Page 74 of Peak’s Code

"You've lost your mind,” she said under her breath.

He shut off the engine. "No, I'm buying time."

"For what?" she asked.

"They're watching us right now,” he said, pointing toward the road. "If we panic, then they know they still control us."

The three of them casually got out of the truck and walked into the diner. Inside, the place smelled like bacon and fresh coffee. A waitress with silver hair greeted Peak with a smile. "Mornin', honey."

"Mornin', June,” he said.

Maeve noticed the friendly exchange immediately. "You've been here before."

"Every Tuesday,” Peak said.

June looked at Maeve. "So, who is this pretty girl?" she asked.

Peak nearly choked, and Maeve looked at him. “I’m Maeve,” she said, holding her hand out to the waitress.

“June,” she said, giving Maeve’s hand a firm shake. “Have a seat anywhere, and I’ll be right with you.”

Peak rubbed the back of his neck and nodded over to the corner booth. Before they could even sit down, June was pouring them all coffee and handing them menus. “I already know your order, honey,” she said to Peak. Maeve noticed how his cheeks turned the cutest shade of pink.

"I come here a lot,” he defended.

June laughed. "He does. Usually alone." She winked at Maeve. "But not today." Peak looked mortified, and Maeve couldn't help smiling.

“Well, since Peak seems to know this place so well, I’ll have whatever he usually gets,” Maeve said.

“Same,” Warden said, handing June back his menu. “And keep the coffee coming.” She nodded and walked back to the kitchen to put in their orders.

They had taken the booth furthest from the windows, and Peak chose the seat facing the door. Maeve was sitting next to him, closest to the window. “I’m hitting the head,” Warden said as he disappeared toward the restroom after muttering something about bad motel coffee. The moment he was gone, Peak pulled a folded napkin from his pocket.

Maeve frowned. "What's that?"

"The evidence bag,” he said.

She blinked. "You brought it?” she asked. “I thought that Captain took it with him.”

"I switched it out while we were back at the motel,” he said.

"When did you have time to do that?” she asked.

"While Captain was talking."

She stared at him. "You stole evidence from your own president?"

"Technically, I borrowed it,” he said. “Besides, now that Captain is missing, I’d say that it was a good thing that I took it from him. Otherwise, whoever has him would have this.” He unfolded the napkin and inside lay the coded strip Wren had hidden.

Maeve's heart pounded. "You brought it."

"I figured we'd need it."

She smiled. "I definitely like you."

"I was hoping you’d feel that way about me, honey,” he said, bobbing his eyebrows at her. She leaned in to kiss him, and Warden groaned.

“Get a fucking room,” he grumbled, sliding back into the booth.