Designed for seduction, he thought. There was something about her that seemed oddly familiar, yet her eyes were dark, not the green of the cat he'd seen in the forest.
"Surely not," he replied lightly. "I'd never forget such a beautiful face." Maddie, he thought with amusement, would probably have made a face at such an obvious line. Or gone into fits of laughter. This woman merely smiled, though he felt a wariness in her that matched his own. And it wasn't the usual wariness of two shapeshifters meeting for the first time.
"Eleanor Dumaresq," she said. "Perhaps you have time for a cup of coffee?" He took her offered hand. Her fingers were warm and pliant against his, yet he felt an inner core of strength in them. The woman was more than simply a shapeshifter. Old magic swirled about her, a sense so strong he could almost taste it.
He let his touch linger a little longer than was necessary and studied her eyes. Her gaze called to the wildness in him.
Old magic was the key—and the danger—Seline had warned of when she'd sent him to Taurin Bay. It was an image that seemed to fit Eleanor well. Yet there was nothing more than a gut feeling and the words of an old witch tying Eleanor to the disappearances.
But as much as he would have loved to accept Eleanor's invitation and pursue the mystery she presented, he couldn't. Not with Maddie waiting for him in the cafe. He didn't want to endanger her by introducing her to someone who might well be involved in the attempt on his life.
"I'm afraid I can't just now," he said, glancing past her to study the restaurant's interior. Why did he suddenly feel Maddie needed his help?
"A shame," Eleanor replied warmly. "But I'm sure we'll meet again. Taurin Bay is such a small town, after all."
He glanced at her sharply. There was definitely an edge of warning in her mellow tones. "I'm sure we will."
In fact, he'd make damn sure they did. Eleanor might not be the cat he'd seen in the forest, or even the one in the inn, but something told him she was involved in the disappearances. The brief flash of confusion in her eyes the moment they'd met told as much. As did the shimmer of hate that shone through her aura.
He watched her walk away, then quickly entered the
restaurant.
***
"Mr. Stewart, what a surprise to see you here." Maddie forced a smile, and hoped she didn't look as nervous as she felt.
"I was about to say the same thing." He dragged out a chair and sat down opposite her. "This restaurant is not the usual tourist stop."
"My sister recommended it," she said quickly, then silently cursed her own stupidity. Any mention of Jayne and Evan was plain suicidal if this man was involved with her nephew's disappearance.
"Really? Does she come here often?"
Though Hank's question was casual, she couldn't miss the edge of tension around his thin mouth. She nodded, lowering her gaze as she took a quick sip of her drink.
"What's her name? Maybe I know her."
"Jayne Smith," she replied, knowing her sister had only visited Taurin Bay under her married name of Gaskell.
The dangerous light in Hank's eyes faded. He sat back in the chair and lightly toyed with a knife. She suddenly felt like a mouse facing a large and hungry cat.
"The only Smith I know is the lovely young lady now sitting opposite me." He meant to flatter her, but he only succeeded in making her feel ill. She pushed the rest of her milkshake away and gathered her bag. She'd be damned if she'd wait any longer for Jon—especially if Hank intended to keep her company.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Stewart, but I really must go."
"No time for another drink? It would give me a chance to apologize for my abrupt behavior this morning. You might even find yourself enjoying my company." She forced another smile and shook her head as she stood. "I'm sorry, but I really have to leave."
"Why? Are you meeting someone?"
Her gaze jerked to his at the question. He knows, she thought, studying his eyes. He knows I'm involved with Jon somehow. I should have stayed home, stayed safe.
But being safe wouldn't find Evan.
"What business is it of yours?" she retorted tightly, her fingers clenched against the strap of her handbag. "Do you usually take this much interest in the inn's guests?"
He smiled lazily. "No. Just the exceptionally pretty ones." The man was a sleaze, whether or not he was involved with Evan's disappearance. "I'm sure the inn's owners will be pleased to discover you take such an interest."
He laughed, white teeth flashing. Her stomach turned. Evil haunted the depths of his laughter. Maddie swallowed and looked away. What on Earth made her think that? God, she needed a drink.