So exactly who were they hunting? Was he dangerous or a blowhard making idle threats? If dangerous, Trey needed to take additional precautions.
He got up. “I need to run to my room for a minute. Promise you won’t go anywhere.”
“Promise,” she said absently.
He found her keycard on the entry table and once in his room he grabbed his gun and mounted the holster on his belt. He slipped into a button-down shirt to wear over his other one and hide the fact that he was carrying. He felt more prepared as he settled back in the chair in her room. But the fact of the matter was, if her hacker was an officer attending the conference, he’d be carrying, too, and that made him deadly.
“Mommy, where are you?” A child’s high voice filtered through the open door to Eryn’s room.
“That’s Bekah,” Eryn said as she stood.
Interesting. Eryn was so deep in her work she barely heard or saw anything else, but her child called out, and she was instantly aware. God made such a special bond between mothers. He saw it often enough with his sisters and their children, and it always amazed him.
Looking forward to meeting Bekah, he got up. His experience with his nieces and nephews told him kids could be unpredictable, and he had to admit he was a bit nervous.
Eryn sighed. “You don’t need to come with me.”
“Wasn’t planning on it,” he said.
“Oh. Sorry. Be right back.” She slipped through the doorway.
He went to the window and lifted the drapes to look out. He would rather have the drapes open letting light into the room, but he’d closed them as a security precaution.
He heard Eryn and Bekah talking, then the sound of water running. He’d never really thought of Eryn as a mother. Not that he didn’t think she would be an amazing one, but he never got that far in thinking about her. But maybe having a child also explained why she was wary of getting involved with a guy. She wouldn’t want to bring men into her daughter’s life only for them to leave.
Giggling sounded from the doorway, and he turned to see a child the spitting image of Eryn come barreling into the room. She took one look at Trey and came to a dead stop. Eryn charged in behind her as if they’d been playing tag.
“Hi,” he said to Bekah.
She frowned up at him, her lower lip coming out, and she looked like she might cry.
“This is my friend, Trey.” Eryn knelt next to Bekah. “I know he looks big and scary, but he’s not. He’s a real softy, and you don’t have to be afraid of him.”
Bekah’s lip went back in, but her gaze remained wary.
Trey squatted down. “Your mom is right. I’m not scary at all. I have three nieces and four nephews, and we all have a lot of fun.”
She looked at her mother. “What’s a niece and nephew?”
“Trey has brothers or sisters and he’s talking about their children.”
Bekah’s bright eyes narrowed at Eryn. “You don’t have a brother or sister.”
“That’s right.”
“But I do,” Trey said. “Two sisters and two brothers.”
“I want a brother.”
Eryn’s eyes went wide. “You do?”
“Uh-huh. And maybe a sister, too, but she can’t have my toys.”
Trey wanted to laugh at the horrified look on Eryn’s face, but he knew that wouldn’t earn him any brownie points. He reached into his pocket for a quarter and palmed it in one hand then held out the other in a fist. “I have something for you, Bekah.”
“You do?”
He nodded and jiggled his empty hand. “Want to see it?”
She rushed over to him and tugged his fingers open. “It’s empty.”
“Hmm,” he said and narrowed his eyes. “I had a quarter in there. I wonder where it went.”
He clasped his hands together to transfer the coin then reached his hand up to her ear and came back holding the quarter. “Now how did that get in your ear?”
She touched her ear. “My ear? It was in there?”
He nodded seriously.
She took the quarter and showed it to Eryn. “Did you see, Mommy? This was in my ear.”
“I did.” Eryn beamed at her daughter.
Wow, just wow. He thought Eryn was beautiful before, but with love for her daughter shining from her eyes, she captivated him in a whole new way. What would it be like to be on the receiving end of one of those smiles? He didn’t know, but man, he wanted to find out.
The door lock released, and Trey automatically shot to his feet, his hand going to his sidearm. Bekah jumped back and looked like she might cry.
