Read Online Twin Peril by Laura Scott - Free Book Online Page B

stopped for dinner at Rose’s Café in town and had casually asked about Mallory’s uncle’s place. Josie, the chatty woman behind the counter, had clued him in on where to find it. Was it possible Caruso’s guy was there in the café, too? Had ski-mask guy overheard Josie giving him directions? It was the only way he could have beaten Jonah out there.
    He tried to fit the pieces of the puzzle together. The only scenario that made sense was that the guy in the ski mask had planned to kill Mallory first, and then to hunker down and wait for Jonah to arrive. Luckily, ski-mask guy had underestimated Mallory’s intelligence, strength and determination, just like Kent Wasserman had.
    Jonah was more thankful than ever that he’d arrived just before Mallory burst out from the woods.
    The minute the sun lightened the sky, he showered and headed over to the small lobby. The cigar-chewing clerk was just coming on duty, and when he caught sight of Jonah, he scowled.
    “Checkout time is 11:00,” he growled in his deep nasal tone.
    “Thanks for letting me know,” Jonah said graciously. “But we’re thinking of staying another day.”
    “We don’t got any rooms for you, Preacher Man.”
    “Really?” Jonah wasn’t sure what this guy’s problem was, but he wasn’t about to get into the fight cigar guy was trying to start. He was glad he had his gun tucked in the back of his waistband, just in case. “That’s interesting, because the sign outside says there’s a vacancy.”
    The clerk reached out and flipped a switch on the wall next to him. Instantly the NO VACANCY light flashed on. “Not anymore.”
    Jonah hid a flash of anger. This guy was lying through his teeth, obviously willing to give up two paying customers to get rid of them. But why? Just because he’d claimed they were here to spread the word of God? He forced a smile. “I see. Well, then, my sister and I will make sure we’re checked out by eleven. God be with you, sir.”
    The clerk only grunted in response and focused his attention on the small TV behind the counter. Jonah took several bagels from the continental breakfast buffet along with small packages of cream cheese and plastic knives, and went back to his room. He tentatively knocked on the connecting door. “Mallory? Are you awake? I have bagels for breakfast.”
    After a long minute, she unlocked the door. “Good morning, Jonah,” she greeted him. Her hair was damp and curly from her recent shower.
    The way she swept her gaze over the room, avoiding looking directly at him, caused him to frown. “Is there something wrong, Mallory?”
    “No. Why do you ask?” Her gaze went up and to the right, a sure sign she wasn’t being entirely truthful. In all his years of police work, he was amazed at how often people looked up and to the right when they were lying.
    In a way, he didn’t blame her for not trusting him. After all, he’d almost let his boss kill her in the motel fire. “Are you hungry?” he asked, gesturing to the food he’d brought from the lobby. “Please, help yourself. And if you’re thirsty, there’s orange juice, too. I’m happy to go back.”
    She crossed over and picked up a bagel, spreading a thin layer of cream cheese before taking a healthy bite. “I wouldn’t mind some orange juice. Um—is that same desk clerk from last night working?” she asked.
    He stared at her, dead certain her idle question was anything but casual. “Mallory, what happened?”
    She flashed him a quick glance, full of guilt. “I don’t know what you mean,” she hedged.
    Ignoring the bagel and his grumbling stomach, he crossed over to her, gently taking her slim shoulders in his hands. “Mallory, look at me. I can tell something is wrong. Why won’t you tell me what happened?”
    After a long pause, she reluctantly met his gaze. “Last night, I went out to get something to eat at the vending machine, and cigar guy tried to grab me, so I kicked him in the stomach.” She flushed and