Page 11 of Dark Memories
“Just got the info. As we suspected, both are stolen. I have the names and addresses for you. Talk to the car owners, see if they noticed anyone around or when the plates were taken.”
“I’ll do that this afternoon. Zach said he made a list of possible suspects, and we’re about to go over that.” She cringed at realizing she’d called him Zach. Eve would definitely pick up on that.
“How is he… Zach?”
Bingo. “Um, scared, ready to tear the town apart with his bare hands, I think. I know he promised to blend into the background, but are you sure it’s a good idea for him to shadow me?”
“No. Not at all. But he’ll do it anyway, so it’s better to be in control. Is there anything I should know about the two of you?”
She wanted to lie, but the truth always had a way of coming out. Better to admit it now. “We dated, but that was eight years ago. He means nothing to me now.”
As soon as the words were out, she sensed him. Glancing up, she inwardly groaned at seeing him leaning his shoulder against the door, those brown eyes intently focused on her. He wasn’t smiling and there was no expression on his face, giving her no clue as to what he was thinking. He’d shed his suit coat, his tie was loosened, his shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows, and the top button of his shirt undone. He looked disheveled and too sexy for her own good. She tore her gaze away before appreciation shone in her eyes.
“I’ll check in tomorrow, boss, let you know if we’ve learned anything from the car owners.”
“You do that. And Harry, if any of those old feelings surface, I better be the first one to damn well know.”
“That won’t be a problem. Whatever was between us is old news.” The last sentence was for his ears. She disconnected and, keeping her gaze on her phone screen, said, “Not nice to eavesdrop on private conversations.”
“Close your door next time then, but I think you just lied to your boss.”
That was a truth she wasn’t about to admit. “Both license plates were stolen. I’ll interview the owners this afternoon, see if they noticed anything.”
“You mean we’ll talk to them.”
Well, it had been worth a try. “Of course, that’s what I meant. You want to go over your list of possibilities now?”
Zach wanted Delaney to confess that she had lied to her captain, but he’d probably have to torture her to get that admission from her. Even then she’d probably refuse. Although, he knew her body inside and out, knew how to deliver the most delicious torture, and was sure he could get a confession out of her.
“We’ll talk after lunch. Come. James won’t like it if we let his food get cold.”
“James?”
“My chef.”
“Must be nice,” she muttered.
He put his arm across the doorway when she tried to pass him. “It is, but I have him for Kali. I want her to have decent meals, not hot dogs and PB and J sandwiches. What I don’t like is the mockery I hear in your voice.”
He’d worked hard to make something of himself despite the odds against him. She’d been with him in the beginning and knew that better than anyone. Should he apologize for his net worth, for having a chef so his daughter ate healthy, for having a driver so he could work to and from the office? That wasn’t going to happen. He wasn’t sure why he wanted her approval, to believe that she was proud of him. And even though he was positive she had lied through her teeth when telling her boss he meant nothing to her, it had hurt to hear her say the words.
“You’re right, and I’m sorry. It’s just that…” Her gaze flitted away.
“Just that what, Delaney?” At some point they were going to have to clear the air between them, but he didn’t think she was ready for that yet.
“That it’s hard, you know.”
“Yeah, I do.” He didn’t have to ask what she meant. It was hard for him to be around her, and like his, her mind was probably a swirling mess of thoughts, both past and present. He dropped his arm. “Let’s get some lunch before James quits on me.”
After a simple meal of grilled three-cheese sandwiches on sourdough and a bowl of delicious tomato soup, both of which Delaney had raved over, bringing a smile to James’s face, they had moved to his office.
They’d lunched at the kitchen island, and it had been damned difficult to not walk out when Delaney had raved about the soup and sandwich, which had led to James telling her it was Kali’s favorite meal. That had James sharing some of his favorite Kali stories, and Zach had lost his appetite. How was he supposed to sit there and enjoy Kali favorite meal when he didn’t know where she was or what was happening to her? Was she being fed?
He’d been close to getting up and leaving when Delaney, apparently noticing his agitation, had put her hand on his leg. Her touch anchored him, and he managed to stay and force some food down his throat.
“Both James and Larson love your daughter,” she said after he’d taken a seat behind his desk and Delaney had settled in a chair in front of him.
“She’s impossible not to love.” And she was. She was a beautiful girl with a big heart.