Sandra entered the room carrying packages, her gaze going between Trey and Bekah. He hadn’t noticed when they’d met, but she had the same dark probing gaze as Eryn. That’s where the similarities ended. Sandra’s hair was a lighter brown and cut below her chin, not over the shoulder like Eryn’s. She was trim and fit though, and Trey suspected this was what Eryn might look like when she got older, minus the flowing clothes.
Bekah ran to her grandmother and hugged her leg.
“Sorry I scared you, Bekah,” Trey said in the softest tone he could muster, but the damage had been done. Her smile was gone, and she seemed afraid of him again.
“Why don’t you tell Gammy about your quarter,” Eryn suggested.
“Gammy?” Trey asked.
“Bekah’s version of grandma that stuck.”
“What’s this about a quarter?” Sandra asked.
Bekah shook her head, and her pigtails bobbed. “Trey found one in my ear.”
Sandra grinned, her face lighting up and taking ten years from her face. “He did, did he?”
Bekah gave a serious nod. “Do you think there’s one in your ear, too?”
“Want me to check?” Trey asked.
“Um…” Bekah glanced at him. “Yes.”
Trey walked slowly to Sandra, palming another quarter as he moved.
“Let’s see.” He lifted his hand to Sandra’s ear and let the coin drop to his fingers. “Well would you look at that? She has one, too.”
Bekah clapped her hands. “Now, Mommy. Check Mommy’s ear.”
Trey palmed the quarter and turned to Eryn with an apologetic look for having started this.
She smiled at him. “I’m sure you won’t find one there.”
“He will,” Bekah said, excited enough to burst. “I know he will.”
He lifted his hand to Eryn’s ear and wished her family was anywhere but here, and he could tuck her hair behind her ear and kiss her instead of faking the whole quarter thing. But for Bekah, he made a big show of finding the coin.
“I knew it, Mommy. I knew it.” Bekah jumped up and down and clapped her hands. “Me. Do me again.”
“I think one time’s enough,” Eryn said. “It’s time for your snack.”
“Can Trey have a snack with me?”
Trey’s heart melted at her inclusion.
Eryn opened her mouth.
“I’d love to,” he said before Eryn could refuse. “What are we having?”
“Mommy promised we could go to the resraunt to have chicken nuggets.”
He loved the way she said restaurant. “That sounds wonderful.”
Bekah reached up on tiptoes to grab his hand. “Let’s go. You can have nuggets, too. And if you use your best manners maybe Mommy will let you have a treat.”
Trey had to work hard not to laugh. She tugged on his hand, and he let her pull him to the door. His heart was warm and overflowing from her attention, but he wouldn’t let that distract him from his duty. With this little one to watch over too, he would be even more on guard.
In the casual dining room decorated with seashells, driftwood, and worn oars, Eryn stared across the table at Trey and Bekah. Her daughter had insisted on sitting next to him so they could share nuggets, though to be fair, Eryn ordered several servings. As big as Trey was, she suspected he had a big appetite, and she’d been right.
Bekah gazed up at him with adoring eyes.
Eryn wasn’t sure how she felt about Bekah warming up to him this easily. Not that it was a surprise. She was outgoing and trusting, in part due to her sheltered life living at Blackwell’s super secure compound.
On the bright side, she and Trey were likely to be keeping company for the next few days and if Bekah liked Trey it would be easier, but then when it was time to say goodbye, her heart would be broken. Eryn wanted Bekah to have a male role model in her life, but there were plenty of guys on the team who spoiled her. She didn’t need another one.
Bekah swallowed her bite and looked at Eryn. “Can we go swimming in the big pool?”
“Sorry, honey, I have to work.” Eryn smiled to cover up her ongoing dislike of water from a childhood incident when their family canoe capsized, and she was caught under it for a few terrifying minutes.
“Aw.” Bekah’s expression fell, and she shot a look up at Trey. “Can you take me swimming?”
Trey smiled. “I wish I could, but I have to work with your mother.”
“Gammy?” Bekah asked next, and Eryn felt bad that her mother was last choice when she was such an amazing grandmother and readily available when Eryn needed her.
