Page 51 of Lethal Danger

“Early shift again tomorrow.”

“Oh, sure.” Hawthorne hefted his duffel bag over his shoulder. “I have some things to take care of tonight anyway.” Like heading back to the fair for more investigating. He checked his phone for messages and the time. Only five after nine. He’d have time yet to get there well before the fair closed at eleven. As security, he could get in later, but not without answering questions he’d rather avoid.

Hawthorne held the door open for Jazz as they exited the building.

“Thanks.” She smiled, apparently not one of those women bothered by a man holding a door.

He hadn’t performed the courtesy as a test, but the research was priceless. Wouldn’t have thought such a strong, independent woman would welcome the courteous gesture from a guy. Too old-fashioned and demeaning according to modern opinions, he would’ve guessed. But Jazz seemed to like it.

Fascinating.

“So you’ll need to let me have a rematch soon.” Hawthorne fell in step beside her on the sidewalk in front of the building, the concrete gently lit by lampposts.

Jazz cast him a smile that beat back the shadows. “Sure you’d be up for that anytime soon?”

“Ouch.” He laughed. “Hey, I haven’t been climbing for a long time. Ferris wheel notwithstanding.”

“If you say so. I’m ready anytime.” She veered off the sidewalk to walk between two parked cars.

“All right. You’re on.” He followed her as she aimed for the navy blue SUV she’d arrived in, parked in the next row. “Though I warn you, I’ll bring my A game next time.”

“Now you have me worried.” She tossed a grin over her shoulder that belied the words.

Something beyond her caught his gaze. Something off.

Was the front tire…

“Hey, Jazz.”

She paused and turned toward him.

“I don’t think you’re going anywhere right now.” He caught up with her and looked at the right front tire.

It was flattened to the ground.

Fifteen

Jazz squatted next to the very flat tire. She ran her thumb over a thin puncture mark. Weird shape. Like a match for her knife blade if she’d stuck it into the tire.

She stood, letting her gaze travel across the parking lot, the hidden pockets of darkness beyond the lampposts.

Was the tire cutter still there, waiting for her to be vulnerable while she changed the tire? That was likely the point.

But how would anyone have known she was there? She always checked for tails. An unbreakable habit from her Army days that came in handy working for PK-9.

“Got a spare in the back?” Hawthorne’s question nearly startled her. Forgot he was there.

“Oh.” She pulled out her key fob and unlocked the back, walking to the rear of the SUV. The liftgate rose, and she reached inside for the cover that hid the spare.

“I’ll get that.”

She paused and looked over her shoulder at him. “I’ve been changing tires since I was six.”

“Then it’s about time you had a break, don’t you think?” He gave her the charming grin that had shown up more than once tonight.

She backed out of the space, ending up much closer to him than she’d expected. She squinted at him to cover the flustered feeling that tumbled in her belly. “Afraid I can change a tire better than you, too?”

“Definitely.” The glitter of humor in his eyes, so close to hers, sent a pulse of electricity down to her toes. Was it her or was it super warm outside tonight? That would explain the sparks of heat that tingled between her and Hawthorne.

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