“You did notsee him conversing?” The boy again looked confused. “Talking withanyone,” she amended.
“He ain’tdoing nothing, miss, just sitting at a table playing cards withhisself.” His face brightened. “He’s drinking whiskey.”
Wild rage tore throughher. Sea. Earth. Breeze.
Exhaling, she murmuredher thanks and paid him the rest of his money, turning to regardthe saloon as he scampered off. So. Her suspicions were confirmed.Squaring her shoulders, she headed for the saloon.
The inside of the saloonwas surprisingly quiet. She would have thought it raucous no matterthe hour of the day or night. The tables were mostly empty, andthose that were occupied saw only one of their chairs filled. Aduet of women stood by the long bar, elbows on the counter as theystared out with bored looks.
Mr Wade still sat alone,dealing himself cards with a half-empty bottle of whiskey to theside. How…disappointing.
“Mr Wade,”she said.
His gaze remained on hiscards, his hat still disguising his eyes. He didn’t respond, thoughhis jaw tightened.
Seating herself, she laidher hands in her lap and waited.
Long moments passed. Shewas aware of curious eyes lighting upon them, but she would notbecome distracted. She wouldnotlose thisbattle.
“MizMcElroy,” he finally answered.
Triumph was brief. Hiseyes were still shadowed, his attention still on the cards in hishand. “What did you hope to achieve here, Mr Wade? You say you arebeginning your investigation, and yet I find you in a saloonholding cards and with whiskey on your breath. They said you werethe best. They said you always get your man. From my observations,this is not the case. Indeed, it appears quite theopposite.”
“‘They’, huh?They always know everything, don’t they?”
Ignoring his comment, shecontinued, “I cannot see how this is constructive. You appear tohave no plan or course of action and have instead taken the firstopportunity to drown yourself in liquor. Tell me I amwrong.”
“Are youquestioning my methods, darlin’?” His husky drawl dragged along herskin. Suddenly, she was aware of his outstretched leg, her skirtsbrushing against his calf. If she moved even a fraction, herstockinged leg would brush his.
Whatever ludicrousemotion he engendered, she ignored and focussed on the facts. “Youare seated, alone, in a saloon. It is early morning. There areseven patrons, including us, a bartender, and two women who Ipresume are ladies of the evening. You are dealing yourself cardsand appearing as if you are passing time. There is little else onecould conclude.”
Tipping his hat up, helooked at her through his lashes. She drew in her breath sharply.Dark brown eyes burned into hers, belying his relaxed form. She’dalways had the courage of her convictions. She would not allow himto sow doubt.
She lifted herchin.
The corner of his mouthlifted into a lazy grin even as his gaze intensified. “You knoweverything about me, do you, darlin’? You know my methods and howto go about collecting information. You know the best way to dothat is through observation, and even this early in the morning,there’s much to be learned. You know becoming a regular fixture,becoming a body people expect and look past, is the best way todiscover things. You know all of this, do you, darlin’?”
Doubt grew stronger.“I—”
“Do you thinka prissy, uptight city dweller sitting at this table is going tomake me unmemorable? Do you think this is the best way to learninformation in a way that won’t get back to Callihan?”
“Insulting meis not going to—”
“I’ve beendoing this a long time, darlin’. You hired me to do a job. I’mdoing it.”
Pressing her lipstogether, she folded her hands in her lap. Smirk still playingabout his mouth, he watched her, elbow hooked on his chair andcards dangling loosely in his hand.
“I do notdeal well with no information,” she said stiffly. “It may have mademe overzealous. I apologise.”
“I have myway of doing things, darlin’, and you’re disturbing that. Go backto the hotel. I’ll discover more without you here. Men behavedifferently around women.”
She glanced at the bored,half-dressed women.
“Women likeyou,” he amended
“You realisethat’s ridiculous.”
He shrugged. “Don’t makeit any less true.”
