Page 5 of Speak No Evil

He followed her into the coffee shop where the manager looked up from swabbing down the back counter. “Sorry, I’m closing in a few minutes.”

“If you’ve still got coffee, we’ll take two, please, Henry.” Will grabbed a tray off the stack. “Grab what you want, Gwen. I’ll get the coffee.”

She pulled a wrapped sandwich off the shelf, and Will added one of tuna for himself. She dropped some sugar packets next to the coffee cups, and he ran his card.

They settled at a table of her choosing. The little gold studs in her ears winked at him through her fluffy dark hair. This was a serious woman, and not one to draw attention to herself with big dangly earrings.

Because he’d eaten here so often, he’d probably sat at each of the seven tables. Which were all empty now except theirs. He swept a gaze over the sidewalk outside, searching for a clue as to why Gwen had tensed when they left the Meta Hellenic tower. Seeing nothing alarming, he draped his jacket over the back of his chair and sat.

She’d uncapped her coffee to add sugar, the rich, dark aroma drifting his way. He usually stayed away from caffeine this time of day, but sipped his own brew as if he hadn’t had a drop all day. Why? Was this his sixth sense at work urging him to fuel up for a long night?

It sure wasn’t looking that way. She wanted to catch her train, and he would escort her to the station and say goodnight.

The scent of mustard wafting from her turkey sandwich reminded him he’d last eaten hours ago. He glanced at her as he unwrapped his tuna salad.

She swallowed a bite and took another sip. “I only got a text from Erin. Did you talk to her?”

“Yes. Over the internet connection.” He gestured to the envelope in the tote hanging from the back of her chair, set his coffee cup down, and unwrapped his own sandwich. “I was mostly discussing the freighter repairs with Nikos. Erin only spoke to me once I mentioned the workbook. Why? Do you have a specific concern?”

“Just curious. They’re probably in Athens by now,” Gwen said. “Erin was really looking forward to visiting there. What about you? Have you been to Athens?”

“When I was in the service. Before I joined Meta Hellenic.” He watched the flash of light in her beautiful eyes for a second. Before he could become entranced again, he picked up his sandwich and took a bite. She drew him with a magnetism he didn’t understand. But focusing all his attention on her might put her back on the defensive when she’d only now begun to relax. He chewed another bite and scanned the deli, alert to trouble. Henry hauled a full garbage bag into a short hall and propped open the service door.

“Which branch?” Gwen asked, drawing his attention back to her.

“The best one.” He grinned, and she smiled in return. “Navy.”

“That explains the naval engineering.” She smiled and took another bite.

She’d wondered about him?

“I’ve loved boats since I was a kid.” Will set his plate aside, more interested in their conversation—and her.

“That explains both, then.”

Warm, humid air swept across them when the street entrance opened. Will slid his gaze to the tall, skinny guy entering the deli. He saw all types in this part of town, tourists returning from a cruise to the Statue of Liberty, harried businessmen needing a coffee after a long day. This guy with the shoulder-length black hair didn’t fit—not here, not at this time on Friday night. He didn’t know what to expect, and he braced himself to fend off any sudden moves that might come his way.

“I’m closing in ten minutes.” Henry lifted the coffee reservoir out of the dispenser.

The newcomer nodded, chose a cellophane-wrapped slice of pie from the display, and paid. Will looked for the telltale bulge of a handgun in the guy’s pockets. He didn’t see one, but his instincts still kicked into high gear.

The dude chose a table next to the window and sat with his back to them. Tension sizzled off Gwen like before. Something about this guy scared her. He wanted to know why, but he wouldn’t ask her here and now. Any conversation they had would carry easily in the quiet.

Her gaze swung from the wall clock to the other customer. Then her blue eyes landed on him, her jaw tightening. “You ready to go?”

Since she worried about the other customer, Will didn’t want to leave before him, and checked on Henry’s progress. Until the manager finished they could stay.

“Will.” Gwen reached across the table and tapped his hand. “We should leave.”

Her touch sent sparks up his arm. He squeezed her hand and caught her gaze. “Let’s sit a while longer.” Trust me.

A frown flitted across her forehead. She started to speak but then glanced behind him and gave a little shrug. “Okay.”

But she still pulled her tote into her lap, ready to bolt any minute.

“I’m closing now. Everyone out.” Henry came around the counter.

Will stood. The long-haired guy left through the front entrance but remained standing on the curb. He did not cross the street or move off. Gwen spun on her heel and made for the open service door in the back. Will reached for his windbreaker. “Gwen…?”

---