Circle of Fire (11 page)

So Mack thought the people behind this were in Taurin Bay, too. “Any suspects?”

The agent just gave him a toothy smile. “I want you to keep in contact with me. I want to know if you see this woman, or find any information. I want the people who did this alive and in prison. Clear?”

Jon wondered if the man knew he was parked next to Maddie’s truck.
Probably
, he thought, returning Mack’s hard gaze. “Very. Anything else?”

Mack’s gaze narrowed. “Don’t mess with me, Barnett. Not on this.”

Jon nodded, not moving until the agent had climbed into his car and driven away. Then he turned and made his way to the café’s entrance.

A woman opened the door as he approached, and a familiar tingle ran across his skin. He stopped at the base of the steps and studied the woman’s dark eyes. A brief flash of confusion, even fear, ran through her gaze. He didn’t think its origin was something as simple as being confronted by another shapeshifter in her territory.

Then she smiled. He couldn’t help responding.

“I do believe we’ve met before.” She tossed back her mane of golden hair, her voice as smooth as a fine malt whiskey.

Designed for seduction
, he thought. There was something about her that seemed oddly familiar, yet her eyes were dark, not the green of the cat he’d seen in the forest.

“Surely not,” he replied lightly. “I’d never forget such a beautiful face.”

Maddie, he thought with amusement, would probably have made a face at such an obvious line. Or dissolved into fits of laughter. This woman merely smiled, though he felt a wariness in her that matched his own. And it wasn’t the usual wariness of two shapeshifters meeting for the first time.

“Eleanor Dumaresq,” she said. “Perhaps you have time for a cup of coffee?”

He took her offered hand. Her fingers were warm and pliant against his, yet he felt the inner core of strength in them. The woman was more than simply a shapeshifter. Old magic swirled about her, so strong he could almost taste it.

He let his touch linger a little longer than was necessary and studied her eyes. Her gaze called to the wildness within him.

Old magic was the key—and the danger—Seline had warned of when she’d sent him to Taurin Bay. It was an image that seemed to fit Eleanor well. It could also be the reason why her eyes appeared a different color in her human form than as a panther. Yet there was nothing more than a gut feeling and the words of an old witch tying Eleanor to the disappearances. Nothing more than a hunch suggesting she was the cat he’d seen in the forest. Still, his hunches had proven more right than wrong over the years.

And
that
meant she was someone he’d have to investigate. But as much as he would have loved to accept Eleanor’s invitation and pursue the mystery she presented, he couldn’t. Not with Maddie waiting for him in the café. He didn’t want to endanger her by introducing her to someone who might well be involved in the attempt on his life.

“I’m afraid I can’t just now,” he said, glancing past her to study the restaurant’s interior. Why did he suddenly feel that Maddie needed his help?

“A shame,” Eleanor replied warmly, “but I’m sure we’ll meet again. Taurin Bay is such a small town, after all.”

He glanced at her sharply. There was definitely an edge of warning in her mellow tones. “I’m sure we will.”

In fact, he’d make damn sure they did. Eleanor might not be the cat he’d seen in the forest, or even the one in the inn, but something told him she was involved in the disappearances. The brief flash of confusion in her eyes the moment they’d met told as much. As did the shimmer of hate that shone through her aura.

He watched her walk away, then quickly entered the restaurant.

“M
R
. S
TEWART, WHAT A SURPRISE TO SEE YOU HERE.
” M
ADDIE
forced a smile and hoped she didn’t look as nervous as she felt.

“I was about to say the same thing.” He dragged out a chair and sat down opposite her. “This restaurant is not the usual tourist destination.”

“My sister recommended it,” she said quickly, then silently cursed her own stupidity. Any mention of Jayne and Evan was suicidal if this man was involved with her nephew’s disappearance.

“Really? Does she come here often?”

Though Hank’s question was casual, she couldn’t miss the edge of tension around his thin mouth. She
nodded, lowering her gaze as she took a quick sip of her drink.

“What’s her name? Maybe I know her.”

“Jayne Smith,” she replied, knowing her sister had visited Taurin Bay only under her married name of Gaskell.

