Redemption Key (A Dani Britton Thriller) (36 page)

Without waiting to be asked, Dani poured Mr. Randolph a vodka over ice with a lime wedge squeezed to death in it. Peg abandoned the margarita she was making and poured something into a tall glass for Caldwell.

One of the Michigan women must have noticed the change in the air because she looked down the bar at the two men. She squinted at Mr. Randolph’s sling and scowled at Caldwell’s careful movement.

“Well,” she said in a voice too loud for the quiet bar, “what happened to you two?”

Caldwell scowled. Mr. Randolph took a sip of his drink before speaking.

“We forgot our safe word.”

The woman tilted her head like a confused dog. Nobody spoke until Rolly leaned out the kitchen window.

“Twenty-four?”

All eyes turned to Mr. Randolph.

He nodded. “Twenty-four.”

He made circles in the air with his good hand and the locals cheered. Dani started pouring the tequila.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Many thanks to my development editor, David Downing. As always, you make me a better writer even while you make me laugh. Terry Goodman, you’ll forever be my Dark Overlord, and I’m very psyched to be kicking off a new journey with Alison Dasho. The whole team at Thomas & Mercer deserves heaps of praise.

Thanks to my agent, friend, and rubber-room renter, Christine Witthohn. Love ya,
chica
.

I wore so many people out, badgering them for their expertise: Lara Nance, who is my
de facto
boating expert; Jamie Whitt for his aviation expertise and tireless enthusiasm; Gordon Ramey, who corrects my gun lingo; and Mike Eden at Eden House at Key West, who put such a friendly face on Florida for us. They did the best they could to get through to me. All mistakes are my own.

I freely stole names from some very nice people to create some not-so-nice characters. Thanks to the real Jim Bermingham, Mr. Shawn Randolph, and Mike Caldwell. I hope you all had fun.

Big love to my family near and far; to Gina, Debra, Tenna, Christy, and Angela—the amazing Hitches I get to call friends; to my fellow WV Writers, BC Babes, and Matera Peeps, especially Liz Jennings, who always has time for me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PHOTO © JESSICA ST. JAMES

An avid traveler, S.G. Redling lives and writes in West Virginia.