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

like.”
    “I’ve figured that out, sweetheart,” he said with a grin, his words surprising her. How had he known ? “But,” he continued, “I do need the pic to run background on him on my laptop.”
    “Oh. You can do that?”
    He leaned in closer, he lips brushing hers once more. “You'd be surprised what I can do. I have mad skills.”
    Swallowing hard at his implied sexual prowess, she blinked and turned to fish her phone from her purse. He moved slightly away, giving her a little space and she took a steadying breath.
    “Why do you want pictures, sweetheart?” she asked just loud enough to be heard by the people near the bar as she started clicking pics at the entrance, away from their suspect and working closer, one picture at a time as if she were taking random shots.
    “This place could give my brother some ideas for his pub in Cincinnati when he opens it. Don’t forget to get some photos of the bar and pool room.” Luke pointed around, giving her an excuse to get a picture of the hoodie guy.
    After a few more views of the pool room, she focused her attention on Luke, who had slipped cash into the check sleeve to pay for their meal. “What a great idea. Your brother is going to love these pictures.”
    A moment later Jeffers walked out of the men’s room and headed for the pub’s front exit. Almost immediately, hoodie guy slid off his barstool and followed the cop out of the pub. She’d been right. He was following someone, just not them.
    She lifted her phone and snapped another picture of hoodie guy as he walked past, hoping to get a better angle for Luke to use.
    “Come on,” Luke said, sliding out of the booth and grabbing her hand, nearly pulling her out with him. Cursing whatever insanity had caused her to buy the heels instead of just sneakers, she stumbled along beside him as he hurried out the bar to follow their suspect.
    “Dammit,” Luke said as the man climbed into a nondescript brown sedan and pulled out into traffic just behind Jeffers car. “I don’t suppose you caught his license plate number?”
    She closed her eyes and pictured the car. Nothing that identified its make or model. Standard Ohio plates. “Only part of it. ESC but he pulled out too fast for me to catch the others.”
    He heaved a sigh as he watched both cars turn the corner. “Okay, let’s head back to the hotel and I’ll run his photo. But I think our detective has a tail.”
    “Isn't it a good thing hoodie guy isn’t following us?”
    “For the moment, but I’ve got a bad feeling your friend stumbled into something nasty.”
    She looked at him like he was the class dunce. “I figured that out from all the blood last night.”

CHAPTER FIVE
    If the situation wasn’t so serious Luke would’ve laughed at Abby's quick response outside the bar earlier. He smiled to himself as he retrieved his laptop from his room’s safe. Abby never cut him any slack, that was for sure.
    Going through the connecting door into her room he nearly tripped over the cute shoes she’d worn earlier. He tensed, swallowing the growl that threatened. If he’d hadn’t insisted she be less of her practical self, she would’ve been in tennis shoes—a safer choice for both of them—and they might’ve moved quickly enough for her to get the entire license plate number.
    Stooping to pick the sandals up, he tossed them into the closet on top of the new sneakers she’d also bought and her more sensible accountant’s shoes. “Why did you get two pairs of shoes?”
    “Because they had two pair in my size.” She answered without looking up from her work
    “Do you always buy all the shoes in your size?”
    She gave a shrug. “My feet fit my height. It’s rare to find one pair in the store that are size ten, let alone cute sandals, too.”
    Her explanation sounded like she was talking to the town idiot and didn’t ease his frustration. “Don’t wear those again while we’re here.”
    “Why not?” She asked from the far bed