Page 12 of Long Past Deadly

“Very good, sir. I’ll get things organized.”

“You should join us for this conversation first.” Quaid poured himself a cup of coffee he didn’t need, but sleep wasn’t coming any time soon regardless of what his tired body wanted.

Niles placed the bags on the floor by the bar, straightened his black suit jacket, and walked to the table. He didn’t sit. The man never sat when Quaid was in the room. Sometimes it annoyed him, like now. “Sit, Niles.”

Barker took a different chair since Mackey had stolen his seat and leaned back with studied indifference.

Quaid forked his last bite and faced Mackey. “Did you fill Niles in?”

“Yes.”

“He did, sir.”

“I’m up to speed, too.” Carl crossed his arms. “What’s next?”

Mackey put a hand on the cover of the other plate.

Quaid stopped him. “That’s for Alanna. She hasn’t eaten either.”

Carl straightened. “Alanna who?”

“Alanna Williams, the FBI liaison.”

“She the one who saved your butt?” The man knew exactly how many women he’d brought here to wine and dine. But Alanna was different.

“Yeah.”

“Where is she?” Carl looked around.

Quaid tipped his head to her bedroom. “Showering. She should be out soon.” He’d expected her before now. She didn’t seem the type to be left out of this conversation.

He rose and went to the door. Awkward coated the situation. He knocked before he could over analyze it. “Alanna. I have clothes.”

Niles hurried to the bags and pulled the bigger one to hand him.

She didn’t answer.

“Williams, you awake?” He knocked again.

The door silently opened. “Yes?” Alanna, wearing a white hotel robe, kept the heavy oak panels between them. Her face was flushed with color.

“Are you all right?” Inane question, but he had to say something before his brain absorbed all her soft, dewy skin.

“That hot tub is lethal. I fell asleep. Did you say you have clothes?”

“Yes.” He handed her the bag. “Join us, will you?”

“Us?”

“Mackey, Barker, and Niles.”

“Where did these come from?” Displeasure edged with temper coated her tone.

“Niles acquired them. You can ask him.”

She let her tense posture release. “Give me a minute.”

“Food’s here, too. Join us when you’re ready.”