Free Wanted By The Soldier Bear (Heroes of Shifter Creek 1) by Clara Moore

expectant frown. Fiona and Isadora gave her a look in return. “I don’t know if I’ve been listening this whole time.” She said then walked away.
    “ Roselli’s exploded this morning,” Fiona said, pulling Izzy to the side. .
    “What?!” Isadora yelled. .
    “Yeah, it seems they closed right after your lunch there. They didn’t open again for dinner, and this morning, they exploded,” Fiona explained.
    “Oh my god. I feel bad about criticizing the food then,” Isadora said sadly. “Do they know what happened?”
     
    “Not yet. I happened to be jogging by when the first responders came. I stuck around a little bit. I heard there were a few bodies inside they think might have been shot.”
    “Jesus. I wonder if it was the rude waitress.”
     
     
    “Yeah, well. I just think it’s a little weird that a restaurant with possible mob ties blows up the day after you have lunch there,” Fiona said.
    “What does that have to do with us?” Izzy asked.
    “Do you know anything about Doran’s dad?” Fiona responded.
    “No. He lives in Ireland, that’s the extent I know about him.”
    “Maybe you should ask his mom about it. I’m doing some research, but I haven’t figured it all out yet.” Fiona’s phone rang. “Excuse me, I have to take this.”
    Isadora watched her go, wondering what she could be getting at. Doran wasn’t her favorite person, but he couldn’t be a cold-hearted killer. Of course, he was a Navy SEAL, and they aren’t exactly the non-killing type (as far as she knew). She thought about calling her dad to clear things up, but he would never say anything bad about his pride and joy. She didn’t want to think about it - articles upon articles had to be looked over and designed.
    Fiona disappeared for the rest of the day, chasing down her story. Isadora worked hard to get her work done, skipping lunch to get done faster. Towards the end of the day, Adam stopped by her desk..
    “Hey Dora, how’s it going?” he asked, leaning on her desk. “Your compatriot seems to have deserted you.”
    “She’s chasing something,” Isadora smiled. “How are you?”
    “Fine. We got the paper printed, and it’s going out tomorrow. What do you say we go out to that dinner I mentioned? I noticed you didn’t do lunch today.”
    “I’d like that. I’ll run home and change and meet you somewhere?”
    “Sure. I have some finishing up to do anyway. How about that hipster bar downtown?”
    “Great. I’ll meet you there.” she said, smiling.
    She smiled again, checking him out as he walked away. Excitement flowed through her - she finally had a chance with him. She quickly finished up and rushed home. In her mind, she planned out her outfit. She’d have to take a shower, shave her legs, and look fantastic.
    “Isa, is that you?” her father’s voice came from the kitchen.
    “I’m in a hurry right now, Dad,” she responded. “Can we talk later?”
    “Do you know anything about Roselli’s ?” he asked, moving into the foyer as she tried to run up the stairs.
    “Fiona told me about it this morning. I have a date though, Dad. I need to un-awful myself ‘cause this is important.”
    “I just… wanted to tell you to keep a low profile for a while.”
    “Okay. I will try to keep under the radar of the paparazzi. Can I shower now?”
    “Of course,” he gave a slight smile and let her move further up the stairs. “Isa?”
    “Yeah?”
    “You don’t look awful. You never can. You have the best parts of your mother in you.”
    “Uh… thanks, Dad.”
    She continued up the stairs to get ready. Normally, she would spend a little more time ( okay, a lot more time) getting ready for a date, but she had to appear cool and not superficial. She braided her dark hair and put on enough makeup for the “natural look.” She wore a simple all black outfit and her favorite red flats. She rushed back out, avoiding her father and rode her bike to the bar.
    She had to stay responsible.
    Adam stood