Read Online Conard County Spy by Rachel Lee - Free Book Online Page B

standout; women wouldn’t crane their heads as he walked down a street, and that probably aided him most of the time. But he was still attractive, to her at least, and she wished she could have met him under ordinary circumstances. She’d love to get to know him better, and maybe even have an affair with him. He did get her motor humming, although exactly how she had no idea. Ryker hadn’t affected her that way, not even once. And the few men around here that she’d dated, well...those had been a flash in the pan. The doldrums had settled in quickly. It was nice to once again feel the sparkle of attraction, even though she imagined nothing would ever come of it. He was totally preoccupied with survival, and she’d be selfish to think of anything else.
    But... She smiled secretly. Maybe a one-nighter would answer a lot of other questions. As a teacher she had a reputation to think about, but she’d noticed the town tended to turn a blind eye when she dated. Folks here weren’t cruel, and most weren’t judgmental as long as people didn’t flaunt their peccadilloes. Quiet little affairs...more than one person had whiled away a winter that way. She almost laughed, considering the truth of that. It wasn’t as if all the married couples in this county were always faithful, but no one wanted to be at fault for causing marital problems. Unless, of course, it was their own marriage. Then the mess could hit the fan big-time.
    The phone rang, and she reached for it. She kept the base set on her desk and cordless extensions in her bedroom and kitchen. Every time she picked up one of these phones, she remembered her mother walking around the house trailing a twenty-five-foot phone cord coil that always managed to twist and knot. Phones had come a long way.
    â€œHello,” she answered and heard Ryker’s voice in response.
    â€œHey, is our friend around?”
    â€œWhere else would he be?” she asked wryly. “He’s wearing a hole in my rug. Do you want to talk to him?”
    â€œCan you put us on speaker? You might as well hear this bit.”
    â€œOoh, I feel privileged,” she retorted, and heard him laugh.
    He said, “She who shares the noose gets a piece of the action.”
    Then she punched the speaker button and said, “You’re on speaker.” She turned and saw that Trace had come to stand right behind her. A slight sweat had appeared on his brow, probably from pain.
    â€œI’m here,” Trace said.
    Ryker’s voice filled the room. “Just a small update. Mission accomplished yesterday. We tried your cell this morning and were sent directly to voice mail, so it’s probably dead. Your car hasn’t been towed from the accident scene yet, and probably won’t be until this storm passes. State police recorded an accident yesterday afternoon, no driver or passengers around, and they traced the vehicle identification number to one of you. So, buddy, you’re off the grid. At least, for now.”
    â€œThat’s good. I need some thinking time.”
    â€œYou know, I was trying to do that last night and early this morning while pacing with my cranky daughter.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œI realized how difficult this is going to be for you. You can probably cut off everything before the last couple of years, but that’ll still leave a lot of possibilities. Like you, I don’t know why anyone should be after me, but if I had a problem like yours I’d be pretty much at sea.”
    Trace lowered himself carefully onto a chair. “Well, I dealt indirectly with a lot more assets than you. Assuming this is an asset. And it must be, or the agency wouldn’t be helping him.”
    Julie interrupted. “What the heck is an asset?”
    Silence greeted her. Finally Ryker said, “Buddy?”
    â€œIt’s no secret,” Trace said slowly. “Assets are foreign nationals who help us. Sometimes in big