At the Crossroads by B.J. Daniels

Author:B.J. Daniels
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2021-09-26T18:43:22+00:00

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ALEXIS MET CULHANE’S gaze for a moment, then excused herself. Sliding off the stool, she called down the bar “Restrooms down this way?”

“That big sign over the opening to the hallway wasn’t plain enough for you?” Jack asked, not bothering to look at her.

As she started down the hall, she listened to make sure she hadn’t been followed. Culhane struck up an argument with Jack as she slipped into the open doorway of what she saw was the bar’s office.

She hurried to the desk, having no idea what she was looking for or how much time she would have to search. The top of the desk was a half-foot deep in bills, junk mail and liquor-order receipts. She quickly sifted through the pile, pretty sure Jack wouldn’t remember exactly where each item lay.

Seeing nothing of interest, she tried the drawers. Most held the usual office-desk items. It wasn’t until she tried the bottom drawer that she found it locked.

Culhane was still arguing with Jack. She just hoped that the bar owner didn’t suddenly realize how long she’d been gone and come looking for her.

Grabbing a paperclip she began to pick the lock. It took her longer than she’d hoped, but she finally picked it. Opening the drawer, she saw it held a series of file folders. Most had to do with the bar business.

Disappointed and about to give up, she spotted a folder at the back titled Letters. She pulled it out quickly, opened the folder and felt her pulse leap as she saw the top letter was from Jana to her father from seven years ago. Quickly, she opened the envelope to find a letter written on Lost Sunset Ranch stationery. She quickly pulled out her phone and took a photo before looking for more letters from Jana. She found none, but she did discover some receipts for payments to Lost Sunset Ranch. Hurriedly photographing them, she quickly put everything back in the folder.

Jack’s voice boomed down the hallway. Hurriedly, she pocketed her phone and stuffed the folder in the back before closing the drawer. She could hear Jack approaching with heavy, angry footfalls. There wasn’t time to exit the office and get to the ladies’ room. She had only one choice since either way she would probably get caught.

She ducked down into the space under the desk as she heard him stop in the office doorway. He stood there so long she feared he knew where she was hiding and was just waiting for her to come out. She hadn’t realized that she was holding her breath until she heard him let out a curse and stomp on down the hall, headed for the ladies’ restroom.

At the sound of the bathroom door banging open and the boom of his voice as he called “You in there?” she slipped out from under the desk and hurried to the door. She heard him step in to check the stalls and made her move, rushing back to the bar.

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