Read Online Never Say Spy by Diane Henders - Free Book Online Page B

the last of my cooling eggs.
    “Too bad I didn’t think to charge my cell phone,” I continued.  “Oh!  Can I get my phone back?  It’s a smartphone, and it’s got my entire schedule and contacts list in it.”
    “Tell me where you left it.”
    I did my best to describe the location, and Kane made a note in his notebook.  “I’ll ask the officers to check for it tomorrow morning when they’re back in the neighbourhood,” he said.  “We’ll retrieve it if we can, but you shouldn’t carry it or use it until we know for sure what we’re up against.  You should buy a disposable cell phone tomorrow.  Carry on with your story.”
    “Um... where was I?”
    “Walking through the neighbourhood.”
    “Right,” I mumbled.  My stomach was full, I was warm, and my entire body felt like lead.  I struggled to organize my thoughts.  “So I walked out into the neighbourhood like I owned it.  I didn’t want to attract attention, and the only plausible thing I could think of was a teenager coming home from a party.  That’s how I got to the mall, and that’s how the misunderstanding with Hellhound happened.  I think you know the rest.”
    “Yes.  Let’s wrap this up,” he said, closing his notebook.  I delved into my backpack for my wallet, but Kane stopped me.  “I’ve got it,” he said, handing the waitress a twenty.
    I was too tired to argue.  “Thanks.”
    “You’re welcome.”  We rose, and he waited while I pulled on my hoodie again and moved toward the door.  I stopped at the pay phone near the entrance.
    “Who are you calling?” he asked.
    “I’m going to call a cab to take me to a hotel and see if I can salvage some sleep.”
    “I’ve got a better idea,” he countered.  “Until we know more about who’s targeting you, I’d prefer to take some precautions.  I’ll drop you at a hotel myself.  It’ll be faster, and I’ll know where you are so I can pick you up in the morning.”
    “Okay, thanks.”  My head felt stuffed with cotton, and I was glad to let him call the shots.  All I wanted was safety and sleep.
    I sleepwalked out to his SUV and we drove in silence to Macleod Trail, where there were a number of hotels.  Kane chose one seemingly at random and pulled into the parking lot.
    “I’ll come in with you,” he said, rousing me from my stupor.  “I’ll register under my name, and I’ll come up with you so it doesn’t look like you’re alone.  Can you pretend to be Mrs. John Kane for a few minutes?”
    Something about that question seemed like it needed a smart-ass response, but I was too tired.  I nodded mutely and followed him into the lobby.
    The desk clerk was far too perky for four-thirty in the morning.  “Where are you folks coming from this late at night?” she chirped when Officer Kane stepped up to the desk.
    “We’re driving through from B.C.,” Kane lied easily, handing over his credit card.  “We had planned to be in by supper time, but we had car trouble.  My wife’s asleep on her feet.”  He laid a casual arm around my shoulders and snugged me gently against him.
    Memory stabbed me in the heart.  I’d almost forgotten what it felt like to be held like that.  A flash of pain must have shown in my face, because the clerk was immediately solicitous.
    “Ma’am, are you all right?” she inquired.
    Kane glanced down at me with concern, and I forced myself to sound wry.  “Just a back spasm.”  I slipped my arm around Kane’s waist and let my head fall against him.  “Are we done yet, Hon?”
    The clerk handed us two card keys and gave us directions to a room on the fourth floor.  We disengaged ourselves and wandered to the elevator, hand in hand.  Once the elevator doors closed, we stepped apart, not speaking.  My exhaustion temporarily forgotten, I tried to settle my whirling thoughts.
    Sneaking a glance at his profile, I swallowed hard and looked away quickly.  This man rang all my bells.  He’d never make the