The Chinese Box (Book 11: Jab Boone Murder Mystery Series) (Jab Boone Murder Mysteries) by Michael Catalano

Author:Michael Catalano [Catalano, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-10T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“That was another great breakfast. Any more of Mrs. Canady’s meals and I’ll have to start training for marathons—not cross-country.”

Special Agent Templeton groaned outside the Canady ranch-house. She even rubbed her stomach. She glared at a grinning Lila Wiggins. “What’s so funny?”

“Don’t the Feds ever feed you?”

Franny shook her head. “Hardly. And to answer your next question—yes, I do have a food allowance. But Mrs. Canady won’t accept my expenditures.”

“I think I can beat you this morning,” crowed Lila. “I’m getting better in these hills. You didn’t win by much yesterday.”

“You might at that,” conceded Franny, stretching. “Without Clare, it’s a crap shoot. That girl can run!”

Lila nodded. She, too, did her pre-run routine. “Have you heard from the Boones or the Blevenses yet, Franny?”

“They’re in Idaho. Last I heard, they were hiking towards the Door Man’s lair.” Franny stood and put her arms high over her head and behind her back. “We better wait thirty minutes. Get our bods time to digest that feast.”

“What do you eat in Sacramento?” wondered Lila.

Franny shrugged. “I’m the low girl on the food chain. Let’s see—I eat Special K for breakfast, salads for lunch, and low-fat meals for dinner. The Bureau doesn’t exactly shell out the dough for salaries, Lila. After all, they answer to the tax-payers.”

“And yet here you are,” remarked Lila. “Tell me—are you in a hurry to return?”

“Truthfully—no,” admitted Franny. “I can’t speak for you but I needed a break. Quantico was intense, the move to Sacramento was culture shock, and on my last mission I was thirty feet away from armed gunmen.” She grinned. “No one’s shot at us, yet.”

“Are you armed when we run?” Lila wanted to know.

Franny shook her head. “No—not with a gun. But—” she smiled. “I always bring my sling along just like Mr. Boone.” She wrapped it around her running shorts. “Just like this—then tie a double-granny. I got three loops, so I use mine as a belt.”

Lila did likewise. She nodded approvingly. “Smart idea. You do have a head on your shoulders—for a Fed, that is.”

“Hey!” Agent Templeton winced. “What is this, Lila? The National Pick on Underpaid Female Federal Agents Day? Cut me some slack, Jac—queline!”

Lila smirked. “Uh-uh. And when we run, I’m gonna kick your butt. You’ll see!”

Franny grabbed the top of her own T-shirt and wiggled it. “Phew! But don’t we talk big around here. All right—you pick the obstacle course. That way you’ll have every advantage and no excuse when you come back crying to Mama.”

Lila looked sad. “I would not do that. I’ll never see my Mom again.”

This reminded Franny that Lila had been abandoned by her immediate family. She put a hand on her shoulder. “I apologize. I shouldn’t have said that.”

Lila nodded. “That’s okay. You guys have been my family. I know it’s only been a few days but I already miss the Boones and the Blevenses.” She added with a leer. “But I will beat you today.”

“Well, where I come from, talk never got the barn door built,” sniffed Franny.

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