Justified Means (Book One) (The Agency Files)
Page 27
“Are you sure?” Myla seemed doubtful but eager to leave. “Todd isn’t here and—”
“Get out of here,” Erika joked as she made shooing motions. “Go somewhere and get a change of scene. I’ll be fine.”
A glance at the serving area made her wince. Dropped lids, crushed cup sleeves, and drizzles of whipped cream littered every surface. With a glance at the door to be sure no one was coming, Erika grabbed a fresh towel and washcloth and started cleaning. A puddle of spilled coffee right in front of the register had nearly sent all three of them sprawling, but in seconds, she wiped it up and tossed the dirty rag in the bin. Just as she pulled herself up behind the counter, two familiar eyes smiled at her.
“So,” Keith Auger, kidnapper extraordinaire quipped, “I do believe I owe you a steak dinner.”
Irritated, Erika grabbed the can of whipped cream and sprayed it into his face. She waited to see what kind of response he’d have to that, and then shook her head when he asked, “Should I take that as a hint that you want dessert too?”
“You should take it as a hint that I don’t live by the adage, ‘better late than never.’”
“Name the restaurant.”
“Marcello’s in Fairbury. Oh, and I have questions for you.”
Keith’s knowing smile answered several unasked questions. “I thought you might. Friday?”
Erika nodded. “Do you need my address, or am I still on the watch list?”
“I could get it, sure, but I’d rather you gave it to me.”
For several seconds, Erika searched his face for something, although she wasn’t quite sure what. After what seemed like an excessive pause, she nodded. “Good answer.”
“See you Friday, then?” If she didn’t know better, she’d swear he was actually looking forward to it.
“Why did you take so long?”
“That’s an answer I’m not sure you want to hear.”
“Try me.”
She watched him wrestle with himself for a few seconds and then frowned as he shook his head. “Nope. If you want me to tell you why, you’ll have to ask me after dessert. On Friday. I’ll pick you up—assuming you ever give me your address—at five-thirty.”
“I’ll barely make it home. No time to change.”
“Then you can keep me waiting. Don’t women love to do that?”
Laughing, Erika nodded. She scribbled her address on a customer rewards card just as Myla and Jason entered the store, ahead of the first caffeine addicts from the next train, sending her into work mode. “Don’t be late. I’ve waited long enough.”
“I’d say we both have. See you Friday.”
Erika watched him leave the store, turn to head toward the subway, and then pause. He gave her a slight wave before he disappeared from sight. Now that was promising. He’d kept his word after all. Maybe real religious people did exist. Maybe.
Watch for the second book in The Agency Files, Mismatched!
Fairbury has a new resident—one they aren’t sure they want. When Chief Varney extends the invitation to an ex-member of the notorious biker gang, the Kasimirs, Fairbury’s citizens have mixed feelings. It might be his past associations with a gang involved in the drug trade and with a few members recently indicted for murder. However, Leo Haesert suspects it has more to do with the tattoos on his arms and neck and the holes in his ears.
When a local substitute teacher strikes up an unlikely friendship, people start talking. When they disappear in broad daylight one afternoon, people start accusing. And then things get really interesting…
Books by Chautona Havig
The Rockland Chronicles
Noble Pursuits
Discovering Hope
Argosy Junction
Thirty Days Hath…
Advent
31 Kisses
The Aggie Series (Part of the Rockland Chronicles)
Ready or Not
For Keeps
Here We Come
The Hartfield Mysteries (Part of the Rockland Chronicles)
Manuscript for Murder
Crime of Fashion
The Agency Files (Part of the Rockland Chronicles)
Justified Means
Mismatched (coming 2013)
Past Forward- A Serial Novel
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5 (coming 2013)
Historical Fiction
Allerednic (A Regency Cinderella story)
The Annals of Wynnewood
Shadows and Secrets
Cloaked in Secrets
Beneath the Cloak
The Not-So-Fairy Tales
Princess Paisley
Everard