Read Online Spider Web by Earlene Fowler - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Earlene Fowler
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I’m outta here.” I feigned standing up.
“Don’t go.” He leaned forward, flattening his hands on the table. “You know that you’ll always be my unattainable dream woman.”
“That’s better,” I said, sitting back down. “So, are you working on any interesting cold cases?”
“Nah, same ole rusty dusty bones.”
I stuck three five-dollar bills under my plate and slid out of the booth. “See you tomorrow. I have to brave the dangerous, sniper-filled streets of San Celina and walk home.”
“You’re walking?” A line of worry creased the space between his eyes.
“I walked here. It’s only a few blocks.”
He stood beside me, helping me slip on my jacket. “I’ll walk with you. My car’s parked downtown next to Blind Harry’s. Had to pick up a book on California missions I ordered for Maisie.”
“Hud, there’s really no need. Go ahead and have your dinner.”
“Already ate. I was at the end of the counter. You didn’t even see me when you came in.” He pointed a finger pistol and shot me. “If I’d’ve been a sniper . . .”
I punched his arm lightly. “Oh, shut up.” I couldn’t believe I didn’t see him either. So much for my astute powers of observation.
“Who was that lady you were talking to? The tall one with the silver hair. Haven’t seen her around before.”
I busied myself with buttoning my jacket, tucking Gabe’s bag of cookies from Nadine in my pocket. For a moment, I was tempted to tell him about the car I saw at the Harper Ranch and Lin’s broken taillight. But I held back, not wanting to endure his teasing about my manufacturing a mystery where there was none. “She’s renting time on the potter’s wheel at the co-op. Just met her today. New friend of Amanda’s.”
He stuck by my side the five blocks back to my house. I had to admit it made me feel a little better, though he pointed out halfway to my house that I was probably in more danger walking with him.
“That is,” he said, when we arrived at my house, “if what everyone is speculating is true and the sniper has a thing about using law enforcement personnel for target practice. We don’t actually know that for sure yet.”
“Except you’re not in uniform,” I pointed out. Scout was standing at the front window waiting for me in the soft yellow living room light. His tail wagged hesitantly, not quite certain it was me. “How would anyone know you’re a cop?”
“By my confident demeanor and movie-star good looks?”
I laughed, the sound obviously traveling through the closed window to Scout’s ears. His tail went into full windshield wiper mode. “I hope someday we can find you a woman who can admire you as much as you admire yourself. It would be the perfect match. Thanks for the police protection. You’re a pal.”
He brought his hands up to his chest, feigning a shot to the heart. “Tell the chief hey for me and to pretty please catch the turkey shooter before he decides to go after the important law enforcement personnel in this town. You know, the ones with the badges shaped like stars.”
“No comment.” I was up the steps and unlocking my door when he called out one last remark.
“Ranch girl, you do know that you can tell me anything. You have any worries about . . . anyone, you come to me.”
I turned around slowly. He stood at the bottom step, his face sober. He had obviously observed my dash through the café to check out Lin Snider’s car, but chose not to mention it.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said, but brought my hand up in an assenting salute.
Once inside, I went over to the front picture window and waved. He waved back and started up the street.
Ten minutes later, when I was upstairs changing into my new favorite flannel cupcake-covered pj’s—an early birthday present from Elvia—the front door opened. Scout bounded out of the bedroom with a happy bark, running down the stairs.
“Hey, Chief Ortiz,” I called. “Want some hot
“Don’t go.” He leaned forward, flattening his hands on the table. “You know that you’ll always be my unattainable dream woman.”
“That’s better,” I said, sitting back down. “So, are you working on any interesting cold cases?”
“Nah, same ole rusty dusty bones.”
I stuck three five-dollar bills under my plate and slid out of the booth. “See you tomorrow. I have to brave the dangerous, sniper-filled streets of San Celina and walk home.”
“You’re walking?” A line of worry creased the space between his eyes.
“I walked here. It’s only a few blocks.”
He stood beside me, helping me slip on my jacket. “I’ll walk with you. My car’s parked downtown next to Blind Harry’s. Had to pick up a book on California missions I ordered for Maisie.”
“Hud, there’s really no need. Go ahead and have your dinner.”
“Already ate. I was at the end of the counter. You didn’t even see me when you came in.” He pointed a finger pistol and shot me. “If I’d’ve been a sniper . . .”
I punched his arm lightly. “Oh, shut up.” I couldn’t believe I didn’t see him either. So much for my astute powers of observation.
“Who was that lady you were talking to? The tall one with the silver hair. Haven’t seen her around before.”
I busied myself with buttoning my jacket, tucking Gabe’s bag of cookies from Nadine in my pocket. For a moment, I was tempted to tell him about the car I saw at the Harper Ranch and Lin’s broken taillight. But I held back, not wanting to endure his teasing about my manufacturing a mystery where there was none. “She’s renting time on the potter’s wheel at the co-op. Just met her today. New friend of Amanda’s.”
He stuck by my side the five blocks back to my house. I had to admit it made me feel a little better, though he pointed out halfway to my house that I was probably in more danger walking with him.
“That is,” he said, when we arrived at my house, “if what everyone is speculating is true and the sniper has a thing about using law enforcement personnel for target practice. We don’t actually know that for sure yet.”
“Except you’re not in uniform,” I pointed out. Scout was standing at the front window waiting for me in the soft yellow living room light. His tail wagged hesitantly, not quite certain it was me. “How would anyone know you’re a cop?”
“By my confident demeanor and movie-star good looks?”
I laughed, the sound obviously traveling through the closed window to Scout’s ears. His tail went into full windshield wiper mode. “I hope someday we can find you a woman who can admire you as much as you admire yourself. It would be the perfect match. Thanks for the police protection. You’re a pal.”
He brought his hands up to his chest, feigning a shot to the heart. “Tell the chief hey for me and to pretty please catch the turkey shooter before he decides to go after the important law enforcement personnel in this town. You know, the ones with the badges shaped like stars.”
“No comment.” I was up the steps and unlocking my door when he called out one last remark.
“Ranch girl, you do know that you can tell me anything. You have any worries about . . . anyone, you come to me.”
I turned around slowly. He stood at the bottom step, his face sober. He had obviously observed my dash through the café to check out Lin Snider’s car, but chose not to mention it.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said, but brought my hand up in an assenting salute.
Once inside, I went over to the front picture window and waved. He waved back and started up the street.
Ten minutes later, when I was upstairs changing into my new favorite flannel cupcake-covered pj’s—an early birthday present from Elvia—the front door opened. Scout bounded out of the bedroom with a happy bark, running down the stairs.
“Hey, Chief Ortiz,” I called. “Want some hot
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