Page 109 of It Runs in the Family

“Okay, what do you have?” he asked in a hard tone.

“I’ll tell you when we get to Caleb’s Diner.”

His brow shot up. “Isn’t it early for lunch?”

He had a point. It was barely ten o’clock. “Trust me on this, Boone,” I said. “I’ll explain once we get inside the diner.”

His charger cord fit the iPad, so he plugged it in and set it on the seat between us.

He had a general idea of where the diner was, so he didn’t need much direction. We drove in tense silence.

I hoped what I shared with him at the diner would get us back on the right footing. I told myself it was because this was uncomfortable, not because I enjoyed our banter, but I knew better.

Once Boone pulled into the parking lot, he checked the iPad. “It’s not chargin’. It might be dead.”

“I think it’s pretty old,” I said.

“I’ll leave it in the truck.”

He reached for the door handle, but before he could get out, I blurted, “Do you have a laptop?”

He gave me a pointed look but then nodded and reached behind his seat, tugging out a backpack.

Still clutching the jacket, I followed him into the diner. He walked toward a booth and gestured for me to get in. I slid into the seat facing the door. Then, to my surprise, he got in next to me.

He set the backpack on the table, giving me a satisfied look. “I figured you’d want to look at whatever you’re gonna show me together.”

He had a point. But this way he’d also make sure I didn’t run off with it.

“Fine.”

He unzipped his backpack and slid his laptop out as a waitress walked over.

“What can I get you kids?” she asked with a huge smile.

She couldn’t be more than in her mid-forties, so her calling us kids was amusing, especially since I’d guessed Boone to be at least thirty. She was wearing a Caleb’s Diner shirt with the new logo.

“I want a carafe of coffee,” I said, then turned to Boone, “Do you want any of your own?”

“Just bring me a mug,” he said to the waitress then turned to me. “If you drink the whole carafe, we’ll have her bring more.”

“Sounds good,” the waitress said. “Anything else?”

“Maybe in a bit,” Boone said. “Just the coffee for now.”

She nodded and headed behind the counter.

Boone opened his laptop and then shifted to face me with a blank expression. “Is it a flash drive or a hard drive?”

“Don’t be mad at me, Boone,” I pleaded. “What if you thought I had something that could incriminate Cody? Wouldn’t you hesitate to share it, even if you knew you were ultimately helping him?”

His expression softened as a variety of emotions flashed through his eyes, settling on compassion.

“You’re right,” he finally said. “I understand, but this will only work if we’re honest with each other, Iris.”

“I know, but I’m already at a disadvantage. You’re a cop—excuse me, a Texas Ranger—which is even worse, and you aren’t obligated to tell me anything. In fact, you probably shouldn’t.”

A hint of a smile ticked up his lips. “Are you suggesting you don’t want me to share what I know?”