Wild Justice (Nadia Stafford 3)

"You're not invited," Jack said to Evelyn.

I shot him a look. "Of course she's welcome--"

"No, she's not. Stop being polite. We have plans."

"So I see," Evelyn murmured. "And, yes, Dee, you are correct that I have no interest in dining at anyplace that considers burnt hunks of meat haute cuisine."

"All right," I said. "Well, give me a few minutes to shower and change into something a little nicer than . . ." I plucked at my T-shirt.

"Should shower, too." Jack ran a hand over his face. "And shave. Forgot this morning."

"You go first," I said. "I'll find us a restaurant."

Jack patted my legs as I lifted them off his lap. I could feel Evelyn watching. Then her cell phone buzzed. She glanced down at it and went still.

"Everything okay?" I said.

"Of course. Just business. The usual idiots with the usual idiotic requests." She got to her feet. "Why don't I find that restaurant for you? And I wouldn't worry about showering and shaving. Just wash up and--"

"I want to shave," Jack said. "Not going someplace nice looking--"

"It's a steakhouse. Just because the bill hits triple digits does not mean it qualifies as 'someplace nice.' We have work to do tonight, and I don't have time to dawdle." She waggled her phone. "I do have other responsibilities. Just wash your face and--"

Someone rapped on the door.

"I'll get that," Evelyn said. "You two go--"

"And use the washroom together? You really are in a hurry to get us out of here, aren't you? Go shave, Jack. I'll get ready in the bedroom."

"Excellent," Evelyn said. "Go on, Dee, and I'll . . ."

She trailed off as I veered to the door and looked through the peephole. There was a guy in the hall. About six foot two. Midthirties. A ball cap pulled tight over short, light brown hair. Pleasantly good-looking with a square jaw. His most arresting feature was his eyes, bright blue, and they were contacts.

I took a deep breath. Then I opened the door.

"Quinn," I said.

CHAPTER 23

Quinn caught the door. "Na--" he began, then he caught himself. "Dee."

"What the fuck?" Jack said as Quinn walked in.

"Jack. Good to see you, too. Always a pleasure."

Jack turned to Evelyn. "What the fuck?"

Quinn paused. Then, slowly, he turned to her, too. "I thought you told them I was coming."

"I didn't exactly say--"

"You told me about the attempt on Dee's life and--"

"You told him what?" Jack said.

Quinn turned to me. "There wasn't an attempt on your life at the lodge this morning?"

"Um, yes, but--"