Unreasonable Risk by Karen E. Hall

Author:Karen E. Hall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romantic suspense, thriller, suspense, mystery, amateur sleuth, thriller suspense, sabotage, thriller and suspense, minneapolis, minnesota, women sleuths, mystery series, twin cities, mystery novel, thriller mystery, mystery suspense, mystery and suspense, thriller mystery and suspense, thriller action, thriller romance, suspense romance, mystery adventure, mystery fiction books, mystery book, suspense action, mystery and love, refinery, mystery and thriller, mystery amateur sleuth, st paul, mystery crime, mystery cats, oil refinery, industrial sabotage, minneapolisst paul, south dakota author, environmental engineer, woman engineer, petroleum refining, environmental mystery, environmental suspense
Publisher: Karen E. Hall

* * * * *

They left Hannah’s car at Pearl Park near Diamond Lake, and cruised north toward Hyland’s address. They circled the block twice, looking for the house. Hannah had to squint in the dark to make out the numbers. There. It was a modest white clapboard house on a narrow lot midway down the block. The paint had peeled in places, and the grass was sparse, not well cared for. There were no flowers or shrubs. Although they couldn’t find a second entrance at the front or sides of the house, Noel pointed out two mailboxes. They crept up the alley and found Hyland’s entrance in back, topping a sagging stairway to the second floor. No lights anywhere in the neighborhood, but it was late.

“His place must be tiny,” Hannah said. “The whole apartment’s under the eaves, and it’s not a big house to begin with.”

“Looks like Mr. Hyland is saving whatever money he has for his car and his clothes. I’ll bet his Neighborwatch buddies don’t have any idea he lives in a place like this. Interesting guy, don’t you think?”

“I don’t get it. What’s he doing with that bunch? What’s he getting out of it?”

“Contacts, maybe. Political backers? Or investors, maybe? I’ll bet that’s it. He’s running some kind of scam, building their trust, helping them out, then—Wham!—when he’s hooked ’em, he strategically separates them from a healthy sum of money.” He chuckled at Hannah’s expression. “Don’t look so shocked. Happens all the time.”

“I wonder where he works and what he does for a living aside from Neighborwatch,” Hannah mused. “Or if he doesn’t work at all, who pays his bills?”

“Who knows? Maybe the last people he scammed. I’ll try to find out, but it might take awhile.”

He drove her back to her car. They stood in the cold parking lot, their warm breaths mingling. Noel slid his arms around her, kissed her lightly. “I’ll give you time to think about it.” He grinned and shook his head. “But one of these days… Personally, I can’t take much more of this.”

“Neither can I,” she said, snuggling against him. “But now’s just not the right time.” She paused for a minute, considering her words. “You know, Noel, I’m usually pretty shy.”

He made a yeah, right face.

“No—really—and I’m generally not very demonstrative, not in public, at least. But—”

“Hey, I’m not either. But it wouldn’t have gone much further, anyway.” His eyebrows rose, waggled. “At least not until we got in the car.”

She blushed again, picturing a windshield frosted with hot breath. “In the car. I’m not sure what to say about that.” She fingered the lapel of his coat for a minute, then looked up at him. “I really enjoyed myself.”

“I know,” he said. “I could tell. So did I.” He kissed her softly, let her go, and opened her car door. “Soon,” he had said. “Very soon.”

Once back in her apartment, Hannah chuckled as she picked Max up and scratched his belly. “It’s been an interesting day, Max, you old fat cat.

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