Page 27 of Forbidden Secrets
“No.As of today, I no longer work for the FBI.I started my own company, a private investigation and security firm.”
“So, what, I’d be your client?”
“Not a client.My neighbor.I’d be helping out a neighbor.No charge.”What the fuck was he doing?There were so many reasons to keep away from her, and yet here he was getting involved.It was more than her intriguing face sucking him in.
She gave him a skeptical look.“That’s not a good business model, giving away your services for free.”
“I’m not saying I’ll do a full investigation.Send me your spreadsheet.I’ll do initial background checks on the people listed there.See what they’ve been up to.”He studied her face.There might have been a few tears, but she was strong.“You and I need to talk more so I have a clearer picture of what happened.If that’s more than you want to get into, I can go with what I know.”
She stared at him with big eyes.“I’m fine.We can talk.I promise not to cry like a baby.”
“Give yourself a break, Mel.”
Her expression turned pensive.“I have a lot of guilt about what happened to Walker and feel like I owe him an apology.I’ve been procrastinating getting together with him and Delaney, but I need to do it.”
“What happened to Walker’s not on you.The sheriff framed him.Grafton’s at fault, not you.”
She shrugged.“I should have tried harder.About Grafton, though?I’ve thought about his involvement.I want to visit him at the prison.He never revealed whose name was originally on the sample, and I want to ask him about it face-to-face.”
“No.No way, Mel.”
The perfectly arched brow over her right eye saidwhat the fuck, pal?as clearly as if she’d spoken the words.
“It may have escaped your notice, but you can’t tell me what to do.To use Keeley’s phrase, you’re not the boss of me.”
“I don’t want to be the boss of you, but you don’t belong anywhere near a state prison.Regardless, Grafton would have to agree to a visit and then the warden would still have to approve it.”
“Then I’ll go through the approval process and hope Grafton agrees.If it’s possible to email him, I’ll do that.If not, I’ll write him a letter.Maybe I can persuade him.He’s the key, Gage.He knows who did it and could have pled to reduced charges if he’d given up the name.He didn’t do that.He’s protecting someone.”
“What makes you think he’ll talk to you?”
“He probably won’t, but the first step is asking.”
“I don’t like you going there, but if I can’t stop that, I don’t want you going alone.”He held up his hand as soon as the words left his mouth.“Don’t even say it.Let me rephrase.I’d like to go with you.”
Dimples flashed when she gave the briefest of smiles and he felt like the sun had come out from behind the clouds.
“Okay.”
“Good.”He didn’t want to analyze why he felt so relieved.
“I’m taking Addy to Cider Mill Farm on Sunday.I’ll try to find Delaney and see if I can set up a time we can get together next week when Addy is at school.”She tilted her head.“You said you wanted to know more about what happened.You could join us if you want.”
He didn’t even have to think about it.“I do.Tell me when and where and I’ll be there.”
She nodded.They were back in front of Easy Money.She turned to face him.“Here’s my car.”
She gripped his open coat and leaned forward so he caught her scent that reminded him of fresh rain.Up on tiptoes she brushed a brief kiss to his lips.“I enjoyed the walk.”
His hands tightened on her hips, and he fought the urge to pull her fully against him and make his own move.Not the time, but that little taste wasn’t going to be enough.
He stood at the driver’s door as she slipped behind the wheel and clicked her seatbelt into place.
“I’ll text my email address.Send me that spreadsheet.”
“Yes, sir, Special Agent Landry.”
“Smart-ass,” he muttered.
