Page 146 of Simon Says

“Got it.” He turned to face Simon. “Where are you going?”

“I’m meeting with Barnaby.”

“You think that’s smart?”

Simon looked at Dakota. Sweat darkened the back of her shirt. Her face was red with exertion. “Yeah. I have to figure out what the hell is going on, the sooner the better.”

“Should you be going alone?”

Simon snorted. “If you’re asking me if I want backup, the answer is no. I would love for Barnaby or Dakota’s ex or anyone else to try something. I’m in a killing mood today and I’m not even sure why.”

Dean lifted an eyebrow. “Don’t do anything stupid that’ll keep you out of the competition. It’s only a few weeks away now.”

Simon gave his attention to Harley. Anyone could see he was good. Damn good. “I’ll be there. Don’t worry about that.” Simon clapped Dean on the shoulder and walked out. He didn’t want to draw Dakota’s attention, or answer a lot of questions from her. Tonight he’d tell her that he’d visited Barnaby. But he didn’t want her to try to talk him out of it now.

On the drive to the diner, Simon considered all the possible reasons why Barnaby might have wanted to meet him. But more than that, he wanted to know what hold Barnaby had over Dakota.

It took him over an hour to reach the diner. The dinner hour had come and gone, so it wasn’t very crowded. Only ten or twelve people sat at tables and booths. The moment Simon laid eyes on him, he knew he’d found Barnaby. Before walking in, he looked around to see if Barnaby had brought anyone with him. It appeared not. The man sat alone at a small table in the back of the diner, his hands folded together on the tabletop.

Suddenly he swiveled around and stared at Simon. He rose from his seat, and then just waited.

Dread churned in Simon’s gut, but he kept all emotion from his face as he moved forward. “Barnaby Jailer?”

“Yes.” The smaller man reached for Simon’s hand. For some reason, Simon didn’t want to touch him, but to refuse a handshake would put things on an awkward stage from jump.

“Simon Evans.”

“Yes, yes, of course I know that. Thank you for meeting me.”

Eyeing him, Simon took his seat. Barnaby looked…haggard. Neatly dressed, well groomed, but overly tired and stressed.

A waitress approached, and Simon ordered a juice over ice.

“Don’t you want something to eat?” Hopeful, Barnaby said, “My treat, naturally.”

Simon shook his head. “I won’t be staying that long.” He didn’t tell Barnaby to order himself food. He refused to be any more polite than necessary.

Undeterred, Barnaby smiled at the waitress and asked for coffee and pie. It took her only moments to serve them, and then they were alone.

“So let’s get to it.” Simon folded his arms on the tabletop. “What is it you want from me?”

Stirring sugar into his coffee, Barnaby tried to hedge for time. “I thought we could talk for a while, get to know each other better. After all, as I told you, I’m your father and—”

“And as I told you, I’m not interested in knowing you better. I came here because you have something Dakota wants.”

Taking his time, Barnaby sipped his coffee and ate a bite of his pie. “So you’re here for Dakota?”

Simon stared at him. “That’s right. To get whatever it is you have that she wants.”

After a brief laugh, Barnaby shook his head. “Please excuse my confusion.” He took another drink of coffee. “But it’s very odd. Dakota specifically told me she doesn’t want them anymore.”

When had Dakota talked to Barnaby? And why hadn’t she told him? Simon just waited.

Barnaby smiled. “You didn’t know, did you? She called me in a foul mood, issued some threats, and told me to destroy the letters. She’s a bold one, you know. Always has been.”

Letters? Despite his better efforts, Simon’s eyes narrowed. “How well do you know Dakota?”

“Better than I know you, that’s for sure. You’re a fighter, aren’t you? In the SBC?”

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