Free VANISHED, A Romantic Suspense Novel (Edgars Family Novel) by Suzanne Ferrell

her mind’s camera lens, she zoomed in on his features. Dark brows, dark eyes, straight nose, mustache and goatee. Even the same pock marks from uncontrolled acne.
    It was the same man. He’d been outside Brianna's condo watching the police. Had he been looking for Brianna? Had he been observing to see who’d come to find the condo in such a mess and Brianna gone? Had he followed them to the hotel, then here?
    Taking a slow breath, she willed her heart rate to slow to a normal pace. She was a professional agent. She’d been trained to handle situations like this and right now she had the advantage. The man at the bar didn’t know she’d identified him. First thing, she needed to warn Luke.
    Gathering herself together, she exited the stall and washed her hands, then splashed a little water on her face. Once she dried everything, she took another steadying breath and studied the near stranger in the mirror.
    Slow, deep breath. You can do this. Calm, casual. Blend in. Concentrate on getting to the table. Do not acknowledge the suspect.
    She opened the door and let her gaze focus on her own table—on Luke. As if he knew she needed his strength, he looked up, his gaze locking on hers. Pasting on a smile, she concentrated on his face and headed straight for him.
    “Everything okay?” he asked when he stood.
    She leaned in and gave him a quick kiss, murmuring against his lips, “Of course, darling.”
    The hand he’d laid on her hip tightened slightly and she knew he’d gotten the message from her endearment that something was entirely wrong. Then he stepped aside to let her slide back into the booth, his eyes promising they’d talk as soon as they were alone.
    Detective Jeffers looked at the time on his watch before reaching for his check and sliding in cash to pay it. “I’m afraid I’ll have to cut this short, but if you think of anything your friend might’ve said that will help us, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Ms. Whitson.”
    “Of course. And you’ll let me know if you find…” She swallowed hard and blinked back the sudden burn of tears that threatened. “If you find anything.”
    “Edgars,” he said, shaking hands with Luke again before sliding out of the booth.
    Slipping his arm around behind her shoulders, Luke drew her into his warm side once more as they watched the detective leave the bar area and head for the men's room. Once they were alone, Luke leaned in and whispered in her ear, “What’s got you spooked?”
    She tried not to jump at the shiver of awareness that shot through her as first his breath then his lips caressed her ear. He was in character, a lover indulging in a public display of affection. She needed to remember that and keep up her part in their cover. Turning her head so her lips were mere millimeters from his, she murmured, “The guy at the bar in the hoodie.”
    “Ohio State cap? His body turned slightly away from us?” Luke kept his gaze locked on hers, the warmth of his eyes drawing her closer. He never even glanced at the bar.
    “Yes. I saw him before.”
    Luke lifted his hand and smoothed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Where?”
    “Outside Brianna’s townhouse last night. In the crowd across the street.”
    “Have you seen him anywhere else we've been today?” he asked without questioning if she was sure and how she knew she’d seen the man before.
    “No. I only saw him the one time before now.”
    Luke leaned in and kissed her ear, tugging slightly on her earlobe, sending more shivers of heat through her. Then he whispered, “Can you get out your phone and get a picture of him, but make it look like you’re taking pictures of the bar for some reason?”
    She pulled away slightly and turned her head to look at him, her gaze going immediately to his lips that were just a few inches from hers. Quickly she lifted her gaze to his eyes, which had deepened even more to a darker jade. “Um, I don’t need a camera to remember what he looks