Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 126823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 634(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126823 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 634(@200wpm)___ 507(@250wpm)___ 423(@300wpm)
“I’ll bet you didn’t after your little show this morning.”
His eyes shifted to the Dobermans, and he cursed aloud. “Do you think you can scare me with your mangy pack of dogs? A bullet can stop them before they get within eight feet of me.”
She lifted an eyebrow but refrained from responding. She’d shoot him the moment he pulled out a gun. Were they within hearing of her cameras? They were definitely in recording range for video, and the cameras above the gates were aimed straight at them. She wasn’t certain of audio range.
Bale’s face twisted again into that same mask of malevolent hatred he’d shown for a brief moment in her café that morning. “Why don’t you pack up and leave? This is my town. I was born here. Raised here. We don’t want your kind here.”
“What exactly is my kind?”
“You know what you are. You stink of foreigners.”
“How strange, since I was born right here in the United States. My father was born and raised in Houston. His parents were born and raised there. His family goes back generations. Not that it should matter. Have you looked into your ancestry? Where you came from? Bale, your prejudice makes no sense.” She knew she wasn’t getting through to him. She could see the anger spreading by the redness creeping under his skin.
“No woman should be talking to me like you do, let alone someone like you. When I say anything to you, you shut the hell up and just listen. You do what I say. If you don’t, you may find your little café burnt to the ground with you and your wimp dogs inside it.”
“I’m reporting the threats you’ve just made to the sheriff.”
“Go ahead. I’ve got family in local law enforcement. Who do you think they’re going to believe? Me? Or you? You’d better get in line or you’re going to find yourself in a world of hurt.”
“It won’t matter. It will be on record, and if you burn down the café, they’ll know who did it, won’t they?”
“You’ll still be dead.”
Shabina shrugged. “We all have to die sometime, Bale.”
“You are really in for trouble. I’m going to make your life miserable,” he promised.
She didn’t reply, just watched him storm away. When she heard the roar of a vehicle start up, she stared down at the package on the bench. Had he put it there to lure her out of the car? Did she dare bring it into her house? What if it was some type of explosive?
She leaned down to sniff it and instantly recoiled. Oud perfume. The scent of Saudi Arabia. The powerful, sensual scent was produced from the aquilaria or agar tree. She stepped back, her hand shaking. There was no forgetting that scent. It could be found everywhere in the marketplaces. Luxury perfumes were made from it, as well as small packets for tourists. She opted to leave it right where it was, but she knew it was going to haunt her all night. The package was more upsetting than Bale, and he was bad enough.
Chapter Four
News traveled fast in Knightly. The café was buzzing with the latest gossip. Vaughn tried to keep from smirking as he faced Shabina over the counter.
“Sean lost one of his newbies. Mr. Fish and Wildlife big shot lost his protégé on the trail.” There was a tiny bit of a taunt in his voice.
“Vaughn, it’s a serious situation,” Shabina reminded. “I know you don’t like Sean, but it isn’t about him. Think about that kid lost out there. He’s been gone overnight, and no one has found him yet. They’ve launched a full search for him.”
“I know. I do know I shouldn’t feel gleeful over Sean looking like a fool, but I can’t help it. He’s such a jerk all the time,” Vaughn admitted. “I’m a bad person, Shabina. I’ll admit it. And so far, I haven’t said that a night spent in the spooky woods alone might do that Deacon person some good. He needs a few manners taught to him. If he wants to be Fish and Wildlife, surely he has some skills in the forest.”
“You would think so, but apparently his skills weren’t so good because he did get lost.”
“Um, Vaughn.” Patsy leaned in close, whispering as she picked up two plates. “You actually are saying that a night in the woods would do Deacon good because he needs to learn a few manners.”
Vaughn snorted. “Color me bad. I’m sure they’ll find him today, crying for his mommy.”
“Let’s get to work,” Shabina finally managed and turned back to the floor. She had no idea what else to say to that. Vaughn wasn’t going to give Deacon or Sean any sympathy.
She made her way to Raine’s table. This time Raine was alone. Vienna was head of Search and Rescue. She was the one who had organized a search party for the missing intern and was leading the search party now.