Free Risk of a Lifetime by Claudia Shelton Page B

“Kennett, call the Crayton Hardware store and have them hold all their tarps just in case we get some rain before the investigators are finished. In fact, take a couple of guys over and pick them up.”
    “Before I go, I’ve got something to say about the tattoo parlor theory.” Kennett took a deep breath and blew out a long sigh. “Cross’s is a second-generation business. Never had any trouble with them as long as I’ve been here.”
    Sounded the same as when JB’d been the deputy of Crayton.
    The rookie’s clear voice rumbled strong. “Second, the owner got called out of town two days ago because his father had a heart attack on a hunting trip in the Canadian outback. They went to bring him home. They weren’t lured out of town.” Kennett thumbed his finger at the debris. “So Special Agent Landon may want to rethink his assumption.”
    JB nodded his aching head and cleared his vision momentarily. The rookie was okay. He’d keep him in mind when knowing who to trust came to the forefront. A lawman never knew when he’d need someone not afraid to say what they think.
    Landon stepped up beside JB as they watched the police walk away. “So, what’s your take on this?”
    “Nobody better try to tell me it was a faulty water heater or a propane leak. Not unless they’ve got good evidence, and nothing else is in the pipeline of possibilities.” JB might not be cozy with this agent, but anything he could do to get info, he’d do, including sharing theories. “You?”
    “Like I said before, it’s a damn shame you quit the Bureau.” The man smirked, then turned and walked away.
    Sonofabitch. Guess he needed to work on his let’s-be-friends attitude if he wanted any answers from him.
    Landon stopped and glanced back. “By the way, how’s your wife doing after this?”
    “Ex-wife.” JB wondered why the man was concerned with the health of Marcy. “Fine.”
    “Tell her I asked about her. Hope she’s okay.”
    No way in hell would he mention Landon to her. “I don’t think that’s a good idea seeing as how you didn’t exactly make a shining impression the first time you met.”
    Landon stepped to leave. “You’re probably right. Forget I brought it up.”

Chapter Eight
    Marcy glanced at the kitchen clock one more time as she braced her foot on the chair rung, bouncing her toes in time with the passing seconds. JB never knew the meaning of a short meeting or assignment when he had been a Crayton deputy and evidently hadn’t learned in the time he’d been gone. She didn’t plan to let herself be overcome with wild what-ifs like she had three years ago when he didn’t show up for two days, though.
    If he didn’t show up soon, she planned to dump the pot of minestrone she’d made earlier into a few containers, stick them in the freezer, and go to bed.
    After pouring another cup of coffee, she devoured her third cupcake. Moist, yellow cake with chocolate, fudge icing just the way JB liked them. So much for letting her emotions get in the way of her better judgment. For all she knew, he’d left town and wouldn’t be seen for another three years. She peeled the paper from another cupcake, ate the icing, and tossed the rest in the trash.
    The slam of JB’s truck door interrupted her thoughts. She’d make him have to ring the bell while she took her time in answering and considered whether to unlock the door or not.
    Easy as anything, he stepped inside. She jerked to her feet, frowning, eyes rounded, and mouth open.
    “You forget I still have a key to our house.” He grinned along with his gotcha wink. “I’m surprised you didn’t change the locks when you divorced me.”
    “I’ll get that done first thing in the morning.”
    “No need. If you want the key, I’ll give it to you.” He walked into her space. Braced his arms on each side of her against the kitchen counter. Leaning toward her ear, his breath whispered through her hair. “Do you want the key, Marcy? Should I leave it on