The dangerous light in Hank’s eyes faded. He sat back in the chair and lightly toyed with a knife. She suddenly felt like a mouse facing a large and hungry cat.

“The only Smith I know is the lovely young lady now sitting opposite me.”

He meant to flatter her, but he only succeeded in making her feel ill. She pushed the rest of her milkshake away and gathered her bag. She’d be damned if she’d wait any longer for Jon—especially if Hank intended to keep her company.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Stewart, but I really must go.”

“No time for another drink? It would give me a chance to apologize for my abrupt behavior this morning. You might even find yourself enjoying my company.”

She forced another smile and shook her head as she stood. “I’m sorry, but I really have to leave.”

“Why? Are you meeting someone?”

Her gaze jerked to his at the question.
He knows
, she thought, studying his eyes.
He knows I’m involved with Jon somehow. I should have stayed home, stayed safe
.

But being safe wouldn’t find Evan.

“What business is it of yours?” she retorted tightly, her fingers clenched against the strap of her handbag.
“Do you usually take this much interest in the inn’s guests?”

He smiled lazily. “No. Just the exceptionally pretty ones.”

The man was a sleaze, whether or not he was involved with Evan’s disappearance. “I’m sure the inn’s owners will be pleased to discover that you take such an interest.”

He laughed, white teeth flashing, and her stomach turned. Evil haunted the depths of his laughter. Maddie swallowed and looked away. What on earth made her think that? God, she needed a drink!

She licked her lips and tried to ignore the thought as she watched Hank warily.

“I’m only kidding, my dear,” he said with a lazy smile. “No need to get nasty.”

Despite his conciliatory manner, the amused light in his eyes told her he wasn’t worried by her threat. Why? Did he have some kind of hold over the owner? Or was the owner somehow involved in Evan’s disappearance?

“Madeline Smith? Maddie? Is that really you?”

She jerked around at the sound of Jon’s voice. He was threading his way through the tables, wearing a black leather jacket that emphasized the lean strength of his shoulders and the brightness of his golden hair. His gaze met hers for a moment, and fear ran briefly through her heart. Despite his easy smile, there was a light in his eyes that made him look very dangerous. But she’d never been more relieved to see anyone in her life.

“Fancy meeting you here.” He stopped beside her. His eyes held a warning as he lightly kissed her cheek.

She cleared her throat and tried to ignore the warm tingle his lips left on her skin.

“It’s been a while,” he continued. “What, six, seven years?”

She nodded, going along with his game. “You’re lucky you caught me here at all. I was just leaving.”

A hint of a smile tugged at his lips, but she sensed his attention was on Hank, not her.

“Surely you can stay for a cup of coffee?” He pulled out the chair she’d just vacated. “Don’t believe we’ve met,” he added, holding his hand out to Hank. “Jon Barnett.”

“Hank Stewart.”

“Really?” Jon said, the surprise in his voice at odds with the slight narrowing of his gaze. “You’ve changed. You look nothing like the photo that appeared in the
Gazette
article a year ago.”

“Ah.” Hank’s smile was easy despite the wariness in his eyes. “That was my older brother, Tim. He fills in for me quite often, and happened to be on duty the day the photographer came. Just as well, too. He’s more photogenic than me.”

The tension levels rose a notch. “Really?” Jon said to Hank. “Odd that we haven’t seen him around much lately, then, isn’t it?”

“Unfortunately, he was killed in an accident not long after that article appeared.” Hank shrugged and rose to his feet. “It’s been a delight, Miss Smith. Maybe we can do this again another day.”

The predatory light in his gaze belied the blandness of his smile. She edged a little closer to Jon. “Sure.”
When hell freezes over
.

“See you back at the inn, then,” Jon said.

“That you can be assured of,” Hank murmured. He nodded to Maddie and walked away.

She waited until he’d left the restaurant, then grabbed Jon’s arm, pulling him around to face her.

“What the hell was that all about?”

“You needed help, didn’t you?” he replied mildly. He sat down at the table and reached across to her half-finished milkshake. “May I?”

She nodded. “What made you think I needed help? And why show yourself to Hank? He might be involved with the attempt on your life.”

