Gabe stared at her like he was trying to see through her skin to the truth underneath. Reading her face for tells she'd learned to hide years ago.
"You ran from me."
"Hello? You grabbed me in the dark! Plus, I didn't know if I could trust you. You're FBI. For all I know, my ex has connections in law enforcement. He always finds me. How do I know you're not working with him?"
Something flickered in his eyes. Not quite belief. Not quite dismissal either.
"If your ex is that dangerous, why stay in a small town? Why make yourself visible with a business on Main Street?"
"My great aunt left me the bakery. I figured it was an opportunity to stop running. I thought Haven Cove was far enough away. Small enough that I could disappear." Her voice cracked on the last word. Real emotion bleeding through the fiction. "I just want to be left alone."
Another pause. Longer this time.
Gabe's jaw worked like he was chewing over her story. Testing it for holes. Looking for the places where it didn't quite fit.
Finally, he spoke. "The notebook. Now."
Cara moved to the door. Pushed it open. Walked to the counter with Gabe right behind her.
She pulled open the drawer and grabbed the notebook. Turned. Shoved it against his chest.
"There. Take it. Maybe it'll help you find your brother."
Gabe caught it automatically. Stared at her for a long moment.
"If I find out you're lying about this. If I discover you're involved in whatever got Ruiz killed?—"
"I'm not."
"Then you have nothing to worry about." But his eyes said he didn't believe her. Not completely. "Stay in Haven Cove. Don't leave town. I may have more questions."
"Okay."
He moved toward the exit. Stopped with his hand on the door.
"And Cara? Get better locks. If your ex is really that dangerous, those windows are a liability. Any amateur could get through them."
The words carried a double meaning they both understood.
I know you picked that lock. I know you're trained. I know you're lying.
Then he was gone.
Piper burst through the kitchen door before the front bell stopped ringing. "Oh my gosh. That was so intense. What did he say? Are you in trouble? Did you see how he looked at you?"
"Piper." Cara forced a smile that felt like it might crack her face. "Not now."
"But—"
"Please."
Something in her voice must have gotten through. Piper'sexpression shifted from curiosity to concern. "Okay. Yeah. I'll just... clean the pastry case."
She disappeared back toward the front.
Cara followed, heading to the window and watching Gabe cross Main Street.
He wasn't fooled by her story.
