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Jana stopped in front of him. “What are you doing here, Rakel?”
“Can’t a man have a cup of coffee?”
That was one thing that had annoyed Jana about him. He couldn’t answer a question without giving her a hard time. “What do you want?”
Rakel’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t appreciate your tone.”
“I don’t care what you appreciate,” Jana said. “We aren’t married anymore, in case you forgot.” She’d thought she’d been on friendly terms with him, but he’d picked a bad time for macho posturing.
“I tried to call, but only got your voicemail.”
“Not that it’s your business, but I went skiing and left my phone at home,” Jana said. “A woman has a right to have some time away.”
Thaddeus moved an inch closer, nearer than Jana was. He was prepared for trouble.
Rakel glanced up. “Who is this behemoth by your side? I wasn’t aware you liked the Viking type.”
“Whatever you want from me, you’re going about it the wrong way,” Jana said. “I shouldn’t have to tell you a damn thing.” She waved a hand. “This is my bodyguard.”
Rakel laughed, in the grating way that only he could. “You’re sure he’s not more than that?” he smirked. “There had to be some reason you left me.”
“Whatever you’re implying,” Jana said, “you are way off course. But then, you knew that. The reason I left you is because you were impossible to get along with.” She should have told him that he was an ass, but she didn’t want to stand outside the shop any longer.
Rakel lifted his phone. “I was trying to find you because I was worried. But you weren’t at home and Eva didn’t know where you’d gone. At the ski shop, Alton said the same. You’d called to say you wouldn’t be in, but he had no idea why.”
“You’re starting to sound like a stalker,” Jana said. “It’s creepy for you to snoop into my activities.”
“Maybe so,” Rakel said, “but have you seen this?” He handed the phone to her. Thaddeus looked too. The report was all over social media. The car bomb was big news.
“That’s why I have a bodyguard,” Jana said. “Now…if you’ll excuse me.” She started to walk past Rakel.
“I’m not done with you yet.” Rakel glanced at Thaddeus as if to make sure he wouldn’t intercede.
“I’m done with you.” Jana turned away, then Rakel grabbed her arm.
In a deep, even tone, Thaddeus said, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
Jana shrugged free. “I don’t know what your problem is. I thought you wanted to remain friends. This is not how friends behave.”
“I think that something is up with you,” Rakel said. “If you’re dealing with bombs and need a bodyguard, there has to be a reason.” He paused. “And whatever you have up your sleeve, I want a part of it.”
Jana was stunned. “What in the world are you talking about?”
“What is it…that someone is after?” Rakel said. “As I recall, you planned to use your engineering skill for profit. I don’t know what you’ve been working on, but whatever it is…I want some.”
Jana’s jaw dropped. “You have a lot of nerve.”
“No, you do.” Rakel leaned closer. “You’d take it all for yourself, wouldn’t you? You forget that I put you through engineering school.”
“You did no such thing. My grandfather helped with that.” Jana was livid.
“Yeah, but I was married to you. I had to put up with the long nights of studying. I was the one who was neglected while you pursued your degree.”
“You have no right to anything I have,” Jana said. “We. Are. Divorced.” She moved toward the café, but Rakel reached for her.
Thaddeus put his hand on Rakel’s chest. “This conversation is over.” Then he followed Jana inside.
When the door shut, Jana expelled a breath. “Sorry about that. He hasn’t bothered me in a while.” She found a table and took a seat, feeling rattled.
