Page 10 of Deception

Madison’s cell phone rang just as he drove away. She didn’t recognize the Texas number and almost let it go to voicemail. At the last second, she slid the button. “Madison Thorn.”

“Madison. I’m glad you answered. I didn’t want to leave a message.”

The voice was familiar ... and created dread in her stomach. She opened her car door and slid across the seat. “Who is this?”

“I’m sorry. Steven Turner.”

Chad’s brother. She gripped the phone tighter. No wonder he sounded familiar—his voice was very similar to Chad’s. “How did you get my number?”

“It was in Chad’s phone.”

She should have changed her number after what happened inTexas. Madison had only met the former Delta Force operator once—at the hospital the night Chad died. Why would he be calling her?

Almost like he read her mind, he said, “Please, don’t hang up. I need to talk to you.”

“About?” Like she had to ask. The only thing they had in common was his brother, who died from the bullet she’d fired.

“My dad has cancer, and he’s asked me to talk to you.”

She hadn’t been expecting that. “I don’t understand.” His silence stretched from a few seconds to almost thirty. “Are you there?”

“Yeah ... this is harder than I thought it’d be,” he said, his voice tense.

“What do you mean?”

“My brother tried to kill you, and I’m not sure how to ask you to meet with me and listen to what I have to say.”

Meet with him? Every nerve in her body screamed no. Yet, something held her back. “I haven’t hung up yet.” When he hesitated again, she added, “Maybe you could tell me over the phone.”

“No, I need to talk to you face-to-face. Could you meet me for lunch? I’m here—in Natchez. I’d like to personally thank you for saving Noah, if you’ll give me the chance.”

He was in Natchez? And he wanted to thank her? That was the last thing she expected. “How did you know where I am?”

“Your location shows up on Chad’s phone. It showed you were in Jackson yesterday and I booked a flight out of Dallas with the intention of calling once I got to Jackson to see if you’d go to dinner, but my flight was delayed, and it was after nine when I arrived. Have you had lunch yet?”

“No, I planned to grab a burger at one of the fast-food places.”

“I understand the hamburgers at the Camp Restaurant are excellent.”

Madison hadn’t eaten at the restaurant located in the Natchez-Under-the-Hilldistrict, but several of the people she met yesterday recommended it. Steven had aroused her curiosity. She didn’t believe for a minute he’d gone to all this trouble to track her down just to thank her for his dad, and the restaurant would be a very public place to meet with him. “All right. I’ll meet you there. What time?”

“How about now?”

She might as well since she probably wouldn’t get much work done until she satisfied her curiosity. When they finished, she could go to her grandfather’s house and work. “See you in ten minutes.”

Madison stuck her phone in the cupholder and drove the short distance to the restaurant and parked on the side of Silver Street. When she gave her name, the hostess took her upstairs to a table by the windows. Steven stood when she approached.

“Thanks for coming,” he said and pulled out her chair.

From where she sat, Madison had a great view of the Mississippi River and theAmerican Queensteamboat docked at the bottom of the hill.

“I thought about a place on the deck, but it might get a little chilly with the wind off the river.”

“This is perfect.” The room was over half full. Plenty of witnesses if he had something besides an apology in mind. She gave her drink order to the server, and when they were alone again, Madison took a breath and studied him. He looked a lot like Chad—same light brown hair, same gray eyes, same dimple in his right cheek when he talked. But there were some differences. Steven was heavier and more muscular. Judging by the size of his chest and arms, he worked out.

“You said your dad has cancer. How is he?” She’d met Robert Turner several times, and his gruff manner had always made her uneasy. And while she’d shot Chad in self-defense, Madison imagined it would be a hard thing for the man to get past.

“It’s pancreatic cancer, and while they’ve made great stridesin treating the disease when it’s caught early, his was diagnosed at stage 4.”

---