Page 49 of Savage Peril

“I’m up to my eyeballs in investigations,” Rip said. “Lela has been busy with charities. But she quit her job at the law firm to stay home and be a mom.”

“She’s pregnant?”

“Not yet…but we’re working on it,” Rip said cheerfully.

“Don’t let me keep you, then,” Gunner said.

After the call, Gunner made coffee and poured two cups. He had heard Lori moving about in her bedroom, so she would be out shortly.

When Lori emerged dressed for work in a figure-flattering outfit, Gunner nearly dropped his cup.

“Was it something I said?” Lori asked with big eyes.

“You look good enough to eat,” Gunner said, then kissed her cheek. He didn’t know how he had resisted her this long. Even staying away out of a sense of duty was starting to wear thin.

Lori sat at the table and sipped her coffee.

“You look like you’re feeling better this morning,” Gunner said.

“I won’t kid you,” Lori said. “I’m crushed by what happened to my father. But I’m determined to solve the mystery. It makes me feel better just to take action.”

“You’re going to the clinic today?”

“Yes, but I’m concerned,” Lori said. “After Matt attacked me, I should have fired him.”

“I don’t like the idea of him being near you.”

“I agree,” Lori said. “But there is more at stake than my safety.”

“What could be more important than that?”

Lori shared her suspicions about Matt. “His illegal activities are a concern, because I don’t want to get pulled into the mire with him. But I don’t have enough evidence to nail him.”

“You have a point,” Gunner said. “If Matt is dealing drugs, I’ll find out. He must be making contact with a buyer. I’ll have Travis set up a surveillance crew to watch him. They should be able to get some incriminating video as evidence.”

“Then I should hold off until you do,” Lori said. “I don’t want to tip him off.”

“How does he act around you?”

“Matt has continued with business as usual,” Lori said. “Yet when I’m around he seems nervous. I doubt anyone else detects that, but I know him well.”

“You have to be careful,” Gunner said.

“I have Sarah keeping an eye on him,” Lori said. “And when I’m at work, I can stick close to Adam.”

“I’ll get the team set up right away. I don’t want Matt around you any longer than necessary.” Gunner wanted the guy gone immediately, but if he could catch him in the act, it would be worth waiting a couple of days. The FBI would be very interested in a clinic administrator dealing drugs.

Lori put her cup in the sink, then held Gunner’s hands. “I know I can count on you.” She leaned up and kissed him.

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