Page 72 of Courting Gossip (Courting)
The detective followed behind her. He took in the picture of them, but didn’t say anything. ‘I need your phone numbers so I can contact you directly.’
Brody reached for the phone without hesitation. He needed to be kept in the loop. This had just gone way beyond political games. He tapped his number into the detective’s address book and, after momentary consideration, added Jenny’s burner phone. He sent himself a quick text so he’d have the detective’s number, too.
Morgan nodded as he tucked the phone away. ‘You’re going to want to get a contractor over there in the morning. They got in by throwing a landscaping stone through the window of her back door.’
Brody nodded. He’d have it replaced with a steel one by lunchtime. At least she hadn’t been there when it happened, and that made every dime of that Luxxor contract worth it.
‘Any idea when it occurred?’ he asked.
The detective shook his head.
Genieve sighed. ‘The place was fine last time we were there – the same night as the break-in at the Emissary.’
‘Have you been there since then?’ Morgan asked.
‘No.’
She’d been with Brody, and he wasn’t going to let her out of his sight now.
The detective passed him his card. ‘It has my email and number down at the station. If you remember anything let me know – or Nina.’
Brody nodded, and he and the detective shared a look. For the first time, they were on the same page. Without another word, Morgan turned and headed for the door. Brody wondered where he was going, the penthouse downtown or the Palisades. The cop’s relationship status with Nina was important. For the time being, he was on their side, and he was a valuable asset to have.
Once the detective left, Brody realised how quiet the Apple Tree had become. The patrons weren’t watching openly, but they seemed on edge as they focused on their breakfasts. A waitress discreetly put his bill on the counter, and Brody patted Genieve’s side. She still stood close, with her arms wrapped around him.
‘Are you OK?’ he whispered into her ear.
‘Can we go to your place now?’
‘Absolutely.’ He’d take her home. He’d take her wherever she wanted to go. If she wanted to run, he’d go with her.
He tossed a few bucks on the counter and tucked her up against his side as they walked to the door. He was parked right outside, and he helped her into the passenger seat. He shot a worried look at her as he pulled out into the nearly non-existent traffic. She was dispirited, and he didn’t like it. The mood didn’t fit her at all.
‘How bad was it?’ he asked.
‘Not as bad as I was bracing myself for,’ she said as they passed through one green light after the other, ‘but I cried for the cameras.’
‘I saw.’ He didn’t care about the lie they were selling to the public. He wanted to know what had happened over there. ‘Did the detective find any clues as to who did this?’
‘No, but I did.’ She rolled her head onto the headrest. ‘Everything that was stolen was something Samuel had given me. He’s not the target, I am.’
Brody hit the brakes and pulled over fast. He sat at the curb with the engine idling until it growled. ‘Stolen or destroyed?’
She frowned. ‘Gone. What’s the difference?’
‘What did he give you? How big a collection was it? How long would it have taken to clean you out like that?’
‘I gave the detective a list.’
‘I want it, too.’
She slumped in her seat and ran her fingertip over the console between them. ‘Samuel liked to give me presents. There was a painting, a dress, a faux fur, some shoes and more than a few pieces of jewellery.’
‘Is that normal for a client?’
Her green gaze had lost its sparkle when she looked at him. ‘I don’t want to fight with you, Brody.’
He wasn’t trying to start a fight. ‘Just tell me if gifts from any other client were taken.’
