Page 77 of Target Acquired
He whipped back through the kitchen and stepped through the front door just in time to see Kenzie being led to a table. He followed, glancing left at Butler’s table, and finally got a glimpse of the other guy.
And whoa. Oscar Woodruff?
He slid into the booth, still unnoticed by either man deep in conversation. Serious conversation. “To the exclusion of all else” kind of conversation.
“Wonder what that’s all about?” Kenzie murmured.
“It’s like you read my mind.”
“It’s not so hard to do sometimes.”
The waitress took their drink order and left. He glanced at Kenzie. “You flashed your badge at the hostess to get bumped to the front of the line, didn’t you?”
“Guilty. Told her we were watching someone. Someone who was not dangerous or a threat in any way, just someone we were keeping an eye on. She was thrilled to help.”
“Someone who wants to help a cop? That’s refreshing.”
“Her father’s a cop.”
He smiled.
“What?” she asked.
“How do you do that?”
“Do what?”
“You’re like best friends with her from the time it takes to walk from the hostess station to the table.”
“Not best friends exactly. She just volunteered the information when I told her what I needed.”
“Everyone talks to you.” He eyed her. “Why is that?”
She slid a glance at Butler’s table, then reconnected with him. “Not everyone.”
“Yeah.”
“You see who he’s with.”
“I do.”
“I thought he quit law enforcement for personal reasons a few months ago.”
“Yeah.” Cole rubbed his jaw. “He did, but he’s coming back. It was more of a sabbatical than a quit.”
“Oh, okay, I’m glad to hear that.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “What is it? Tell me.”
“You know how I said the SWAT position was between you and another guy?”
“Yes.”
“Oscar Woodruff is the other guy.”
NINETEEN
Kenzie sucked in a hard breath just as Butler looked up, his eyes landing on hers. He flinched and immediately swung his attention to Cole.
Anger flashed across his face for a brief second before it was gone, and he stood to make his way over to their table. “Garrison. King.”