Small Town Justice(47)
“I have to help my brother.”
“And we will, I promise. But let’s start by having a talk with Pastor Malloy and seeing what he advises. He told me to leave things to the authorities when I brought up the subject this morning, but now that we know more, I think he’ll feel differently.”
Although her jaw muscles tightened and her eyes narrowed, she gave in. “Okay. For right now, I’ll keep my mouth shut. But the second I think these rats may walk free, I’m going to do something about it.”
“Fair enough.” In view of her righteous anger, Shane figured he was doing well to have gotten any promise. Now all he had to do was keep her from acting like the idiotic heroines in the movies and on TV who walked into dark rooms and didn’t turn on the lights.
Unbridled emotions were funny things. They could make fools out of geniuses. And often did.
* * *
Jamie understood that having dinner in a restaurant after church was common practice. The only surprise came when Shane drove their little party out of Serenity. “Where are we going?”
Seated in the narrow half backseat with Kyle, Marsha said, “Otis likes DD’s Diner in Gumption. He’s going to meet us there.”
“It’s a retro fifties place,” Shane added. “The food isn’t fancy but it’s always delicious.”
Jamie Lynn sighed and began to relax. “Good. I’ve had just about all the pleasantries I can stand for one morning. It’ll be good to get out of town and kick back.”
She saw Shane smile as he glanced at her. “I’m glad you feel you can relax and be yourself with us.”
The truth of that statement hit her squarely in the conscience. “I should have been totally honest in the first place,” Jamie said. “I really am sorry.”
“We didn’t meet under the best of circumstances. It’s understandable that you’d be cautious.”
“Not cautious enough.” She pressed her lips together in a thin line. “I’m still not sure whether it’s smart to confront the people I think are crooks or if I should bide my time and try to gather more evidence against them.”
“If you’re asking me,” Shane said flatly, “neither.”
“Then I guess I’m not asking,” she replied with a chuckle. “Look. There’s Otis.”
“And a parking place,” Shane said. “Must be our day.”
Jamie agreed. Except for the one incident with the face peering through the nursery door, which still rattled her when she thought about it, the morning had actually been pleasant.
She stepped out of the way so Shane could help his mother down from the backseat. Otis was there to take her other hand, and the look in his eyes was so loving, so sweet, it reminded her of the way her parents used to gaze at each other. She blew a sigh. So, so long ago.
The men stood aside for Marsha and Jamie to enter the café with Kyle, then followed closely. The place was crowded. Only one table was available.
Following Marsha and the little boy, Jamie scanned the old movie posters plastered all over the walls. Black-and-white checkerboard floor tiles were accented by red-topped tables and matching chairs.
As they jockeyed for seats at the table, Jamie was about to slide in when Shane grabbed her arm. “You sit over here.”
“Okay.” Although she didn’t ask why, she did shoot him a questioning look.
The tilt of his head was barely noticeable. She turned slightly. Looked at the table next to theirs. And saw a man she might not have recognized if he had not been glaring at her.
It was Judge Robert Randall.
FOURTEEN
By shifting Jamie Lynn to the opposite side of the table with his mother and Kyle, Shane was able to place Otis and himself between Randall and the women. He would have been happier if he hadn’t had to turn his back on the man to do so. Judging by the expression on Jamie’s face, she knew exactly what he’d done and why.
His mother didn’t look pleased, either. She arched a brow at her husband, then gave Shane the same treatment. He shrugged in reply, ignored her and spoke to his son. “Chicken strips or a burger, Kyle?”
“Cheeseburger!”
Jamie leaned closer. “You don’t have to yell, honey. We can hear you fine.”
“Cheeseburger,” the boy repeated. “And a soda.”
“Milk,” Shane said, eyeing Jamie Lynn. “We don’t want you to eat junk food.”
A resonant voice behind him caught his attention. He didn’t know who the judge was ostensibly speaking to, but his words were clearly meant for Shane’s party.
“I say, people who endanger children should lose custody of them.”