Page 125 of Untouchable
Kelly bit her lip, hating the idea of waiting that long before they had concrete proof one way or the other.
Jack evidently sensed her hesitation. “You’re okay with keeping this charade up a little longer, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Just try to hurry it up.”
“I will. I want you out of there as soon as possible. In fact, you can probably leave now.”
“I’m not going to leave until this is over. You might need something else from me, and I’m not going to walk away when we’re almost there.”
“Yeah.” He sighed. “I didn’t think so. Just be safe and hang tight, and my guys will get to the records as soon as possible.”
“Okay.” She hesitated before she added, “Have you talked to my mother lately?”
“Yes. She calls every day.”
“Is there—” Kelly broke off, hating how awkward she felt talking about her own mother. “Is there anything new with her?” Even if she’d wanted to, she couldn’t have a conversation with her mother. Talking on the phone would be risky, and Caleb had a bodyguard following her around all the time, because her fictional bloodthirsty Russian ex-boyfriend with gang connections was still a threat, so it was very difficult to sneak away for a covert meeting.
“She’s going downhill healthwise,” Jack said, his tone changing. “But she’s just as determined as ever. I’ve never met anyone as driven as she is.”
“Yeah.” She sighed, feeling heavy and poignant. “My dad’s death consumed her whole world—even more than mine. It’s an obsession for her now. Nothing is going to soften her at this point. Let me know if… if her health gets even worse.” Her mother was supposed to have at least another month, but those kinds of prognoses were never perfectly accurate.
“I will.”
“And call me if you find out anything else.”
“Will do.”
She hung up the phone and stepped into the shower since she needed to be wet if anyone had heard her in the bathroom like this. She soaped up and rinsed quickly, deciding not to wash herhair. She’d washed it yesterday evening before the party, and it took forever to dry.
She turned the shower off, dried off, and put her nightgown back on since she hadn’t brought any clothes into the bathroom with her.
The bedroom was still empty when she opened the door. Caleb was probably working, distancing himself from her to get his bearings back after last night.
It was just as well. Even if he wasn’t guilty, she couldn’t get any closer to him than she already was.
He’d pulled away this morning. It was good. It was better.
It was nothing to be disappointed about.
“Good morning,” came a warm, cultured voice from the bedroom door, which had just opened. “I was trying to get back before you woke up.”
Caleb walked into the room, barefoot, bare-chested, wearing only a pair of black trousers. He wasn’t smiling, but there was something oddly hesitant in his eyes.
Kelly whirled around, startled, gaping at him.
He blinked, his eyes slipping down to her body but not lingering. “I was hungry,” he explained, his voice low and almost sheepish. “I thought maybe you would be too.” He nodded down at the tray he was carrying, which Kelly had barely registered before.
On the tray were a silver coffeepot, two mugs, a small bowl of fruit, and a covered plate of what smelled like waffles.
“Oh,” Kelly mumbled, all her newfound purpose and clarity exploding into bewilderment again.
Caleb’s eyebrows drew together, and four little lines appeared on his forehead. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah. I guess I am kind of hungry. I just took a shower.”
He gave her a little smile. “I see that. But since you’re still in your nightgown, I figure maybe you’re still up for breakfast in bed.”
She made herself smile back at him, feeling ridiculously nervous and self-conscious. “Of course.”
