Page 51 of Dark Terror
Harry nodded. “She did, but at the moment those records are evidence. We’ll notify you when we can make them available to you.”
“Can you at least tell me if there’s any money to speak of?”
“Not at this time,” Gabe said, feeling contrary. There was no reason not to give her that information, but his dislike of her had grown with every word out of her mouth. In the end she would likely get the money even though it was ill-gotten since Sheri was dead and not charged with a crime. But he wasn’t going to make her day by telling her how much was there. Since Harry stayed quiet, she obviously felt the same.
“There is something of hers you can take with you today,” he said. From the few minutes he’d spent with her, he’d bet his next paycheck that she wouldn’t want the dog.
Her dull brown eyes lit up. “Yeah, what’s that?”
Something he was counting on her not to like. “Come with me.”
As soon as they walked into the conference room, Cara stood, her gaze darting from him to the woman standing next to him. From the way she clutched Cricket, if Vivian wanted him, they were going to have to pry him out of Cara’s arms.
“Who’s this? If she’s a friend of Sheri’s, I have nothing to say to her.”
“I never met your sister,” Cara said. “I’m sorry for your loss.” Cara glanced down at Cricket, then held him up. “This is Cricket.”
“Good God, what is that?” Vivian exclaimed.
Cara’s eyes narrowed as she ran a soothing hand over Cricket’s head. “He was Sheri’s dog. I guess he’s yours now.”
Vivian shook her head as she backed up. “Oh no. You’re not going to pawn that mangy thing off on me.” She walked out of the room.
“Well, looks like you have a dog,” Gabe said, loving the big grin on her face. “Be back in a minute.”
* * *
To celebrate Cara’s ownership of Ugly Dog, Gabe was making filets mignons at Harry’s place with a wild mushroom red wine sauce. He’d decided on a spinach salad and asparagus for the sides, and fresh berries in cream for dessert. After shopping, he’d stopped by his house to load up the necessary supplies since his partner had the bare minimum. He wasn’t sure she even knew what a spatula or tongs were, and he was positive she didn’t have a cast-iron skillet.
He would much rather be cooking in his kitchen, but pretenses still had to be kept up, so no Cara in his home. Soon, he hoped.
“I’m hiding from Harry. She’s reading a book about serial killers, and she keeps telling me yucky stuff from it,” Cara said, coming into the kitchen.
He laughed. “Her favorite reading material.”
“Can I help?”
“Sure. You can wash the asparagus and then trim off the end tips. After that, you can set the table with the things in the canvas tote.” His gaze roamed over her. She’d changed into shorts and a pink T-shirt when they’d returned, and was barefoot. Soon those gorgeous legs would be wrapped around him. He hoped.
She peeked into the bag. “You brought your own plates?”
“Have you seen Harry’s dishes?”
“No, I could only find paper plates.”
“Exactly.”
He walked up behind her and peered into the tote. “We do not eat my meals on paper. There are utensils and cloth napkins in there, too.” Standing this close to her, he caught her scent, one to which he was becoming addicted.
She tilted her head back and looked at him. “There are candles in there, too. I’m onto you now, Gabe Calder.”
“Yeah?”
“Um-hum. You’re a true romantic at heart.”
“Maybe you bring that out in me.” He might have gone a bit overboard, but she deserved a special night after all she’d gone through. Too bad he couldn’t send Harry off somewhere. And because her mouth was inches away from his, he couldn’t resist stealing a kiss.
The way she softened against him and that little sigh she gave were his undoing. He deepened the kiss, needing to taste her, to claim her.Bed, his brain and some other parts of him said.
