Breakwater (Cold Ridge/U.S. Marshals #5)

“Did he say where he was headed?”


“No-I figure he’s gone to Breakwater. He was talking to some people in here, and he didn’t realize the woman who drowned-Miss Miller-” Donna suddenly grew awkward. “I’m so sorry about what happened. I know she was your friend.”

“Thank you.” Quinn left it at that. “What didn’t Agent Kowalski realize?”

“Oh. That your friend was acting weird all weekend. I don’t mean to speak ill-”

“It’s okay, Donna. Had anyone seen her?”

“A couple people saw her on Sunday and said she was real jittery. Then on Monday morning, I was up early as usual to get here for five-thirty, and I saw her out at the Crawford compound’s front gate. I go by there on my way to work. She looked pretty upset.”

“She was at the Crawford compound at five-thirty in the morning?”

“That’s right.” Donna blushed. “I’m not saying anything out of turn, am I?”

“No, no, of course not. I just hadn’t realized she was there, either.”

“I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything, her being out there. She’d walked from the cottage, I guess. It’s a couple miles, but she kept in good shape-we used to see her jogging around town all the time on the weekends she was down here. I didn’t think too much of it, except she was so upset.”

“Did anyone at Breakwater know she was there? They’ve tightened up security-”

“Oh, yeah. They knew she was there. You know they did. They’ve gone downright crazy with security, if you ask me. They’ve got snipers on the roof. I live three miles up the road, and half the time I don’t remember to lock my doors. And they’re just getting started. There’s way more to come.”

Quinn doubted Breakwater had snipers, much less any posted on the roof. Donna’s exaggeration, however, wasn’t unexpected. Obsessive about his privacy even before his kidnapping, Oliver Crawford was a popular subject of gossip, and his new private security venture only added to his aura of wealth and eccentricity. He had the money, freedom and connections to indulge any whim.

“Could you hear what Alicia was saying?” Quinn asked.

Donna shook her head. “I couldn’t make out any words. I was going to stop and help, but some of Crawford’s security guys came out the front gate. Bet they drove her back to your cottage.”

“Did you see which guys-”

She gestured with her coffeepot out the window. “Not those two. They’re new.” But she collected herself. “I’m talking too much. I should put your order in.”

As she sipped her coffee, Quinn turned to see who Donna had pointed to and watched Huck Boone and another man, just as buff, shut the doors to a black SUV that had pulled up in front of the diner. She was so startled, she dropped her mug, coffee spilling over her table. She jumped aside before it could hit her and pulled napkins from a dispenser, and began to sop up the coffee.

In an instant Huck was there, scooping up the wet napkins as she grabbed for more. “Got butterfingers this morning, huh?”

“Looks that way.” Using a fresh napkin, she took the wet napkins from him and tried to smile. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“A granola bar at 5:00 a.m. doesn’t go far. We were up early for training.” Instead of running clothes, this morning he wore neat khaki pants and a black lightweight jacket with Breakwater Security over his heart, in discreet gold lettering. He gestured to the man next to him, also in khakis and a black Breakwater Security jacket. “This is Vern, by they way-Vernon Glover. He’s another Breakwater flunky. Vern, meet Quinn Harlowe.”

“My pleasure,” Vern said, but he didn’t offer a hand, nor had he helped clean up the spilled coffee. He turned to Huck. “I’ve got a few things to do in town. I’ll be back for you in thirty minutes.”

He left abruptly. Huck smiled at Quinn. “Looks as if Vern’s not having breakfast with me.”

Quinn started to invite him to join her, but Donna arrived with a damp towel and he took a stool at the counter. Donna mopped the table, nervously glancing at Boone. She leaned close to Quinn and whispered, “Him and the one that just left-they’re armed to the teeth.”

“I’m sure they have permits for any weapons-”

“Shh.”

Quinn started to say something else, but Donna scooted off dramatically, giving Huck a dazzling smile as she disappeared into the kitchen.

With her table wet, Quinn moved to the counter, deliberately sitting next to Huck. He glanced sideways at her. “How are you this morning? Besides jumpy.”

“I’m doing okay. Thanks for asking. I thought getting out would do me good.” She smiled. “Plus, I had no food. Alicia left a yogurt…”

“You need a real breakfast. You look pale.”