Page 11 of Devil
“I will, yes,” she answered. The two faux cleaning women hadn’t found what they’d come for, and Devil felt comfortable letting them continue their charade knowing that Cyn was tracking them. Even so, as soon as she checked her lab computer, she was going to turn her attention to figuring out who the women were. And what they were doing in Dr. Pritchard’s lab.
“Are you sure you don’t need a hand here?” she asked.
“I’m good,” he said, waving her away. She was almost to the door when he called her name. She stopped and looked back. “About Smith House, I should have just told you that I admire what you’ve done in support of their program. I wasn’t sure if you’d want to talk about your involvement, and I was trying to be sensitive to your comfort level by tiptoeing around. I apologize for that coming across any other way.”
She held his gaze, and though she saw nothing but sincerity there, she wasn’t quite ready to believe him. If there was one thing life had taught her, it was that some people were very, very good at lying.
“How did you find out?” she asked.
“I mentioned to Esteban that I work with you. He told me all about the program.”
“And did he tell you I own the inn as well?” The lack of surprise on his face told her that he did, in fact, know she owned it.
He shook his head. “Esteban only told me about the program, but after he told me, I was intrigued. I did some research and found it’s owned by TDC Holdings, a company you, and three other women, own.”
It wasn’t exactly a secret that she and her friends owned and invested in a few businesses. But it wasn’t easy information to come by, and he would have had to do some digging to find it.
“You did more than a little research,” she said. And she’d be returning the favor as soon as she got home. She didnotlike that he was digging into her life.
He shrugged again. “You’re an interesting woman. Can I take you for drinks after we’re both done here?”
She wasn’t often caught off guard, but she hadn’t expected that invitation. She regarded him coolly. “I’m worth a second look now that you know who I am?” she countered. His brows dipped, but wanting to clear the air, she continued. “You weren’t the slightest bit interested the first night I saw you at Smith House, and now you are. Forgive me if I find that suspicious. So, thanks, but no thanks, Commander.”
He might have said something more, or perhaps not. Either way, she was through the door, down the stairs, and in her own lab before she gave herself free rein to curse the man. Darius wasn’t the first to pursue her because of her connections and wealth, but somehow he managed to be the first one that disappointed her. The only one she wished was different.
Not wanting to dwell on the exchange, she texted Cyn to see if she’d gotten anything from the footage.
“Running the women through facial recognition since I assume they aren’t actually the cleaning staff they purport to be,”Cyn replied. Devil hadn’t taken the time to text all the details, so Cyn was only guessing why she was tracking the women.
“They aren’t. Any chance you’re looking into the actual cleaning staff?”Devil asked. It would be easier to call Cyn and talk in person. But with the arrival of the faux cleaners, Devil wanted to do a sweep of her lab before discussing anything out loud.
“Nora is looking into them,”Cyn responded.
“What have the two that are here been up to since you logged in?”
“Cleaning, actually,”Cyn responded.“Not well, mind you, but cleaning.”
“They haven’t gone into any other labs?”
“Negative. In fact, it looks like they are wrapping up. Want me to get someone on them?”
“If they can get here in time, yes.”Devil would have preferred to follow them herself, but it wasn’t practical. There were two of them and only one of her, and her car was too distinctive. If someone else was available, it was the better option.
“Glad you said that, since I already called Lucy right after you texted me. Two of Brian’s cousins are already on their way. I’ve provided them with pictures of the women and will send them an update once we know how they plan to travel.”
Lucy James was a tech genius they often worked with as well as the wife of Brian DeMarco. Nearly all of Brian’s family was in law enforcement, military, private security, or public service. And after a couple of his cousins had helped Cyn track a few terrorists eight months earlier, they’d been teaming up with the DeMarcos ever since.
“Perfect. I’m going to check my lab computer, and then I’ll head home. I also want to look into Commander Darius Washington, the new chief operations officer.”
“You think he allowed those two women in?”
Darius might be a bit of a creeper, but she was certain he wasn’t a traitor.“No, but he knows more about me than I’m comfortable with.”
“Babe, if someone other than the five of us knows anything about you other than your name and occupation, you think they know too much about you.”
Devil narrowed her eyes even though Cyn couldn’t see.“You make that sound like something weird.”
“Because it is, but we love you anyway.”
