Page 106 of Bennett

“I want to look at the site logs,” Bennett added. “See if he’s been near the project before.”

Laurel’s stomach twisted. “He has. I’ve seen him. Not often, but enough that he blended in.”

Gabe’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then looked at them. “Dale says Rick’s in holding and hasn’t lawyered up yet. I’m heading back.”

After the sheriff left, the place fell quiet again, except for the cook grilling burgers and the soft hum of the nearby cooler.

Bennett shifted, clearly ready to move, either toward the exit or toward whatever lead came next. But Laurel stepped into his path before he could.

“You know who he is, don’t you?”

Bennett didn’t pretend not to understand. His jaw flexed once, slow. “I’m not sure.”

“That’s not a no.”

His gaze met hers, steady but unreadable. “No, it’s not.”

Laurel’s heart pounded in her ears. “Why won’t you tell me?”

She continued to stare at him, searching for anything she could hold on to in his expression. But all she saw was the same frustration, the same weight he always carried tucked just behind his eyes.

Laurel exhaled. “He helped us. And I think he’s watching over me, not watching me. So, whatever this is? I need to know. Not later.”

Bennett didn’t answer at first. He also didn’t pretend to misunderstand. His jaw flexed once, and for a long moment, she didn’t think he’d answer.

Then he nodded. Just once. “Yeah. I do.”

Laurel reached up to set a hand on his arm. “Then tell me.”

He looked at her, and his expression shifted just enough for something real to show through.

“His name’s Theo,” he said quietly. “Theo Vaughn.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Bennett lay still, staring at the faint slant of morning light cutting across the ceiling.

Laurel was curled beside him, one arm tucked beneath her pillow, her hair spilled across his chest and the sheets like some kind of accidental claim.

He liked that. A lot.

Last night, Annie had kicked them out of her place, insisting she was well enough to handle her needs on her own, having had plenty of practice recuperating from her first operation. Laurel had stood firm, stating she wouldn’t leave unless Annie promised to call if she needed help with anything.

It had been a battle of wills he found quietly fascinating, since the two women were so much alike. Annie had begrudgingly agreed, and apparently that was good enough for Laurel, because they’d left soon after, arriving at the building after dark.

Before they’d arrived, he’d had Matthew sweep the place. And Bennett had done another once Laurel was safely inside her locked apartment.

Nothing had been amiss.

Just him.

Laurel shifted closer and sighed in her sleep. She was warm, soft, and peaceful, and he was doing everything in his power not to ruin that with the storm in his head.

He hadn’t slept.

Not really.

Too much going on behind his eyes. Too many threads tightening in the dark.

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