitcher, she felt a fresh shiver race through her.

What am I doing here?
Last night all she could think of was Samuel. Now she sat pondering Daniel’s back.

He straightened, turned, and passed the pitcher over to her with a hesitant smile. “You’re my first customer this morning.”

She tipped a small stream into her cup, careful not to let it run over the top. “I thought you had turned the soda fountain over to Marcie.”

“She doesn’t come in for a few hours yet. We don’t get many customers this early.”

She sipped the coffee, careful to keep her eyes on the cup and not let them drift back to Daniel. Every time she looked at him, she felt a needle jab her heart. They’d had such a wonderful time at the lake, but she’d barely spoken to him since. And that had been when she was here with Samuel.

He leaned on the counter. “How are those headaches?”

She glanced up at him from under her lashes, holding the cup in front of her lips. “I haven’t had any trouble with them lately.” She noticed the bruise on his face and nearly reached to touch it before she caught herself. “What happened to you?”

“A little late-night brawl. No big deal.”

The glint in his eye told her he was teasing, but she decided not to pursue it. Instead, she glanced over his shoulder at the clock. Twenty minutes until her shift. “You must have things to be doing. Don’t let me stop you.” She fingered the cup, half hoping he’d stay.

He did.

They spent the time talking about her work at the exchange and the customers at the pharmacy. Laurie marveled at how easy it was to talk with the man—no tension in the air, like the time she spent with Samuel.

Maybe I’m just more comfortable around gangsters.
She gazed at his long fingers as he tapped them on the counter, overcome with a sudden longing to touch his hands.

She finished her coffee and laid a coin on the counter. “I should be getting to work, I suppose.”

He pushed the coin back to her. “Keep it. I’ve missed talking to you. I’m sorry I was rude when you came in the last time.”

“It was awkward. I shouldn’t have come.”

“No.” He shook his head. “It was unprofessional of me. I need to apologize.” He paused, gazing at her. “I’d like to make it up to you.”

The hair prickled on Laurie’s arms.

“Let me take you to dinner tonight.”

She swallowed, words failing her.
Dinner with a federal agent one night and a rumrunner the next?

He leaned forward, palms against the marble counter. “Unless you had other plans?”

Her breath quickened as she gazed into his eyes. “No, I don’t. Not tonight, anyway.”

A smile spread across his face. “Is that a yes?”

Have I gone completely insane?
“Yes.”

Daniel hurried through his day and rushed out a few minutes early to change his clothes. After spilling some sulfur powder on his sleeve, he decided it would be best to not arrive smelling like brimstone.

He hurried down to the exchange, his heart swinging between joy and dread. Somehow, he needed to convince Laurie of Brown’s true nature without sounding the jealous suitor that he was.

Brown stood at the corner, reclining against his pretentious Studebaker. The government man’s fedora slanted to the side, his hands hidden in the pockets of his wool slacks.

Daniel set his jaw. Brown may look like a gentleman out for a jaunt, but he’d already convinced Daniel that inside the well-dressed man lurked the soul of a snake.

Brown straightened as Daniel approached, a smirk creasing his face. “Ah, Mr. Shepherd. Are you here to meet one of the girls?”

His words were like sandpaper to Daniel’s nerves. “As a matter of fact, I am.”

Brown turned and gazed at the squat brick building. “It’s a wonderful place”—a smile twisted the corner of his lip— “filled wall to wall with lovely young ladies. No better hunting ground for a man on the prowl.” He turned and faced Daniel, a dark look settling in his eyes. “Except perhaps a nursing college.”

Daniel’s throat tightened.
Brown couldn’t know about that.

“You went to the University of Washington, right?” Brown brushed lint from the hem of his jacket, his voice as slick as oil. “You must have spent some time around the nursing school.”

Daniel’s mind raced. What possible reason would Brown have for digging into his past? His palms grew damp and he slipped them into his pockets to discreetly dry them. “Yes.”

“And you worked in a Seattle pharmacy, too?”

“Yes.” The hair on his neck prickled. “How did you know that?”

Brown folded his arms across his chest and smiled. “People talk. I listen. It’s amazing what you can learn.”

At that moment, the door to the exchange opened and several young women exited the building, Laurie at the rear. She stood still while the others departed, her gaze flicking between the two men.

Daniel, still reeling from Brown’s revelations, held his tongue.

Laurie approached, her lips opening and closing like a fish struggling for a breath. “Samuel. Daniel. This is a surprise.”

Brown raised his eyebrow at Daniel. “Could it be that we are here to meet the same young lady? Now that makes things uncomfortable, doesn’t it?”

Laurie fingered her skirt. “Samuel, I thought our plans were for tomorrow night.”

“So they are.” He took his hat in his hands. “I just thought I’d come by and see if you’d like a ride home from work. But I see now that you already have that covered. I’m glad you are in such capable’’—he cast a pointed glance at Daniel—“and
experienced
hands.”

