Page 11 of Betrayed

“Thank you.” She said the words, but they lacked sentiment.

The meeting was almost over when Blake finally looked up and made eye contact. Anger flashed across her features before she looked away.

What the hell did I do to piss her off?

“Can I go now?” Blake asked.

John made eye contact, a silent question in his expression. I nodded. I only needed a few minutes to gear up and grab the keys to one of the SSI bulletproof sedans.

I stood.

“This is AJ Janerek. He’ll be with you for the next two days. Jaden Sheppard will be outside the house in the evenings.” Jaden stood and nodded towards Blake.

Blake glared at me.Damn!So much attitude in one look. How was I so drawn to her when she couldn’t even look at me without a scowl on her beautiful face? I broke eye contact and closed my laptop.

“I’ll escort you downstairs. AJ will be right behind us. He’ll be ready to leave in ten minutes.”

My boss was one hell of a leader; who else could give an order without giving an order? There was no doubt I’d be ready to go in eight, because after what happened last week there was no way in hell I’d be late.

After they left, Jamie asked, “What are your thoughts, Max?”

“I’d get more from the note if it was hand-written, but given the word choice and details, I’d say it’s real. Davenport's scared, despite his attempts to hide it.” She tapped her pen on the table. Something else was bothering her.

“I got the same impression,” Jack added. “Blake doesn’t want to believe it’s real, but she’s scared, too.”

I’ll kill anyone who tries to hurt her.

“Feel free to email me if anything comes up. I’ll do what I can around my trial schedule.”

I didn’t envy her the next few days; she’d be stuck sitting in a courtroom waiting to be called to testify for a case she’d helped solve as an FBI profiler.

Maxwell had agreed to attend the early meeting to get a read on the Davenports and analyze the note, but she couldn’t stay. She might not be buddy-buddy with the rest of us, but she was a team player and dedicated to her work. We knew she’d be available in the evenings if we needed her.

“Did anyone else notice the looks Priscilla was giving Blake?” I asked.

“Yeah, she almost looked jealous, which is insane,” Max agreed. I was glad I wasn’t the only one who’d noticed. “It’s worth looking into.”

“Agreed. Women who marry for money and status often go to extreme lengths to get, and keep, what they want,” Jack said.

I looked at my watch and was about to leave when Jamie said, “AJ, it goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway. College campuses are a hive of activity, so keep your eyes up and your head on a swivel. And wear your vest.”

“Yes, sir.” He was right—it didn’t need to be said. “Text me with updates. I’m going back to college.” I chuckled. Having earned my associate's degree online, I'd never attended a class on a college campus.

Though I’ve spent the night in a dorm room or two.

Jack stopped me just outside the conference room door. “You okay?”

“Yeah, why?”

“You don’t seem like yourself, and you were staring at Blake like a man possessed,” Jack said.

“Just looking for clues, honing my PI skills.” I laughed it off. “I gotta run. Can’t be late twice in… well, ever.”

Jack clapped me on the shoulder with a laugh. “Be careful.”

“Always.” I said as I headed for the stairs, taking them two at a time as I rushed to my office. We had gear lockers in our offices, and I had to grab my rifle,just in case, and my soft vest. Knowing my fitted SSI polo wouldn’t hide it, I changed into a looser t-shirt, then tossed on a flannel. I didn’t know how college kids dressed, but this would have to do for today.

When I walked into the lobby with a minute to spare, Blake greeted me with an impatiently tapping foot and a look that could freeze a flame.

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