by Jane Godman
“Dee, that ‘poor boy’ sent an email via the dark web to the members of the Colton Oil board telling us that Ace is not a Colton by birth.” Ainsley leaned forward in her seat as she spoke. “He used the AAG server to do it.”
“It’s so sad that an AAG member would get mixed up in something so awful. And that he would direct his feelings at Colton Oil.” Dee shook her head. “I still find it hard to believe.”
“Do you know how he got hold of the names of the board members?” Rafe asked.
It was a good question and Spencer observed Dee’s reaction closely. Her hands dropped to her knees and she bent her head.
“I’ve thought about it a lot.” Her voice was little more than a whisper. “I may have inadvertently given the names to Harley in casual conversation.”
Rafe shot a fiery look in Ainsley’s direction, but she signaled for him to stay calm.
“Did you give that information to anyone else in the AAG?” Ainsley asked. “Is it something you could have shared with Micheline Anderson, for example?”
“Oh, no.” Dee looked up again, shaking her head. “And, even if I had, Micheline is the most trustworthy person I know. Why, she’s like a mother to me. She’s my mentor, my friend. She makes me feel so positive about the future—”
“Do you think Micheline knew in advance that Harley was planning to send the email to the members of the Colton Oil board?” Rafe asked.
“Absolutely not.” If Dee was faking the horrified look she gave Rafe, she was the best actress Spencer had ever seen. “Micheline would never get involved in anything like that. Harley is gullible and I think someone preyed on him, hiring him to send that email without warning him of the consequences.”
Spencer stepped in with a question of his own. “Do you have any idea who could have done it?”
“I wish I did, but I truly don’t.”
“What do you know about Kenyon Latimer?” Spencer asked.
“Kenyon?” Dee frowned. “He’s new to the group. We don’t turn anyone away, but...” She gave a little shrug. “He’s a very troubled young man.” She turned back to Ainsley. “Will I lose my job over this? Because I gave Harley the names?”
“It’s a breach of confidence and something the board will need to discuss,” Ainsley said. When Dee gave a sob and covered her mouth with one shaking hand, Ainsley continued in a gentler tone, “It’s in your favor that you’ve been honest.”
“Please. You have to believe me when I say this job means everything to me.”
“We won’t keep you waiting long for a response,” Ainsley assured her. “The other board members will already be arriving for another meeting. We’ll discuss this with them and let you know the outcome as soon as possible.”
She got to her feet and led Dee from the room.
“What do you make of her story?” Rafe asked Spencer.
“If she’s lying, she’s good,” Spencer said. “But this whole situation is tough to call. Nothing is how it seems.”
“I know.” Rafe leaned back in his chair with a weary air. “As soon as we think we’re getting somewhere with one angle, it leads us nowhere and a new problem arises.”
As he was talking, Ainsley returned, and the remaining members of the board followed in her wake. The group had been reduced in size since Payne was in the hospital and Ace, the chief suspect in his father’s shooting, was lying low. The other two members were Marlowe and Selina Barnes Colton, VP and public-relations director. They were accompanied by Genevieve, who, in Payne’s absence, had his proxy.
“We never have outsiders present when we discuss company business.” Selina was Payne’s second ex-wife.
“True. But we’ve never had Dad lying in a hospital bed unlikely to recover from gunshot wounds before,” Marlowe said, firing back. “We need to hear from Spencer about how the investigation is going, and we can tell him if any new information has come our way.”
Selina pouted. “I’d have thought updating the police about new information was the duty of every good citizen.”
Ignoring her, Ainsley got straight to the point about Dee and outlined the details of their earlier meeting with Payne’s assistant. “I think there’s little doubt that she breached company rules by sharing confidential information even though she’s stressed it wasn’t deliberate. The question is whether we feel the offense was serious enough for us to fire her.”
Selina drummed long, red fingernails on the table. “Setting aside the breach of trust, she should be fired on the spot for being a member of that creepy do-gooder group. Let’s not forget it was an email from one of them that caused chaos in our company. Plus, they hit me up for a donation twice today as I was on my way here. In two different locations. You can’t walk down the street without encountering those people lately.”
“But with Dad in the hospital, Dee is only part time, anyway, and it may be better to have someone on the inside with the AAG, someone whose brain we can pick if need be,” Marlowe said. She glanced around the table at her siblings. “On those grounds, I’m saying we keep Dee in her job.”