Her mother smiled. “That’s up to your mother.”
“Mommy can I go?”
Eryn didn’t want Bekah out of the room without someone on the team or Trey escorting her. “It’s best if we wait until after dinner. Then I’ll have time to go with you.”
Bekah’s lower lip came out.
“You know how much I like to do things with my best girl,” Eryn said.
“Yes.”
“And I can come then, too,” Trey added.
Eryn’s mind traveled to seeing Trey at the pool. That thought was the last thing she needed to be having right now. “I’m sure one of the guys on the team will want to go tonight.”
Trey frowned, and so did Bekah.
“For now,” Eryn rushed on before either of them said anything. “We should get back to the room so I can get to work and you and Gammy can watch the Curious George movie.”
“Yay, Curious George.” Bekah clapped and glanced up at Trey. “Do you like George? You can watch with me.”
“I don’t know,” he said and glanced at Eryn.
“That’s great,” she said, knowing if he was with Bekah in the other room he wouldn’t be watching her while she worked.
Bekah hopped down and grabbed his hand.
“Sorry,” Eryn said. “I didn’t get a chance to clean her up, and you likely have ketchup all over you now.”
“No worries.” Trey stood.
He really was an easygoing guy outside of work. At work, though, she’d seen firsthand his fierce protectiveness, and she trusted him to defend her and her family’s lives with his own if it came to that. She needed to stop being such a big baby about having to spend time with him and thank him for his help instead.
They started for the elevator. Trey and Bekah in front, her mother by her side.
“Trey seems like a nice guy,” her mother said, in her fishing-for-more-information tone.
“He is.”
“And he’s single. At least he’s not wearing a ring.”
“Mom,” Eryn hissed. “He’s gonna hear you.”
“And that would be a bad thing why?”
“Because we’re colleagues. Nothing more.”
“Why? Does he have a significant other?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
“Good, because he’s sending you signals left and right.”
Her mother worked as a psychologist before she retired and was very in tune with others. Too in tune at times for Eryn’s own good.
They piled into the elevator and took it to the third floor. Gage strode down the corridor toward them, duffel bag in hand.
“Oh, no,” Eryn said. “I forgot about Gage swapping rooms with us. We should be packed up and ready to go. How could I have forgotten?”
“Hmm,” her mother said. “Stress. A hacker threatening your life. A very handsome man doting on your every word. Take your pick.”
She swatted her hand at her mother.
“Want me to pack while you work?” her mother asked.
“That would be great so I can do more searching for the actor.” She joined Gage. “We’re not ready to change rooms yet. Sorry.”
He shrugged off her apology. “No worries. Neither are the others. I have a class to teach so wanted to drop off my bag and a key to the room.”
Bekah dragged Trey over to Gage and peered up at him. “I have a new friend. His name is Trey.”
Gage smiled. “Trey’s been my friend for years, too.”
“I like him. He can find quarters in your ear. Want him to try?”
Gage appraised Trey, who blushed a bright red. Eryn thought it was so very sweet that she felt a bit of the wall around her heart melting.
“Wish I had time, sweetheart,” Gage said to Bekah. “But I have to drop my bag and go.”
“Maybe you can come swimming with us after dinner, and he can find your quarter, too.”
“Maybe.”
Eryn unlocked the door before her daughter blurted out anything else.
“C’mon, Trey.” Bekah towed Trey into the room like one of her stuffed animals. “Let’s watch George.”
Gage dropped his bag inside the door and cast a questioning look at Eryn.
“Bekah’s taken a real liking to Trey,” she said.
“And what about you?”
“Seriously? I can’t even believe you asked me that.”
“Sorry. I had to. When I call Hannah tonight she’ll want to know how you’re handling this, and you know how I hate disappointing her.”
Eryn snorted and shooed Gage toward the door.
“Okay, I’m going.” He looked back at her. “No other sign of the hacker?”
