Opportunity Knox: Bethany Knox Private Investigator #1 by Stephanie Turner

Author:Stephanie Turner [Turner, Stephanie]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2021-08-30T00:00:00+00:00

Bait & Switch

Brian went ahead in his truck, stopped at the Cove Creamery for an ice cream cone, and sat on the bench out front to watch the parking lot while he ate. Just an innocent, casual person of no interest, enjoying the warm spring evening.

“Be ready.” Dad said into our coms, watching from the far end of the lot where he had a good vantage of the exits, and the approaching transit just now turning off of Purcell’s Cove Road onto Cormorant Cove Road. “Here she comes.” He ambled his way across the lot, another innocent out for an evening stroll.

I waited at the table in front of the Burger & Bait Shack where I could see the lot clearly, a cardboard box of fries sitting ignored in front of me, a halo of bright light from the lamp I’d chosen to sit under clearly illuminating my red hair in the twilight growing around me.

I could feel eyes on me.

Glen Foster was across the street in a dark car, watching me, but pretending not to. Creep.

I wasn’t worried about him.

Nigel Essex had just left the Cove Market next door, and was loading his groceries into the trunk of his teal sports car when he spotted my red hair. He closed his trunk and approached me.

He was going to ruin everything.

I motioned under the table, trying to wave him away with my hand, but he wasn’t paying attention to my signals.

The #15 bus stopped in front of the lot, and I watched Kendra Stone disembark and head towards me. She was dressed in a hoodie and jeans on a warm evening, the hood pulled up to hide her face.

I froze. All I could do was sit and hold my breath as two waves came together, intent on crushing and grinding me between them. I shook my head, shook that feeling off, and made myself stand. I turned my back on Nigel, hoping he would take the hint, moving to intercept the one I was sure I could help. “Kendra?”

She looked up. Livid bruises covered her face, her eye was swollen, her lip was cut. “He hurt you.”

She squeezed ketchup onto the table, and wrote with her finger: HE’S LISTENING!

WIRE? I wrote underneath.

She nodded. I smeared the writing, just in case.

Nigel barged in, taking in Kendra’s face. “Is this Glen’s handiwork? That blasted-”

“I need to get her out of here.” I put my hand on his chest to stop the tirade; the last thing I needed was for Glen to hear and rush in to defend himself.

Nigel gave a strangled gasp, and held my hand to his heart - just for a moment, before letting go.

“I have ice in my van. Come, Kendra.” I took her arm.

Nigel followed.

“I’ve got it.” I told him.

“What kind of man would I be if I let you walk unescorted?” He demanded.

I shook my head, but I didn’t have time to argue. I led her to the van, and turned on the cab light so we could be clearly seen climbing over the seat and entering the rear through the cab door.

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