Page 63 of Solid as Steele
“Is it only the three of them on their team?”
She shook her head. “Started out that way, but now there are six guys. I think two of the other guys are brothers. I’m not sure if the third guy is too, but I think he was in the military with one of the Maddox brothers. I know they’re all former law enforcement or military.”
“If they’re all as capable as Ryan, then they’re a good team to have if you need to head out into Oregon’s vast wilderness.”
“Actually, people from all over the country come to them for survival training.”
“Bigger operation than I expected.” Owen’s attention was grabbed by Ernie’s Bar and Grill’s flashing red neon sign coming to light and cutting into the darkness like a beacon.
Owen’s stomach rumbled. “Let’s get something to eat, and we can ask the staff about Cassie too.”
“You don’t have to ask me twice.” She chuckled and hurried ahead of him down the street.
They entered the dim building with older furnishings and a worn wooden floor. The sign said to seat themselves. Owen led Mackenzie to a private booth in the back. She took a seat facing the door, and he scooted in next to her.
She raised her eyebrow at him.
“You know I can’t sit on the other side any more than you can.” He—like other law enforcement officers—developed habits on the job. One was never sitting with their back facing the door so they could see any trouble coming.
“You should see when my family goes out to eat together. We race to get the seats facing the entrance.” She laughed.
They both grabbed a laminated menu from the holder.
Owen didn’t have to read beyond the first section of the American cuisine. He settled on a prime rib sandwich and stowed his menu.
Mackenzie looked up from hers. “That was quick.”
“I know what I like.” He gave her a suggestive look, telling her he liked what he saw.
She blushed and returned her attention to the menu.
He’d been flirting. Something he was terrible at, and her reaction proved it. He should stay in his lane. Be blunt and tell it like it was. Starting now, he would stop trying to be subtle about his feelings.
But why be anything at all? He had to find Cassie’s killer not encourage a relationship with this amazing woman. That meant not leading her on and ignoring this interest that kept him confused.
Simple, right? Not.
Their waitress appeared at the table. She was young. Real young, maybe eighteen, with long red hair and a freckled face. She wore a white shirt and black pants. She tapped a pen on her order pad and looked at Mackenzie. “What can I get you?”
Makenzie looked up. “I’ll have the deluxe hamburger with fries and iced tea to drink.”
The waitress jotted it on her pad and turned her attention to Owen.
“Prime rib sandwich and fries. Coke for me.”
She noted it. “Be right back with your drinks.”
Before leaving Vancouver, Owen had gotten his backup phone from home and restored all of his data, including the picture of Cassie that their mom had taken on Cassie’s last visit. He held it out. “Before you go, do you recognize this woman?”
The waitress studied the screen. “Not really.”
Owen swiped to a detailed shot of Cassie’s necklace. “She would’ve been wearing this necklace.”
“That’s pretty unique, so I think I would’ve remembered if I saw it, but I don’t.” She tucked the pen behind her ear. “You should ask Ernie. He owns this place, and he’s what they call a super-recognizer.”
“What’s that?” Mackenzie asked.
“A person who never forgets a face. Even if they only get a glimpse of them.” The waitress shook her head. “It’s kind of freaky.”