She shook her head. “Mom will pack us up while I work on tracing him. And I’d appreciate it if we could have a team brainstorming session after dinner.”
“Sounds like we’ll have to do it without Trey. What with the full social schedule Bekah has planned for him.” Chuckling, Gage stepped out the door.
If he looked back he would catch Eryn rolling her eyes, but he didn’t, so she closed the door and headed for the desk. She opened her laptop and settled in to work, but Trey entered the room taking her attention.
“How in the world did you escape the clutches of my daughter?” Eryn smiled up at him.
“I promised to come right back.” He grinned and plopped onto the corner of one of the beds. “She’s really something, isn’t she? Reminds me a lot of you.”
“So I’m crazy adorable, then?” she joked.
He nodded with a mock serious expression. “And maybe a little pushy and someone who likes to have her way at all costs.”
She knew he was joking, but there was truth in his words. “I’m sorry about being such a grump when you’re only trying to help us. I appreciate it. I do. It’s just…” She shrugged as she didn’t want to talk about their mutual attraction again.
“It’s okay. I get it.”
She watched him for a moment, liking very much what she was seeing. “You really are a nice guy, Trey Sawyer.”
“Was that ever in doubt? ’Cause if it was, don’t tell my mom or she’ll have my hide. She raised me to be a gentleman.”
Okay, mentioning his mom was even sweeter than his finding the quarters trick.
All she wanted to do was keep looking into eyes more blue than gray right now, but she dragged her focus away and gestured at her computer. “I should get to work.”
“And I’ll let you, but…” His voice fell off so she glanced back at him. “I’ve done as much digging on Young as I can. He seems squeaky clean by the way. But I was wondering if there was anything you wanted me to do while I watch George with Bekah.” He did air quotes around the word watch.
“You can’t help with the technical details I’m working on, but it would be great if you searched the Inter
net for any big ransomware incidents this week.”
He arched a brow. “Do you think this is bigger than you?”
“I’m not sure.” She started to turn back then said, “Oh, and I asked Gage to gather the team for an after-dinner meeting tonight.”
“What about swimming?” Trey grinned again.
She noticed for the first time that his smile was a bit lopsided, and his nose ever-so-slightly crooked. When he worked patrol, he was clean-shaven, but now he’d grown a close-cut beard, and she wanted to stroke the whiskers to see if they were soft or prickly.
“I don’t want to let the little pipsqueak down,” he added, bringing Eryn back to the conversation.
“We’ll make it quick at the pool.” She forced herself to quit staring at him so her heartbeat would return to normal. “You’re really good with Bekah.”
“Guess it’s all those nieces and nephews.”
“Do you want kids of your own?” she asked, and immediately regretted the personal question when she was the one who asked him to be professional.
“Absolutely. Four or five.”
“Wow. That’s specific.”
“I come from a big family and liked growing up with brothers and a sister. Well, maybe not the sisters so much back then, but now I love them to death.”
“I was an only child. I liked that, too, but there were times I wanted a sibling.”
“The more the merrier, I say.”
She didn’t necessarily agree. If she ever had that many children, she would want to quit her job. As it was, there were days when she much preferred to be at home with Bekah than to be working. Not that she didn’t love her job. She did, but being a stay-at-home mom was always the plan before a car crash took Rich’s life.
She came out of her thoughts to find Trey watching her as usual. Why was she letting him get to her like this?
“My work.” She quickly swiveled her chair before she spent more time talking about things they had no need to discuss.
“I’ll be in the other room if you need me.”
“Thanks,” she said but didn’t look up before she was sucked back into his pleasant smile and easy personality.
He was so different than other men she’d worked with in law enforcement. They were often intense and driven. Her teammates proved that, but Trey didn’t seem to fit the mold. And he was different from Rich, too. He’d worked in finance, and despite being introverted, he was driven to succeed in his job and had worked his way up to his company’s chief financial officer position. They’d led a busy life that didn’t end when she became a single mom. But going to work with Blackwell simplified so many things for her.
Cold Case Page 4