Daniel had misjudged the federal agent. Brown didn’t have the soul of a snake—he didn’t have a soul at all.

Brown nodded to Laurie and Daniel. “You two have fun tonight.” He inclined his head toward Daniel. “Treat her right. She deserves it.” A momentary smirk lifted his mouth as he turned back toward Laurie. “I have plans of my own tonight. I thought I’d take a long drive—see if I can find any excitement brewing.”

He took her hands and leaned down, brushing a kiss against her cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow, beautiful.”

She blushed and stepped back, but her eyes lingered on Brown as he made his way to his automobile.

Daniel’s stomach soured. The silence grew bulky between them.

A flurry of emotions played out in Laurie’s eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said, finally. “I didn’t know he would be here.”

Daniel shrugged one shoulder. “It doesn’t matter.” He struggled to sort out the conflicting sensations in his gut. Seeing her reaction to Brown’s attention made him want to turn on his heel and head for home.

And yet, the luminous blue eyes pulled at him. Daniel set his jaw, determined to wipe every thought of Samuel Brown from her mind and heart. Offering an elbow, Daniel forced a smile. “Shall we?”

Her cherry-red lips pressed together and she slid her hand into the crook of his arm. “I’m ready, if you are.”

He escorted her down the street, his gut still churning from Brown’s artful insinuations. How much did he know, and whom had he told? A cold chill swept over Daniel. This dinner with Laurie might be his last.

Laurie struggled to maintain her composure as she strolled down the street, her hand on Daniel’s arm. All day she had been thinking of this moment, but seeing Samuel waiting at the door had thrown her heart into a whirlwind.

She cast a quick glance up at Daniel’s face, the bruise on his cheekbone drawing her eyes.
I am going to dinner with a rumrunning gangster. So much for turning over a new leaf.

One thing was certain. She wouldn’t be kissing those lips goodnight.

The candles flickered, casting a warm radiance on Laurie’s beautiful face. Their conversation—stilted at first—dissolved into easy banter. Daniel took a sip of his water as Laurie spoke of summertime visits to relatives who lived on Orcas Island in the San Juans. He regaled her with stories about how he, Johnny, and the other boys snuck through the downtown tunnels, pretending to search for lost pirate treasure or rescue Chinese slaves.

By the time they finished dessert, Laurie’s face sported a ruddy glow that warmed Daniel’s heart. He dared to take her hand as they walked down the street to his Buick. A thin crescent moon swung low in the sky over the water, like a fishing hook angling for a big catch.

Daniel hated for the evening to end, plus he still hadn’t broached the unpleasant subject of Brown. “Would you care to go for a drive?”

Her fingers stiffened in his grip.

He cleared his throat. “It’s a beautiful evening. We could drive down the spit.”

“I don’t think so.” She hesitated and squeezed his hand. “But I had a wonderful time tonight.”

A cloud dropped over him. “I’ll drive you home.”

After pulling up to her house, Daniel cut the engine and the sputtering motor fell silent. The wind had picked up and a chilly breeze flowed through the car. “Before I walk you to the door, Laurie—”

“That’s not necessary.”

He raised his hand to bid her to wait. “I need to tell you something. Please, just give me one more minute of your evening.”

Laurie adjusted her hat before turning to give him her full attention.

He swallowed and pushed the words out. “You’re seeing Samuel Brown tomorrow.”

A shadow crossed her face and she pulled her hands into her lap.

“I think you need to know the truth.” He took another deep breath and blew it out. “He’s not what he seems. He’s a crooked agent.”

Her brow furrowed and she wove her fingers together in a tight nest. “What do you mean?”

“He’s been in the drugstore looking for a bribe.”

“He asked you for a bribe—for what?” She cocked a brow. “Why would you need to bribe a federal agent?”

Daniel brushed a hand across his face. “We don’t—I mean, we’re not hiding anything.”

She pursed her lips. “But he asked you for a bribe?”

“Well, not in so many words. But he was hinting.”

She rolled her eyes skyward.

He reached for her arm. “Listen, Laurie, I’ve talked to Johnny. He told me why you are seeing Brown. But I agree with him, you’re taking too big of a chance. The man’s—”

“I’m not listening to this.” Laurie grabbed for the door handle and pushed it open.

He grasped for her hand, but she bolted from the car. Pushing open his own door, he raced after her. “Laurie—”

She rounded on him, face flushed. “You and Johnny are two of a kind, aren’t you? You think you can control me.
Protect
me.” She stuck her finger in his face. “But you’re only protecting yourselves.” She sputtered. “Crooked? Look who’s talking. I can’t believe I agreed to go out with you. I’ve had enough of men who make promises with one side of their mouth and lies with the other.”