Merchants with Evil Intent by Kerrie DuBrock Page B

shrugged, “I’ll call her when I get
home.”
           She hissed, “You might be too late then.”
    *       *       *
           Camryn walked stealthily towards the
front door, with the thirty-eight between her hands.
           “Get away from my door or I’ll blow your
fucking head off!” she screeched, her voice shaky.
           A voice boomed back, “Fine way to talk to
your brother!”
           “Ryan?”
           “Duh! Open the
door! I’ve got your suitcase!”
           She placed the gun on the antique
sideboard and removed the chain from the door.
           Her hands shook when she opened the door.
           “Jesus, Cam! You scared the shit out of
me!”
           “Likewise,” she countered.
           He wrestled the large suitcase and tote
bag through the door and placed them by the couch. He turned, spotting the gun
on the sideboard. His eyes widened.
           “Shit! You weren’t kidding.”
           “Did I sound like I was?”
           “Well, no, but shit! Could you really use
that thing against someone?”
           She nodded, “If I or someone I loved was
being threatened? Hell yeah. I wouldn’t bat an eyelash.”
           He pulled her against him and kissed the
top of her head. “Let’s hope it never comes to that,” he murmured.
    *       *       *
           Colleen sat on the bed while Declan pack
his belongings. “What time is your flight tomorrow morning?”
           “Eleven. Are you goin’ to miss me?”
           “Of course I am, ya silly gobshite! It
seems you just got here and now you’re leaving,” Colleen sighed wistfully.
           “You’re always welcome at Teaghan’s. I
won’t even charge ya!”
           She threw a pillow at him. “Why did you
name the bed-and-breakfast after her?”
           Declan shrugged, “Guilt?”
    *       *       *
           Ryan sat on the edge of Camryn’s bed and
watched as she packed. “Are you sure you can do this?”
           “Do what?” she asked.
           “Take off to another country by
yourself.”
           Camryn sat next to him and patted his
leg. “I’ll be okay. I need to get away to sort things out and since John
offered, I’m takin’. He owes me.”
           “Yeah, what a mind
blower, huh? Now I understand why he felt differently towards you.”
           “It explains a lot, but I’m not going to
worry about it now. I’ll have plenty of time for that later.”
           They heard a soft knock at the front
door.
           “Easy, killer, I’ll get it,” teased Ryan.
    *       *       *
           “Hey Uncle John.”
           “Hi Ryan. Is
Camryn here?”
           Ryan nodded. “Yep. Do you think going by herself is a good idea?”
           John shrugged. “I’m sure she doesn’t want
me to tag along. Besides, she knows how to handle herself.”
           “That’s right, I do,” Camryn scowled,
walking into the living room.
           “Here,” John muttered, handing her a
large brown envelope.
           She eyed him suspiciously and peeked
inside at the contents. Her eyes widened and shot him a reproachful glare. She
withdrew the plane ticket and handed the envelope with the rest of the contents
back to him.
           “Camryn, take the envelope,” John
growled, shoving the envelope back into her hands.
           “I don’t want your money,” she hissed.
           Ryan pulled the envelope from John’s
hands and peeked inside. “Hell, I’ll take it!” They both shot him a dirty look.
Ryan shrugged, “What?”
           John fought back his irritation,
diverting his attention to Camryn. “You’ll need money for food. Plus there’s an
itinerary and the bed-and-breakfasts that I’ve booked and paid for.”
           She glowered at him and hesitantly