Page 38 of Smokescreen

She heard him, but her thoughts still raced. Edgar shouldn’t recognize her. She looked different now than she had when she’d been hiding under that desk.

But there was still a chance—and that was a risk she couldn’t take.

No one here in the saloon should put two and two together and realize the woman in the picture was Olive. But if that man stared directly at her face, there was a chance he’d recognize her.

She glanced back at Reid, realizing he was waiting for her explanation. She had to make it quick.

“That man over there is looking for me—and I can’t let him find me.”

“What?” Surprise captured his voice.

“I’m going to run to the restroom. Don’t let him know you recognize me. I’ll explain more later.”

Reid’s face turned stony. “Go.”

Olive hurried away before the man got to their table. She quickly slipped into the restroom, which was thankfully designed for only one person. Instead of closing the door all the way, she left it cracked so she could see what was going on outside.

A few seconds later, Edgar approached Reid and showed him the picture. “You seen this woman before?”

Reid stared at the image before shaking his head. “No. Why are you looking for her?”

“It’s not important.” Edgar scanned the restaurant again. “Where’d the person go who was sitting with you?”

“To the bathroom. Why?”

“Maybe I want to ask her if she’s seen this woman.”

“I’m sure she hasn’t.”

Edgar glanced back at Reid. “Why are you so certain of that?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but she’s my girlfriend, and I just flew her in from out of state. She doesn’t know anyone around here but me.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. “When did she get into town?”

“Yesterday.” Reid stared back at him.

Edgar simply grunted and stomped away, moving on to the next person.

Olive released her breath. But this wasn’t over yet.

Fourteen other diners were in this restaurant, plus three waitresses, one of them also acting as hostess. Edgar would probably want to talk to them all.

She’d wait here a little longer. She couldn’t afford to come out prematurely.

She couldn’t believe this guy was showing her photo around. Was he going from town to town trying to find her? Was he that desperate?

The person who’d hired this guy was clearly anxious to figure out who she was. Was that because she knew about the gun? But she didn’t know what crime it had been used in conjunction with. Was someone willing to kill to keep that information quiet?

Edgar finished questioning the diners and headed for the door.

In different circumstances, Olive would follow him. See where he was going. Who he was talking to.

But she was here with Reid. She didn’t want to drag him into even more danger.

The best she could do right now was to see if Tevin might be able to help her. Maybe he could put a tracker on this guy’s vehicle.

Olive and Reid finished lunch and headed out.

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