Baby Jane Doe

Author:Miller, Julie [Miller, Julie]
Format: mobi
Tags: Suspense
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2010-06-23T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Shauna scanned the vast expanse of Union Station from her seat on the open second floor of the Union Café. Where was Eli? Behind one of the wrought-iron galleries above her? Mingling with the tourists at the information kiosk? Watching her through the windows of the train museum or following the groups of school children beneath the giant clock that marked their way to the science center?

She was certain that she’d be able to sense his presence—just as certain as she’d been that he’d keep his promise to watch over her when she was away from KCPD headquarters and their built-in security. But nothing. No shiver of awareness. No tingle of anticipation at the thought of sitting in a public place while that mysterious, unspoken link connected them.

Either he was as good at blending in with the tourists and locals as he’d claimed, or she was alone.

And though that meant she had no sense of Yours Truly in the building watching her, either, she felt a stab of disappointment.

Dangerous as it was to feel any sort of attachment to the man, Eli made her feel safe. He made her feel alive with his challenging words and potent stares. Knowing he was in a room, in a building—inside a sprawling complex like Union Station—with her took away the chill of isolation that she’d grown too accustomed to living with.

Of course, she wasn’t truly alone. She sat across the table from her ex-husband. But Shauna was more attuned to her surroundings, trying to sense Eli—or him— than she was to Austin’s animated sales pitch. Besides, she’d heard all the lines before.

“The Riverboat is going to be a great casino, Shauna.” Austin had dressed in a business suit for his presentation today, pouring on the gentlemanly charm and boyish enthusiasm that she’d once been so attracted to. “Sure, when it’s finished, it’ll be smaller than those big chain casinos on the river. But this one captures the flavor of Kansas City—the history, the jazz—”

“The slot machines.”

Austin’s laugh seemed forced. Or maybe it was just her own interest in the sales pitch that had to be forced. He signaled the waiter to clear their plates and bring some coffee before continuing. “The Riverboat will contain every modern amenity that the larger gaming establishments have, but the ambiance will be warmer, friendlier. The players and guests will feel like they’re stepping back in time when they walk onto that boat. They’ll feel at home. It’ll be great for business.”

A familiar dread blossomed in the pit of her stomach, drawing her fully into the conversation. “Austin, for someone like you, I don’t think feeling ‘at home’ in a place where you could lose so much money is a good thing.”

Did he just roll his eyes? “Like I tried to tell you last night—I wouldn’t be managing the games, or even working with them. They want me to oversee the redesign. We’ve purchased an old steel-hulled steamboat. They want my expertise to refit it to its original grandeur, and then design the new additions in the same plush retro style.

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