Page 55 of Wicked and Claimed

“I’m thinking the same thing. I mean, it’s not impossible that one guy is pulling this off alone, but realistically?”

“Right? He would have to get the victim out the door quietly and get her to a vehicle nearby. He can’t very well be abducting someone and have a van idling at the curb, I wouldn’t think. It’s a no-parking zone, and the chances of the mall cops sweeping the parking lot should be high…”

“Not to mention that he’d have to drug or secure his victim before he could even drive away so she couldn’t fight back or escape while he was focused on the road…”

“But if this is a money-making endeavor, maybe the person responsible isn’t even doing the dirty work. He probably wouldn’t be, right? He’d entrust his buddies or hire that out. Because how would thugs with no connections sell their ‘product’?” she asked.

“There are ways, but it’s much easier when you know shady people.”

Haisley fell silent again, worrying that lip with her teeth.

“Out with it,” Nash demanded. “What are you thinking?”

“I can’t decide if Mr. Benedict is a good suspect because he has the ability to make things—good or bad—happen at the mall or because he’s a prick. I mean, other than financially, he didn’t seem personally distressed about the abductions. According to him, Kaylee Wright ruined Mila’s Christmas, but he didn’t say anything about the kidnapping impacting his. He even admitted to covering it up. According to him, he did it to avoid the bad press and financial implications…but what if that’s a front for the truth? What if he’s really covering it up to hide his involvement. Because I’ve got to be honest. I chatted up the accounting supervisor earlier today, and she said the mall was hugely in the red. The place opened just as the economy started tanking, and at this rate he won’t make his money back for fifty years. Maybe…he decided to make his money off the mall in a different way.”

She wasn’t thinking anything that hadn’t crossed his mind, but… “It’s a good theory, but we don’t have any proof. Hell, we hardly have any clues. But we’ve only been at this two days. We’ll get there.”

“We?” She raised a cool brow his way. “Isn’t Ethan your partner?”

“According to Hunter Edgington, yes. Just like I’m not supposed to look into your boss without his authorization. But Ethan and I mostly work better when we operate separately and compare notes. He doesn’t really like anyone disturbing his ‘thought process.’ I think what he really hates is anyone telling him his unorthodox methods are likely to piss someone off.” He shrugged. “But you… I like that we can bounce our ideas off each other, you know?”

“So you only like my ideas?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

Nash knew Haisley in a snit when he saw it. And as much as he’d wanted to tell her how much he loved her pussy, her heart, and everything in between, she wasn’t ready to hear that. He had to keep this professional, the way she’d insisted their interaction should be.

“You know better than that, baby.” That was as much as he dared to say now.

Haisley sent him a snappy little stare but said nothing.

Finally, they reached the mall and pulled into the parking lot. “When we get inside, I’ll introduce you to Abby, the girl who works at the pastry shop, then let you take the lead?—”

“No offense, but you asked me to talk to her because I’m less intimidating. You breathing down her neck isn’t going to accomplish that.”

As she hopped out of his truck, he followed suit, locking it with the fob and barreling after her in the chilly twilight as she headed for the entrance. “I’m not leaving you alone, not in this mall.”

Haisley rolled her eyes, but it was halfhearted. She knew he was right; she just hated to admit it. The woman had pride in spades.

As they walked toward the entrance, shoulders brushing with nearly every step, Nash made a silent vow. He would find a way to make Haisley feel special and show her that what they had was worth fighting for. Even if it meant taking things slow, building that trust brick by painstaking brick.

She was more than worth the effort.

“Fine. But you need to stay back enough to let her breathe. And no glowering.”

“I don’t glower,” he insisted, pulling the door open for Haisley.

“Oh, please. You think people just get out of your way because you’re tall and they’re afraid you’re going to step on them? Really? It’s your don’t-mess-with-me glare. Shelve that. She’s a girl. I’ll show you how this interview should be done.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

The mall was quiet for a Wednesday night. The unseasonable cold meant the place was even less crowded than usual. Abby stood alone behind the counter at the pastry shop, looking both bored and nervous.

“Stay behind me.” Haisley raised a hand so he’d back off. “I got this.”

He grabbed her by the wrist. “Wait.”

“What?”

God, he was such a sucker for this woman. Even her impatience was adorable. “I know you’ve got this. I just wanted to say I’m glad you’re here. We make a good team. Always have.”

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