“I don’t know if I’m being overly suspicious or not,” Renee confessed. “They don’t act like tourists. That was enough to send up warning flags.”
“A plan,” Calian murmured. “When you’re ready to leave, you go with Kansas and Dakota, and Matto and I will stay and see what the men do. If they follow you, we’ll be on their trail.”
“You don’t want to spook them,” Renee protested.
“Don’t worry,” Calian said. “They won’t know Matto and I are following them. I promise.”
“We could bet on it,” Matto teased. “If they don’t notice us, you can spend the night with me again.”
Renee snorted. “I haven’t forgiven you yet. I’m staying at my place tonight.”
“But you’ll have breakfast with us tomorrow at the Lanky Moose,” Calian said.
“I can’t afford to have meals out all the time.”
“Our treat,” Dakota countered.
“I prefer to pay my way,” Renee snapped. “That way I owe no one.”
“All we’re expecting in return is your company.” Calian radiated sincerity.
“You should give in.” Kansas beamed at her, and it made his brown eyes sparkle. “We won’t give up trying to feed you. You’re too skinny.”
Renee puffed up in indignation. “I’m perfectly healthy. There is nothing wrong with my weight.”
“I suspect you work too hard and you’re saving every cent you can in case you have to run again.” Matto cocked his head, his gaze watchful as he waited for her comeback.
She opened and closed her mouth and suspected she resembled a stunned fish.
“You called it, bro,” Kansas said.
Instead of wasting energy arguing with them, she reached for a handful of fries and crunched down on one. Hot and crisp. Delicious.
Calian picked up his drink and took a sip, his gaze thoughtful. “Did your detective check for links between Hunter’s death and the murder you saw? I know Hunter testified. Did you too?”
“Yes, we both did but from Los Angeles. Our names were out there so it would’ve been easy enough for someone to track us down. I don’t think it occurred to anyone we were in danger, especially since the original crime took place in Florida. The detective checked alibis of the guy’s family but they never left the state. No one saw the shooter who killed Hunter. It was a dead end. The cops had rumors and nothing to substantiate them.” Renee reached for more fries, her stomach gurgling. She’d missed lunch again, and they were right, dammit. She had lost weight she couldn’t afford to lose.
Talk drifted away from her problems. A relief. The more she talked about Hunter’s death and her leaving California, the more she worried. Her gaze kept roving to the two men who seemed happily ensconced at the bar.
“Renee, are you ready to leave?” Dakota asked.
“Sure.” Calian’s plan was a good one. At least she’d learn if her fears were groundless. And another concern ate at her. If she left Churchill, where could she go next? She’d hoped leaving the US would be far enough. New Zealand perhaps. She still had family there, but she’d need to travel with her real passport.
Renee forced her mind from what ifs and stood. She followed Dakota from the bar, Kansas’s presence at her rear a comfort.
It was dark outside. Out of habit, Renee did her normal checks for polar bears. Dakota lifted his head and sniffed, which was kind of odd.
“He has an excellent sense of smell,” Kansas said from behind her. “Come on. Let’s move. If those guys are following you, I don’t want them to get too close.”
“No polar bears. Not close, at any rate,” Dakota said. “Let’s go.”
Renee slowed her footsteps. “You can’t smell polar bears.”
Dakota slipped his arm around her waist and propelled her onward along Kelsey Boulevard. “I can. One day I’ll prove it to you.”
“Is he telling the truth?” she demanded of Kansas.
“Yes. Our hearing is exceptional too. Damn it.” He cursed under his breath. “I think they are following. Let’s up the pace.”
