“But our friendly federal agents aren’t likely to wander into our kitchen, are they?” Before Lou could wave out some backup, Cain put her hand on his shoulder. “Just you and me, Lou. We don’t want to scare the timid things away.”
The cafe across the street was crowded with guys who worked at the various docks close by, but the waitress wiped off a table in the back corner and smiled at Cain as they took a seat. She ordered a sweet roll to go with the coffee and acknowledged every greeting the other patrons offered.
“What’d you get Hayden for his birthday?” Lou asked. After Cain cut her sweet roll and offered some to him, he picked up half of it.
“A hunting trip he asked about a couple of months ago. I told him how much my brother Billy liked the sport, and he wants to try it out.”
“You’re going hunting? When was the last time you did that?”
“I’ve only been once, so it’s been awhile. Hayden seemed excited, and I didn’t have the heart to let him down.”
“He’s excited about spending time with you, Boss.” Lou accepted a refill and another roll.
“I spend time with him,” Cain said as she brought her brows together, not understanding what he meant.
“I know you do, but he’s got to share you now. When Emma and Hannah moved in, he didn’t have you twenty- four-seven like he did before.” He brushed his hands off and finished his coffee. “Not that he’d change things, but I think he still misses it a bit.”
“Thanks for telling me, and I’m glad we’re going away for a few days. The trip’s not until the fall, but maybe we can squeeze some fishing in when it gets warmer.”
Lou’s face became devoid of emotion as he nodded. “You’re about to get a bite now.”
“I sure made that intro easy for you,” Cain said with a short laugh. Throughout their talk she’d kept her eyes on Shelby and Lionel, who were seated at the counter returning the favor.
“What do you think it’d take for these guys to stop watching?”
“That’s an easy one too, Lou. They’ll stop when I give them what they want, but that won’t be today.”
“Cain, could we join you for a minute?” Shelby asked. The two empty chairs at their table had their backs to the door and were in the way of the wait-staff traffic to and from the kitchen. They were the worse seats in the place, making Cain smirk when she pushed Shelby’s chair out with her foot.
“Are you here for the sweet rolls?” Cain asked, and Lou smiled slightly.
“Good place to get coffee.” Shelby sat down and laid her hands on the table.
“Just happen to be in the neighborhood, or are you planning to join the longshoreman’s union?”
“Could we call a truce until we finish our coffee?” Shelby asked. “You know why I’m here.”
“Sure, what can I do for you?”
“We wanted to talk. I don’t know if you’ve met—”
“Special Agent Lionel Jones, computer guru and boy genius? No, we haven’t met, but I’ve heard so much about him.”
“How did you...” Lionel acted like he didn’t know how to finish the question.
“I’ve always believed if I have to show you mine, you have to give some up as well.” Cain shrugged, then folded her arms in front of her chest and sat up straighter. “Maybe once Shelby starts on her second career as a longshoreman I’ll do something new as well. I might try my hand at writing. Think anyone would be interested in a book about what FBI agents do on their days off? What cute little sites on the Internet their boy geniuses visit when no one’s looking?”
Cain had to laugh when Lionel blushed visibly, despite his deep olive complexion. Sometimes she really enjoyed these guessing games that took only a little information and a lot of imagination.
“Stop picking on Lionel,” Shelby said as she looked from Cain to her coworker.
“If I do, will you return the favor?” Cain said, her smile not diminishing. “And to save time, don’t bother to tell me you can’t. We both know it’s your life’s work to follow me around skulking in shitty little vans and dark rooms. What’s brought you out of your cocoon next door?”
“We wanted to give you our condolences for what happened to Rick Greco. I realize you had nothing to do with it, but you did visit his family yesterday.”
What Shelby had said made no sense to her, and because it didn’t, Cain stayed quiet as she sorted the puzzle pieces in her head. No matter their past dealings, Shelby didn’t often crawl out of her hole to interact with her, so something had spooked her. Cain might’ve crossed the street to fish, but so had Shelby.
“Do you mean if Lionel here meets some tragic end, you wouldn’t bother to visit his family to offer your respects? Tsk,” Cain shook her head slowly, “I thought you were raised better than that, Agent Philips.”
“I didn’t say it was wrong.” Shelby seemed hesitant.
“You must’ve found something objectionable about it, considering you were most probably listening in, which reminds me.” Cain turned her attention to Lionel. “What’s your favorite song, Lionel? You don’t mind me calling you Lionel, do you?”
“No, I don’t mind,” Lionel stopped to clear his throat, “and the theme from
“How manly of you, but back to Shelby’s problem.”
“I don’t have a problem, Cain,” she said, sounding as if she was losing patience.
