Читать книгу Fugitive at Large - Sandra Robbins - Страница 12

FOUR

Jessica swallowed the last bite of her hamburger and took a sip of iced tea before glancing across the table at Ryan. She still couldn’t believe this was happening. Twenty-four hours ago no one could have convinced her that she would be having lunch today with Ryan Spencer. And yet here she was, sitting across from the man she’d told herself for four years that she hoped she would never see again.

As they had discussed the Harvey murder case and its link to the robbery and what was believed to be an attempt on Jamie’s life yesterday, she had found herself feeling comfortable in Ryan’s presence. Maybe she had been too quick to jump to conclusions four years ago. In all honesty, he had tried to explain his side back then, but she had felt so betrayed that she wouldn’t listen. Her brothers had always said she had a stubborn side to her sweet personality. No wonder Ryan had given up on trying to convince her she was wrong.

On the other hand, he’d had four years. Why had he waited until last night to try again to convince her?

“What are you thinking?” Ryan’s voice cut into her thoughts, and she sat up straighter.

Her face grew warm, and she picked up her napkin and wiped her mouth. “Oh, just lost in thought, I guess.”

A skeptical look flashed in his eyes, and he regarded her with an arched eyebrow. “Come on, Jessica. I always told you that your face was like a mirror to your soul. You never have been able to hide your emotions. Is it me? Are you still trying to make up your mind about whether or not you can be my friend?”

There was no use evading the truth. He was right. He’d always been able to read the expressions on her face. Maybe that was what had made them such great partners. The thought of their former relationship and how it had ended sent her heart plummeting to the pit of her stomach. Could she really put the past behind her and be his friend? And could she really work with him on a case?

She took a deep breath and tried to smile. “I listened to all you said last night, and I wish I had done that long ago. I didn’t, and I’ve had four years to ponder everything that was said between us.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “Still the same old Jessica, huh? Once you get something in your mind, you’re like a dog with a bone. You chew on it constantly, and the longer you do, the more you take ownership of it.” He leaned forward and clasped her hand on the tabletop. “I’ve told you the truth about what was going on with me then. I’m sorry that I didn’t handle things differently, and I’m sorry I hurt you. Why don’t you quit stewing about it and bury that bone. All I’m asking is to be your friend.”

She started to pull her hand free, but he tightened his grip. A tug-of-war was the last thing she wanted in the middle of a downtown restaurant, so she relaxed. Maybe Ryan was right. Maybe her brothers had been right, too, about her stubborn streak when it came to forgiving those who she felt had hurt her. And Ryan had fit into that category...until their talk last night. Now she was beginning to think she’d jumped to conclusions before she should have.

After a moment, she smiled. “I’d like us to be friends again, Ryan. I always enjoyed working with you.”

“And I liked it, too. I was really sorry when I heard you had left the department.” He released her hand, and she picked up her iced tea again. “Maybe if I had been more forthcoming about what was going on in my life then, you might still be a police officer.”

She took a drink from her glass and shook her head. “I don’t think so. All my family has ever known is the bounty-hunter business. It was just a matter of time before I joined my brothers at the agency.”

He tilted his head to one side and studied her. “Are you happy doing that kind of work? It sounds like it would be dangerous for a woman to take down guys determined not to go to jail.”

“That doesn’t sound a lot different from what I did as a police officer. But I’m careful, and I don’t take chances. I’m on the road a lot, so the job’s not conducive to much of a personal life. And I get tired of staying in motels and eating in restaurants.”

He smiled. “That must be hard for you. I remember how you used to talk about the kind of house you wanted and what the backyard would be like. You haven’t found the right one yet?”

She shook her head and sighed. “No. Maybe someday. What about you? You said you moved into the house your dad bought before his death. Do you still live there?”

“Yeah. All by myself now.” He chuckled and wiped at the condensation on the outside of his iced tea glass. “Of course, as soon as Jamie got to college he wanted to move into an apartment of his own near campus. So I’m left rambling around in a big house all by myself. I’m thinking of selling it and moving back to an apartment.” He paused and bit down on his lip.

Jessica pushed her plate out of the way and crossed her arms on the table in front of her. “What’s the matter?”

“I’m sitting here talking about my housing plans when I should be trying to find out where my brother has gone.” He pushed back the hair that had fallen across his forehead. “I can’t believe he wouldn’t tell me.”

Jessica sat still for a moment and studied Ryan. When she had last known Ryan, he was working to establish a good relationship with his brother. From the way they’d seemed yesterday, she suspected they’d been able to do that. If that was so, why had Jamie left town without letting Ryan know where he was going?

She picked up her napkin again and wiped her hands. “Do you know any of the people Jamie works with at the computer store or at the school newspaper?”

“Nobody at the computer store, but I met the student editor once when I stopped by the newspaper office. Why?”

“I was just thinking,” she said. “Maybe we could talk to someone at the paper and see if they could help us.”

Ryan nodded. “I think that’s a good idea. I’ll call and see if anybody’s there.”

He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and scrolled down to a number. The muscle in his jaw flexed as he waited. After a moment, he ended the call. “Nobody answered. They may all be in class or at lunch.”

“Why don’t we go over to the campus anyway. We might find someone in the building who could tell us when they’ll be back.”

Ryan smiled and glanced down at her plate. “If you’re through, I’ll get the check so we can go.”

He picked up the tab the waitress had laid on the table and pushed to his feet. A panicked shock ricocheted through her body. No, she couldn’t allow herself to let down her guard with Ryan. She didn’t mind helping him find his brother, but they weren’t about to renew the relationship they’d had before. Jessica put out a hand to stop him. “I’ll pay for my lunch, Ryan.”