“He might be. Or he might not.” Jon shrugged and took a long drink.

She frowned. “Why on earth were you going on about that
Gazette
photo?”

Again he shrugged. “Just stirring the pot, so to speak.”

Jeez, he could be so damn infuriating sometimes! “Will you just answer my questions?”

“No.” He pushed the empty shake container away and sat up straight. “Why didn’t you tell me your brother-in-law was a cop?”

She blinked in surprise. “What has that got to do with anything?”

“Plenty. He’s reported you missing and claims that you may know more about Evan’s disappearance than what you’re admitting—especially since you seem to have been aware of it before it happened. The cops, as well as the FBI, are sniffing around Taurin Bay looking for you.”

Trust Steve to do something like that. And obviously, Jayne hadn’t mentioned the fact that she’d
asked Maddie to search for Evan. “Why is everyone in Taurin Bay? Why are you?”

“Because the bodies of several missing teenagers have been found nearby.” He hesitated, his gaze searching her face. “And you didn’t answer my question.”

“I didn’t think it was important enough to mention.” And she didn’t think Steve’s hatred for her would blind his common sense. Damn it, it wasn’t as if this were the first time she’d had a vision concerning Evan. Steve certainly knew about these visions, even if he didn’t acknowledge them—or her. He’d even seen them hit her a couple of times.

But he also knew about her shady history with sudden disappearances. Maybe, in his fear for Evan, he was grabbing at straws. Maybe it was easier to believe she might have been involved in taking his son simply because it would make the chances of Evan coming back alive greater.

She rubbed her eyes wearily. How was she going to avoid the police and still find Evan? Lord, another round of questioning was not what she needed right now! She’d had more than her fair share when Brian had disappeared. Nor had the questioning stopped when they found his remains among the smoking ruins of their house. She knew some of the investigators still suspected she’d killed him, even though his death had eventually been classed as accidental. And they weren’t far wrong in their accusations, either.

“I’ll go call him right now.” Or at least she’d call Jayne, and see if her sister could convince Steve to get his police buddies off her tail.

“I wouldn’t.” Jon caught her hand, his fingers
warm and gentle against hers. “Your brother-in-law might know you’re not directly involved in Evan’s absence, but the fact of the matter is you did warn them of the disappearance before it happened. They’ll want to know how and why, and they will question you until you tell them.”

She closed her eyes. “And waste everyone’s time in doing so.”

“Exactly. We’re all caught in a no-win situation.”

And Jon was going to use it to keep her out of the way of his investigations. A flicker of anger curled through her stomach. Doing what other people thought was best for her had never worked. She’d married Brian only because Jayne had convinced her he was the safe harbor she needed. How wrong they’d been! And Brian had died because of their foolishness.
Though didn’t his ruthlessness have something to do with that as well?

She ignored the thought and pulled her hand from Jon’s. “I’m not going back to the inn.”

“Maddie—”

She held up her hand, cutting him off angrily. “No. I’m staying with you. I’m going to find Evan even if I have to avoid every cop in the country to do so.”

He raised an eyebrow and leaned back in his chair, a grin twitching the corners of his generous mouth. “Can I finish now?”

She glared at him and didn’t reply.

His smile broke free, doing odd things to her stomach. Yet his bright eyes held a thoughtful note that calmed her rising anger. He
was
taking her seriously, despite his outward appearance.

“I can’t let you go back to the inn, not after I’ve just
confronted Hank. And I don’t want the cops to get hold of you, either, simply because interviewing you will take them away from tracking the real criminals. So like it or not, I’m stuck with you.”

What a great way to put it! She held out her hand. “A partnership, then? No more trying to get rid of me?”

“A partnership could be dangerous. The less you know, the better off you’ll be. I’m only trying to protect you.”

“Protect me from what? Death?” She laughed bitterly. “Believe me, I’ve faced death, and it doesn’t scare me. Not half as much as I …”

She broke off. Heat crept through her cheeks as she stared at him. She’d done it again. Confused his words with past pain, and in the process, had almost revealed entirely too much.

She had to get a grip on herself. She couldn’t let her emotions run loose. People died when she did.

She took a deep breath and met his narrowed gaze.