Page 92 of Smoke Screen
“Phin,” she called, holding her hand up. “Hi.”
Following the sound of her voice, he lifted his head, peering right over the top of the woman’s head. “Uh,” Phin said. “Hi.”
The older woman turned, eyeing Maddy. “Well, hello.”
“Maddy,” Phin said, recovering fast, “this is Mrs. Royce. She lives here in town. Mrs. Royce, this is my friend, Maddy.”
Following Phin’s lead, Maddy stuck her hand out, offered her version of a hopefully genuine smile. “So nice to meet you.”
Mrs. Royce puckered her lips, gave Maddy a not-so-casual once-over. “Are you new here in town? Or just visiting?”
“Visiting,” Phin said. “We’re meeting a friend for lunch.”
“Speaking of which, we should get moving.” Maddy made a show of checking her watch. “I hate being late. So rude.”
Mrs. Royce nodded. “Oh, my dear, I completely understand. You young folks go on ahead now.”
After saying goodbye to the woman, Phin led Maddy back toward the group of tables in the street. If they were lucky enough to snag one, crowd noise would prevent anyone from eavesdropping on their conversation.
“What,” Phin said, his voice a low growl, “are you doing here?”
“Rescuing you from the locals.”
“Last I checked, I didn’t need rescuing. I can’t believe Zeke let you out here.”
She pulled her arm free, smiled at a woman pushing a stroller through the pack. “He didn’tletme do anything. You were hung up with Mrs. Royce. I didn’t think it would be wise for one of your brothers to come out here. Then you’dallbe recognized and distracted. Nobody knows me. I’m the logical choice.”
“Hey,” a man said from behind them. “Is there a jewelry store in town?”
Jewelry. The code word. Phin halted. Maddy right along with him. The two of them turned to see a young guy, maybe midtwenties.
With a neck tattoo.
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Upon hearing the code word,Phin turned, hands at his sides in case he needed them.
Facing the man, Phin sized him up. Maybe five foot nine, five foot ten at the most. Short, dark hair.
And a prominent neck tattoo.
This was their guy.
The one from the Center. The one who’d visited Maddy’s apartment not just once but twice and had a key.
Phin drew a silent breath, forcing his brain into a calm, controlled state. Busting this guy in two for freaking Maddy out wouldn’t get them priceless jewels.
Plus, Maddy stood right beside him, in front of the person who had made her look like a criminal mastermind.
That alone fried him.
He peeled his gaze from Neck Tattoo, glancing at Maddy, her eyes boring into the guy.
She should have stayed in the damned truck. She wore her heart on her sleeve like no other. At this rate, she might beat him to busting this guy up.
Nothing he could do about it except hope she didn’t let her emotions rule. Not that he’d blame her for it, because he himself was currently riding the struggle bus on that front. But they had a job to do and losing her temper had no place in it.
He turned back to Neck Tattoo. Obviously, he wasn’t as dumb as Phin thought, because he made a production out of looking everywhere but at Maddy.
