Page 56 of Dangerous Secret

“Just left there and was about to call you. Veronica wasn’t working on a big deal before she disappeared. Noone there really knows anything about why she went missing. One woman who was apparently a work friend said that Veronica had a secret boyfriend, and she thinks they ran away together. I asked her why she thinks that, and she said because Veronica had told her the boyfriend was married but his wife wouldn’t give him a divorce, so they went to Canada.”

“Canada?”

“Yeah, I asked that, too, and she said that was where she’d go if she ever ran away. Basically, not much help. None of them have entertained the thought that Veronica’s dead.”

“I didn’t expect they’d know much, but it was worth a try. I finished reading Veronica’s diary. She did try to blackmail him. He told her to meet him behind the bowling alley at midnight and he’d give her the money.”

“And she didn’t think that was a bad idea?”

“She did think it was but went anyway. I need you to see if there are any cameras in that area.” He gave Cooper the date recorded in the diary of the meet. “I’m guessing Pressley would make sure there weren’t any when he picked the location, but maybe we’ll get lucky.”

“We can hope, but most companies don’t save their recordings that long. Anything else?”

“Not right now. I’m about to head to Faberville.”

“What if that dude who saw you at the diner recognizes you?”

“Stand by a sec.” He jogged inside, put on the fake eyeglasses, took a selfie and sent it to Cooper.

“Who’s that?”

Grayson laughed. “You don’t recognize him?”

“Should I? Wait, is that you?”

“Yep.”

“I would’ve walked right by you on the street.”

“That was the goal. I’m heading to the dealership shortly to pick up a used car. We still on tonight?” Cooper was bringing Pressley’s driver by to go over the plan.

“We’ll be at your new digs around nine.”

“Great. See you then.”

* * *

The apartment was better than Grayson expected. It was small and had the barest of furniture: a worn leather sofa, a small dining table with two chairs and a full-size bed. He was going to miss his king, and he should have thought to bring his pillow. The two on the bed weren’t going to cut it. And sheets. He was not going to sleep on a bare mattress.

He dropped the bag with his clothes and toiletries on the bed, then slid the bag with his weapons deep underneath. A trip to find sheets and decent pillows was in order. Also, he’d swing by the grocery store… Was there a coffee maker in the kitchen? He checked, and no, there wasn’t. Nor were there any dishes or silverware. And he needed a towel. If he left now, he’d have time to get the things he needed and be back before his meeting at nine.

Although he was tempted to stop by Harlow’s and show her his new appearance, it wasn’t a good idea. If he went to her apartment, he’d want to stay.

Chapter 26

Harlow needed to make one more trip to the grocery store before Lena arrived tomorrow, but she didn’t want to risk another confrontation with Anthony or Arthur when she was alone, so she called for an Uber. It was a relief that neither Anthony nor Arthur was waiting to accost her.

She wouldn’t be long and asked the driver to wait. Since she didn’t need to get much, she grabbed a small cart. Fruit, tomatoes and romaine lettuce were first on her list, so she steered the cart to the produce department. Fresh bread was next, and she added a loaf of French and one of sourdough to the cart. Last was the makings for sundaes. She’d already bought the ice cream but thought it would be fun to make sundaes.

As she pushed the cart around the corner to the chocolate syrup aisle, she collided with another cart. “Oh, I’m sorry. I wasn’t loo…” She blinked at the man standing in front of her. He was Grayson but he wasn’t Grayson. The man’s head was shaved, and he wore glasses, but she’d know those eyes and that body anywhere. “Gra—”

He shook his head. “No problem, pretty lady. I wasn’t watching where I was going either.” He pushed the cart around hers, and as he passed by her, he winked.

It took every bit of her control not to turn around andstare at him. Two aisles later, they passed each other again, and all she wanted to do was stand there and let her eyes soak up this new bad-boy-looking Grayson. There was an edge to him now that sent a delicious shiver down her spine. Lust pure and simple sent heat spiraling through her. As if he could read her mind, one side of his mouth quirked up, and she felt her cheeks blushing.

“I’ll come to you late tonight,” he whispered without looking at her. “Now go.”

Flustered, she snatched the closest thing to her and dropped it in her cart. As she headed for the chocolate syrup, she glanced down and saw that she’d grabbed a package of birthday cake sparklers. She laughed. Well, she was feeling rather sparkly after seeing the new Grayson. When she reached the front of the store to check out, Grayson was gone.

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