Free Love or Justice by Rachel Mannino Page B

table, eating his breakfast, but she could tell he wasn’t reading anything. His eyes weren’t even moving on the page. Dante flipped the page, his brow furrowing in concentration.
    “How long have you and Cheyn worked together?”
    “Three years.”
    “How long have you been in the Marshals Service?”
    “Five years last May.” He looked up at her, taking a sip of his coffee. Okay, so he apparently didn’t want to talk about Cheyn.
    “Wow, five years. What did you do before that?”
    “I was in the police department in San Diego, and before that the Marines.”
    “Is that where your dad was? The Marines?”
    “Sort of.”
    “You said that last time.” Laurie smiled into her coffee cup.
    “He worked for the government.”
    “I think you said that too.” She leaned forward over the table on her elbows.
    Dante smiled at her. They stared at each other over their coffee.
    Laurie could feel the tight, exhilarating current that ran between them as they sat in silence. Laurie looked away, her nerves jangling. He defeated her in more ways than one. She sighed.
    “All right, fine.”
    Dante laughed.
    “Will you tell me about your mom then?”
    “She was a secretary and a very good mother.”
    “What made her a good mother?”
    He flicked his eyes up at her with a grin.
    “She made me French toast for breakfast.”
    Laurie laughed. They heard a car door slam. His smiled faded, and his eyes snapped toward the front door. Every muscle in his neck and shoulders tensed.
    “Stay here.” He walked toward the front door, and looked out the window.
    “Who is it, boss?” David entered the kitchen. He reached for his gun, and Laurie held her breath.
    “God damn it. It’s Evan James.” Dante turned to David. “It’s fine, David. I’ll take care of this.”
    Dante opened the door and left, banging it shut behind him. David relaxed. He smiled nervously at Laurie.
    She smiled back, releasing her grip on the table. Laurie picked up the plates and put them in the dishwasher. She tried not to notice her hand as it shook.
    David went back to his usual spot in the living room.
     
    ***
     
    Dante
     
    Outside, Dante ambled toward the two men advancing on him from the car. On the right was Dante’s boss. Middle-aged and gaining new girth, Rick had aged himself out of fieldwork. He had gone bald long ago. His rotund face was very pasty given the number of years he had worked and lived in Hawaii. The man on the left couldn’t have been more different. Evan James was tall and lean, wearing a full suit, contrasting with Rick’s haphazard, stained, white button-down shirt. Evan’s brown hair was combed to the side, touched with grey. His face was still boyish, but his blue eyes were all steel. As Dante stopped in front of them, he took a wide stance crossing his arms over his chest.
    “Rick. I didn’t realize you be dropping by today. Mr. James.” Dante nodded to him.
    “Mr. Stark. Is the girl inside?” Evan buttoned his suit jacket.
    “Laurie is inside, yes.” Dante tried to keep the irritation from his voice.
    “Dante is the best man in the Marshals Service, Mr. James.” Rick put a hand on Evan James’ shoulder. “Dante will keep her safe.”
    “I’d like to speak to her.” He addressed Dante, dismissing Rick entirely.
    Dante shot Rick a look, but Rick looked back at him with a helpless shrug.
    “I don’t think that’s advisable, Mr. James. Laurie is the only witness we have. This visit is highly unorthodox.”
    “I realize that. I would still like to speak to her. Director Hilton approved the visit.” Evan James pulled himself up straight.
    Dante looked at Rick.
    “It’s true. The director confirmed it to me by phone himself.” Rick nodded.
    Dante fought to keep his face expressionless and his exasperation in check.
    “I need to enter first, then. It’s protocol so one of my men doesn’t shoot you.” Dante turned and led them toward the house.
    He clenched his jaw. He did not like this one bit.