Bring Me Flowers (Detectives Kane and Alton #2)(5)

“Really?” Wolfe curled his lips. “I can deal with friendly.” A glistening black SUV screeched to a halt at the curb and he rolled his shoulders. “Now there is another thing I detest.” He indicated with his chin toward the vehicle. “Dangerous drivers. Men like him need to have their vehicles impounded and crushed. It’s the only way to teach them a lesson.”

Kane rubbed his chin and grinned. “It certainly would slow them down, but right now we need a new law passed.” He strolled toward Aunt Betty’s Café. “This is the best place to eat unless you want to go fancy, then it’s the restaurant at the Cattleman’s Hotel.”

“Who is the guy in the black SUV?”

“Dan Beal, the new captain of the Larks, the local hockey team.” Kane snorted. “Don’t worry, he doesn’t receive any special privileges.”

“Nice to know.”

Before Kane had time to pull open the door, it opened and Reverend Jones stepped out, giving him a beaming smile.

“Good morning.” He turned his attention to Wolfe. “I see we have a new deputy in town.”

Kane nodded. “Yeah, Reverend Jones, this is Shane Wolfe.” He noticed Wolfe’s expression harden but he gave the man a curt nod.

“Nice to meet you.” Jones’s lips quivered and he dropped his offered hand, but he lifted his chin and met Wolfe’s unfriendly gaze with a sunny smile. “I hope I’ll see you and your family at Sunday services. You too, Deputy Kane. All are welcome.”

“Thanks for the invitation.” Wolfe’s lips formed a thin line. “Maybe after we get settled.”

Wanting to get Wolfe away from any personal questions, Kane tipped his hat. “We have to be going.” He moved past the reverend and led the way into the café.

“Damn preachers.” Wolfe shook his head. “I saw him watching me with my girls earlier. I pushed them inside the house and shut the door. I am so over preachers right now.” Agitation rolled off him. “You should have seen them come out of the woodwork when Angie died. They were like flies—every time I turned around, another was telling me it was God’s will. Cancer killed my wife and God had nothing to do with her suffering.”

“He means well.” Kane frowned. “I’m sure he didn’t mean to offend you.” He moved through the busy café to his usual table set in the alcove bedside the bay window. He liked the more secluded spot with no one close by to overhear his conversations. “I doubt he’ll bother you again unless you seek him out. People need someone to talk to and he fills that spot along with some of the other clergy around here.” He sat down and peered at the menu, needing something to do. Noticing the waitress heading in their direction, he cleared his throat. “One thing about being a deputy in this town is we get served ahead of the rest.”

“Great.” Wolfe grasped the menu and ducked his head. “What’s good?”

“Everything. The chili is the best I’ve ever tasted and I’m pretty sure the cakes are becoming an addiction.” Kane grinned and lifted his head as Susie Hartwig sashayed toward him, coffee pot in hand.

“What will you have today, Deputy Kane?”

“I’ll have the usual, thank you.”

“I don’t believe we’ve met.” Susie stared at Wolfe and raised one penciled eyebrow. “I’m Susie Hartwig, and you are?” She filled the two cups on the table and set down the pot of coffee.

“Deputy Wolfe.” Wolfe’s icy gaze flicked over her then returned to his menu.

“And what can I get you, Deputy Wolfe?”

“I’ll have the chili, side order of fries, and apple pie with ice cream.”

“Sure, right away.” Susie took a notepad from her pocket and jotted down the order, picked up the coffee pot, and wiggled back toward the kitchen.

Wolfe lifted his gray gaze and lowered his voice to just above a whisper. “Now let’s cut the chit-chat and tell me why the hell I’m here.”

Mind reeling, Kane adopted a nonchalant pose and piled sugar into his coffee. “What do you mean?”

“Don’t act like you don’t know, ninety-eight H.” Wolfe glanced casually around the room then brought his cold gaze back to Kane. “You must recognize my voice. I’ve been your handler at HQ for the last three years.”

Only three people on Earth knew Kane’s identity and location. Sure, his handler at HQ was one of them, but why the hell would HQ risk his cover by sending Wolfe to Black Rock Falls? Not easily drawn into a trap, Kane shrugged. “You are talking a load of crap, man. You on some crazy meds or something?”

“Nope.” Wolfe rubbed both large hands over his face. “I worked as a round-the-clock handler for you and three other agents during the time I cared for my wife until she died. The moment the funeral was over, three black SUVs rolled up and insisted I accompany them. Two agents drove off with my kids and another escorted me at gunpoint to a chopper. They secreted me in a military base. I underwent intensive training on police procedure, including Montana criminal and misdemeanor law. I have a degree in forensic science but I had to do a refresher course and apply for a license to practice here.” He rubbed his temples in slow circles. “I thought I’d kept fit until they put me through intensive physical and arms training. I had an idea they wanted to send me back into service but not to this flea on a dog’s back.” His attention shifted over Kane’s shoulder, and he cleared his throat. “The food is coming.”