Page 27 of In the Shadows
"Quiet town," Mitch said eventually. "Pretty. Feels almost too perfect, though. You notice that?"
Ronan kept his expression neutral. "I've noticed."
"Everything's very—maintained. Very controlled." Mitch shrugged. "Could just be small-town pride. Could be something else."
"What else would it be?"
"I don't know yet. Just a feeling." He finished his beer and set the empty bottle on the bar. "But I've learned to pay attention to feelings. They're usually right before the evidence catches up."
Ronan studied the other man. DeMario was smart. Perceptive. Exactly the kind of person who might notice things that were supposed to stay hidden.
Which made him useful. And potentially dangerous.
"The event coordinator," Mitch said. "Lila Bennett. You've met with her?"
"A few times. She knows the town. Knows the logistics."
"She seems stressed. More than normal event planning stress." Mitch signaled for another beer. "I met with her this afternoon to go over the parade route. She was distracted. Jumpy."
"Centennial is a big deal. A lot of pressure."
"Maybe." Mitch accepted the fresh beer from the bartender. "Or maybe something else is going on."
Ronan said nothing. Letting the silence sit.
"Not my business," Ronan continued. "I'm here to do a job. Make sure people are safe, the event goes smoothly, and everyone goes home happy." He took a drink. "But if something's wrong in this town—something that might affect the security picture—I'd want to know about it."
"If I hear anything, I'll pass it along."
"I appreciate that." Ronan’s gaze was steady. "We're on the same side here, Mitch. Whatever our different lanes, the end goal is the same. Keep people safe."
"Absolutely."
They clinked bottles in an unspoken agreement. Two professionals acknowledging a shared purpose, even if their methods—and their information—would never fully overlap.
Ronan finished his beer and dropped cash on the bar. "I should head out. Early morning tomorrow."
"Good meeting you." Mitch raised his bottle in a casual salute. "Let's keep the lines of communication open."
"Count on it."
Ronan walked out of Sarge's into the warm evening air. The sun was setting over the water, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. The town’s scrubbed storefronts and painted shutters, giving off the reminder of paintings found in the galleries of small towns.
He pulled out his phone and texted Caleb.
Met DeMario. He's sharp. Already noticing things.
The response came quickly.
Problem?
Not yet. But he asked about Lila. Said she seemed stressed.
Because someone searched her office, and she's trying to act normal while helping a covert federal operation investigate her hometown.
That would do it.
Keep her close, Ronan. If DeMario notices she's off, others will too. She needs to sell the normal act, or this whole thing falls apart.
