Present Danger by Elizabeth Goddard (shoe dog free ebook .txt) 📗

made trafficking artifacts? Native American or otherwise?”

Terra sipped her water before answering. “I wouldn’t think it would be worth murder. Especially not two murders. But this Middle Eastern item, I have no idea. I’ll look into it, but I suppose it’s about what collectors are willing to pay. Collectors and auction houses.” Terra had a lot more work to do.

“And the money paid goes to individuals? Or . . . certain nefarious organizations?”

She nodded. “I know where you’re going with this. Like guns and drugs, anything that can make money can fund the cause of terrorism.”

And her brother was definitely not involved in funding a cause he’d lost his leg fighting against.

FORTY-FOUR

Jack finished his coffee while he watched Terra head out the door and get into her vehicle. A call had come through, and she’d used it as her excuse to end their breakfast together.

He would sit there until he worked off his mounting irritation. She’d been angry, though not necessarily at him. More like frustrated with the path their investigation was taking. The possibility of Leif being a murderer was drawing them much too close to home—Terra’s home, specifically. And that had been enough to douse the spark of growing affection between them. Terra was unwilling to even consider her brother’s involvement. She could be too close to this investigation. But there wasn’t enough information to say one way or another. Not yet.

So much for working with her today. And where would the two of them be on the other side of this? He sure hoped Owen wasn’t involved, for Terra’s sake.

He reached over to grab a slice of the bacon she’d left on the spread he’d ordered for her and grinned as he thought about that look on her beautiful face.

That had been priceless.

His cell rang. “Tanner here.”

“Hey, Jack. Deputy Sarnes. I’ve got something for you.”

Jack sat up. “I’m listening.”

“I have a friend who overheard a conversation at a bar.”

The waitress approached again and started clearing Terra’s plates. Jack eyed her. “I’m still working on it.”

She smiled and refilled his coffee cup.

“You’re still working on it? How do you even know what I’m going to say?”

“Not talking to you. I was . . . Just tell me.”

“Bartender down at the bar called Bar Wars mentioned he hadn’t seen a guy in a few days. Comes in every night and takes up a whole booth for a couple of hours. Keeps it all to himself. The regulars know not to sit there ’cause Blevins is coming. You know, like a church pew.”

Um, okay. “Go on.”

“Bartender says Blevins hasn’t been in. Says another guy took his place.”

“Yeah? So?”

“He thinks it’s strange. Something’s going on. I was going to go by and ask around myself.”

“And why don’t you? I have my hands full with the murder investigation.” And Terra Connors.

“Well, see, that’s the thing. There could be a connection.”

“So far I don’t see it.”

“Neva Bolz was in there. She met with Blevins once or twice. But if you want me to—”

“No. I got it. You did the right thing to bring this to me.”

Jack pulled bills from his wallet and laid enough on the table to cover the bill and a good tip. “What bar did you say it was?”

“Bar Wars.”

Jack knew the place. An odd establishment for this part of the world, if you asked him.

“And the bartender’s name?”

“Now, to be clear, my friend won’t want his name brought up. And if you start asking questions, the bartender will get suspicious.”

“Sarnes, two people have been murdered. I’m trying to stop the madness before someone else is killed.”

Sarnes sighed. “You’re right. I thought you could stake it out instead of asking questions. But if you need to know, the bartender is called Billy Dee. You know, like that Star Wars actor.”

Jack scratched his head. “No, which one?” Shoot, why had he asked that? He didn’t care.

“Lando. The Empire Strikes Back.” The deputy snorted. “The bar is like a tribute to Star Wars. Posters and memorabilia. Makes it interesting. The bartenders and waitresses have Star Wars names. One of the movie actors has a ranch in the county. Didn’t you know that?”

“No.” Jack had been away for too long and still clearly had some catching up to do. “Listen, thanks for the tip. So, I go ask for Lando. No, wait. Billy Dee, like the actor instead of the character.”

“Right. Billy Dee.”

“Anything else?”

“No.”

“In the meantime, let’s start looking for Blevins. See if he’s home but hasn’t gone to the bar as usual. Find out everything you can about him. I’ll be the one to question him, though.” This Blevins guy could be a witness, suspect, or . . . a victim.

If Terra had waited a few more moments, she could have learned about his conversation too. He’d check up on this lead, and if it went anywhere, he would let her know. Part of him wished she wasn’t involved and they weren’t collaborating, but the artifacts and murders were tied together.

Since Bar Wars was a couple of blocks down the street, he took the opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise. Would the place even be open at ten-thirty in the morning?

At the door, he pushed and pulled, but it was locked.

A bulky man—midfifties, graying yellow hair—slowly walked toward him and stopped at the door. “Can I help you?”

“I don’t know. Can you get inside the bar?”

He produced a key. “That, I can do. But we don’t open until eleven o’clock. You’ll have to wait.”

Jack hadn’t wanted to throw around his weight, but he didn’t have time for this. He flashed his credentials.

The man quickly covered his frown with a smile.

“What?” Jack asked.

“Talking to the cops is bad for business.” He opened the door.

Jack stepped into the dark, waiting a few seconds for his eyes to adjust. “I don’t see why it’s bad for business. You’re not doing anything illegal, are you?”

The man moved to stand behind the bar and crossed his arms. “No, I’m not. But the way I see it, people come