Page 144 of Seven Deadly Sins

“If we put the sketch on the news, someone might know who he is.”

“If we’re lucky.” They hadn’t been that lucky yet, and a big dose of luck was what they needed. “We should’ve ordered lunch inside.”

“We haven’t left yet.” She got out of the jeep. “You think about food a lot, don’t you?”

“I’ve got a healthy appetite.” He nodded at Bill as they entered the building, and he stepped out. They sat at the table they’d vacated, and both ordered mushroom provolone burgers and fries.

“If we don’t catch Robert soon, I’m going to get fat.” Harper patted her stomach.

“I doubt that.” His thoughts returned to the slim legs he’d spotted last night. Even with ten pounds added, she’d be drop dead gorgeous. He had the sudden urge to release her dark tresses from the ponytail, run his thumb across her full bottom lip. Neither thought beneficial to solving the case, thus off limits. Relief flooded through him when their server arrived with the food. Something to do besides dwell on the nonprofessional whirling through his head about Harper.

“Heard from Thompson?”

Her brow furrowed. “You know I’d tell you if I had.”

“Surprised he hasn’t responded to the photos.”

She narrowed her eyes. “What’s wrong with you?”

That was a loaded question. “Nothing.” He bit into his burger like a man who hadn’t eaten in days.

She made a noise in her throat that let him know she didn’t believe him and took a much smaller bite than he had. “If I don’t hear from him by the end of the day, I’ll contact him about something in order to get him to respond. Something that might get him to release Amber. I have to find an idea first.”

She dipped a fry in ketchup. “Why America?”

“Huh?”

“Why not Ireland or England law enforcement?”

“My parents brought me here as a senior in high school. I liked America, so I stayed. They’re both gone now, so I had no reason to return to Ireland.” He shrugged. “Then, I visited the Ozark Mountains on holiday once and knew right then that this was where I wanted to be.”

She smiled. “America is very lucky to have you.”

“Thanks.” He reached across and gave her hand a squeeze, relieved when she didn’t immediately pull away.

After they finished eating, Harper leaving half of her burger on the plate, they headed down the highway toward the station. Blue skies had replaced the gray clouds. They’d gone maybe five miles when Liam spotted an older model Chevy truck on the shoulder of the road.

“Let me see whether anyone needs help.” He shoved the jeep in park. From there he could see someone sat in the truck’s front seat. “I’ll be right back.” He exited the jeep and jogged to the truck.

Bill Spooner sat behind the wheel, his eyes vacant, a bullet hole between his eyes.

Someone had gotten to him. Liam stared back at the jeep. He strongly suspected the man from the bar who hadn’t wanted to speak to them. Although he knew the man was dead, he checked for a pulse anyway. Nothing.

Chapter Six

Harper joined Liamat the truck. Her heart fell. Because they’d questioned him, someone had killed him. They couldn’t have help on this case. It had to be her and Liam only. Robert made that very clear.

In a rare fit of showing anger, Liam slapped the side of the dead man’s truck. “Any chance of finding out what the man who approached him looked like is gone. Like Thompson. Vanished like a puff of smoke.” He paced back and forth, his face dark.

She understood his anger and frustration, she felt them herself, but they couldn’t let their emotions gain control. That’s the whole reason behind keeping him at arm’s length. To keep emotions in check.

What she wanted to do was wrap her arms around him until the tension left his body and the optimistic Liam returned. She started to speak, then stopped. What could she say? She didn’t have the answers either. So, she called the homicide in before securing the scene.

She wrapped crime scene tape around the area. At this rate, she’d need a new roll before long. That sounded cold and jaded. She sighed and tossed what was left back in the jeep.

By this time, Liam had stilled, staring into the trees that lined the highway. “What’s on the other side of those trees?”

“A railroad track, why?” She followed is gaze but didn’t see anything. “One went through not too long ago. I heard it.”

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