Page 15 of Liar For Hire (For Hire 1)

“Declan.”

He shuffled her toward the car. “We’ll stop for something to eat, and I’ll explain.”

“You don’t sound convincing.”

“Let’s go, Nessa. Now.”

He was never stern with her. Something had freaked him out, and she had to believe it was a legitimate concern. If nothing else, she would give him the benefit of the doubt and wait to hear what he had to say.

“You’ve never been psychic, so I don’t know what to think. Alright, let’s go.”

They found a restaurant much closer to home. The parking lot was almost abandoned, which didn’t give her much hope the food was good. So close to lunch time, business should have picked up. Not at this place.

Declan ignored the sign to wait to be seated and found a table for them. She followed and dropped into the chair across from him. Her legs ached as well as her shoulders with all the tension. After they ordered food she had no interest in, she waited for her friend to speak.

“His name was familiar,” Declan began. “I couldn’t remember where I met him.”

“Oh.” She touched a hand to her chest. “That makes sense. You scared me for a second. So he’s not what he says he is? How did you know him?”

Declan hesitated. The nerves which had settled a second ago charged up again. He offered her an easy smile and touched her fingers. “Suffice it to say he’s not someone we want to work for. Isn’t that enough?”

“No. Come on. Open up to me, Declan. I thought we trusted each other. I’m beginning to wonder.”

He started to speak, but his eyes widened, and he looked toward the door. She turned around to check as well, but no one came in. Two other customers at two different tables were their only companions. Out in the parking lot, she assumed the few cars belonged to the employees and the other diners.

A sound brought her attention back to the entrance. A man strolled into the restaurant. He must have walked because he sure didn’t drive there. Tall, handsome, and well-dressed in a suit, the man appeared to be in his fifties, maybe early sixties. He looked good for his age, and fit.

Declan jumped to his feet, staring at the man, who approached their table. Every eye in the place watched him, although Janessa wasn’t sure if it was because of his good looks or because of his presence that drew the attention. She felt the same way about Declan, but she knew Declan. This man rattled her, although she couldn’t pinpoint why.

The stranger smiled, revealing perfect teeth. “Well, hello.” He unbuttoned his suit jacket. “Fancy meeting you here?”

Janessa took her time standing. She didn’t like feeling below both these men, even though they dwarfed her standing or sitting. The stranger easily matched Declan’s six foot five frame.

“Um, I’m sorry,” she said. “Do I know you? Oh…”

Shock hit. She recognized his voice. This was their client, the one Declan said they shouldn’t meet—the one who they basically ran from. Regardless, the man found them. Here he stood pretending the meeting was a coincidence.

Okay, calm down, Janessa. There’s no way this isn’t just luck.

“Leave,” Declan growled. “We’re not interested in working for you.”

“Declan!” Janessa forced a smile. “I’m sorry, Mr. Sevelle. We had car trouble. I was just about to call you and see if we could reschedule the meeting.”

“No problem at all. We can talk now. And call me Patrick. Everyone does.”

Patrick prepared to sit down at the table, but Declan stepped in front of him. They stood face-to-face, a challenge in two sets of silver eyes. Neither wanted to appear weak or give in to the other.

Janessa took a sip of her water, trying to moisten her dry throat. “Patrick, Declan says he knows you. I didn’t realize that was the case when you asked to meet my partner. Come to think of it, I don’t remember saying any more than his first name.”

Neither man paid her any mind. She searched for something to say that would ease the tension. For all she knew they were about to go at it. This didn’t make sense. Why would they fight? Declan said he hadn’t met the man in years, didn’t he? But under what circumstances?

“Come, Declan,” Patrick coaxed. “There’s no need to be that way. We’re all friends here, right? How have you been? Adjusting to being on the ground?”

Declan paled. Janessa couldn’t imagine why such an odd question would get to her friend. Maybe he was asking if Declan was more grounded with maturity. Yes, that must be it. Declan might have been wilder in his younger days.

She grumbled under her breath for having to speculate. “Let’s sit down, everyone.”

Infusing her voice with pleasant tones, she jerked on Declan’s arm. He gave in and sank to his seat. Patrick followed suit with an amused light in his eyes. He seemed to find it entertaining that she could influence Declan, and it put her back up against him.

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