One Night Standoff - By Delores Fossen Page 0,38

but nothing to do with offshore oil.

“Don’t pretend you don’t know,” Quentin snapped. “It’s stupid and dangerous to keep those files. People would kill for them.”

His anger was so strong she could practically feel it, and even though he didn’t come closer, suddenly his presence felt a lot more menacing than it had just seconds earlier.

“What people?” Clayton demanded.

“Criminals you don’t want to deal with.” He cursed, and it took Quentin a while to regain his composure. “These men are bad, and Lynnie’s playing with fire by holding on to files they want.”

Fed up with not being able to face him head-on, Lenora stepped out from behind Clayton. “I’m not holding on to anything. I washed my hands of you when I found out you’d involved me in your criminal activities. In fact, I believe you could be the person who’s trying to kill us.”

Quentin’s attention dropped to her stomach. He didn’t seem surprised with the baby bump, but he did look disgusted when his gaze volleyed between her and Clayton. Quentin’s next round of profanity was especially bad. He huffed and put his hands on his hips.

“Oh, I get it now,” Quentin said. “I thought you came to the marshal because you believed he could protect you. But it’s more than that. You’re in love with him.”

“No. We’re not in love. We’re not even together like you think,” she answered, because it was true and she didn’t want Quentin aiming his jealous venom at Clayton.

But she quickly realized it was too late for that. And now Clayton was looking at her, silently asking if she’d forgotten all about that kiss.

She hadn’t.

Not a chance of that.

But letting Quentin see that she did have feelings for Clayton would be like poking a rattlesnake with a stick.

“I don’t want you dead,” Quentin finally answered. But his cold, hard look let them know that feeling didn’t extend to Clayton.

“You said on the phone that you believe I was the target of the shooting at the diner,” Clayton reminded him. His voice was all business now, and like her, he probably just wanted this visit over and done. “Why do you think that?”

Quentin hesitated so long that Lenora wasn’t sure he’d answer. “I don’t think it. I know it.”

She looked up at Clayton, to give him a silent reminder that anything coming out of Quentin’s mouth could be a lie, but his gaze was locked to Quentin’s.

“You got any proof or even an explanation to go with that?” Clayton demanded.

“I’ve got information.” And Quentin’s expression changed again. Not for the good, either. It seemed as if he was gloating or something. “You want the proof, find it yourself, Marshal.”

“I’ll do that,” Clayton assured him, “but first I’ll need this so-called information.”

“It’s not so-called. It’s real. Riggs has teamed up again with someone he used to work with a couple of years back. This guy doesn’t have the cash or the brains to orchestrate an attack like the one at the diner, but I figure Riggs provided both in ample amounts.”

Yes, Riggs could indeed do that. With his money and resources, all he had to do was find someone he could pay enough to do his bidding. Or someone he could manipulate. Of course, that person could be the man standing directly in front of them—Quentin.

“Riggs hired a former business associate?” Lenora asked. And yes, she was very skeptical of this info. “If it’s true, why doesn’t the justice department know about this?”

But she had to concede that maybe they did. James could have withheld it from her, especially if he was a dirty agent working for Riggs. He could also be withholding those files that Quentin had just mentioned. If they existed.

Was James that former business associate?

Or was this another lie that Quentin was trying to use to muddy the waters?

That gloating look in Quentin’s eyes went up a notch. “Because the justice department has criminal informants, but I have informants who are still criminals. On active duty, you could say. And no, I’m not naming names. These are people who’ll kill you for betraying them.”

She didn’t doubt that part, but there was still a key piece of information missing here.

“You got a name for Riggs’s business partner?” Clayton pressed.

No glare this time. Just more of that gloating, self-satisfied look. “Lynnie’s met him a time or two because back in the day I used to hire him when I needed some muscle.”

Lenora had to shake her head. “I have no idea what you’re talking