Ainsley and Rafe nodded their agreement.
“I have Payne’s proxy.” Genevieve spoke quietly but firmly. “And I spoke to Ace a few days ago. Although he’s no longer CEO, he is still a board member. He arranged for me to have his proxy as well. Since I agree with Marlowe, there’s no more to be said on this subject.”
Her words prompted Selina to shoot up from her seat like a scalded cat. “So the Colton team have made up their minds to stick together and veto anything I suggest. If that’s the case, I really can’t see any point in wasting my time here any longer.”
With a flip of her long hair, she flounced from the room.
Marlowe sighed. “Storming out within five minutes. That’s a record, even for Selina. Dad’s influence usually keeps her under control for at least half an hour.”
“We’re all too busy to spend time on dramatics,” Ainsley said. “Does anyone have anything that might be of interest to Spencer before we move on to business matters?”
“I do.” Rafe’s words drew everyone’s attention. “One of my contacts has tracked down a man who was born forty years ago on Christmas Eve at Mustang General.”
“We’re sure that the baby switch was carried out by a maternity ward nurse named Luella Smith. Only three baby boys were born that night at Mustang Valley. One of them was Ace, and her son was another. Luella went into labor late Christmas Eve, but she left with her sickly baby on Christmas morning. This happened after the fire that destroyed the maternity records,” Spencer said. “What’s the name of this guy you’ve tracked down?”
“Sebastian Clark.” Rafe held up his hands. “I know what you’re going to say. It’s not Smith, but who knows what Luella did with the baby she stole? Maybe she put him up for adoption?”
“We have to investigate every lead. We’ve already had one impostor, Jace Smith, try to pass himself off as the ‘real’ Ace Colton. We need to avoid a repeat of that.” Spencer wasn’t particularly hopeful about this line of inquiry, but he couldn’t afford to let it pass. “Arrange to meet Sebastian Clark and see if he’s willing to have a DNA test.”
“Okay. I’ll set up the meeting.” Rafe typed a note on his electronic tablet.
“Does anyone have any other information for Spencer?” Marlowe asked.
When there was no response, Spencer and Katrina said their goodbyes and left the room. Once they were outside the building, Katrina drew in a deep breath. “I don’t know how they deal with that pressure every day.”
“It can get pretty full-on,” Spencer agreed.
“It’s made me glad I’m not a Colton.” She paused, a hint of color staining her cheeks as she realized what she’d said. “I don’t mean you...”
“It’s okay. I know what you mean.” He grinned. “There are days when I wish I could change my na
me.”
Chapter 14
“When did you learn to cook?” Katrina asked as she watched Spencer prepare a dish of noodles and prawns.
“I taught myself when I left the army.” He stir-fried vegetables and added a dash of chili sauce. “My aunt Amelia couldn’t cook, and we existed on a diet of grilled cheese and store-bought apple pie. When I grew up, I wanted a more varied menu.”
“How long were you in the army?”
“I joined when I was twenty and enlisted for a four-year term. I was stationed in South Korea for much of that time, and while I was there I decided I wanted to be a cop.” He looked up from what he was doing. “I guess I could have joined the military police, but I was also a little homesick. I like living in Arizona, and I missed my brother and sister. It was while I was in South Korea that I developed my love of cooking Asian food.”
“I’m glad you did. It smells amazing.”
“It will taste even better.”
They shared a smile that caused her stomach to flutter. For once, she let it happen. The dogs had been exercised and fed. They were chilling in the yard. Beer was cooling in the fridge and Katrina had downloaded a movie they both wanted to watch. The night was theirs.
Okay, so they still didn’t know who was behind the threats on her life, or who had shot Payne Colton, or where Eliza was... But, right now, she was going to try to put her fears to one side and come as close to relaxation as she could.
They ate in front of the TV, drinking beer and watching the movie in silence at first. When it turned out to be a disappointment, they began to pick apart faults in the script, laughing over the stilted dialogue.
“That was fun, even though it wasn’t meant to be.” Spencer inched closer.
It was a now-or-never moment. Katrina knew if she backed away now, he wouldn’t approach her again. They’d rebuilt a little of their fragile faith in each other, but was it enough to take the next step? She figured there was only one way to find out.
Slow and steady...
As he leaned in and touched his lips to hers, slow and steady became a distant memory. Kisses with him were better than anything she’d ever experienced. Spencer knew how to seduce her with just his mouth.
Katrina didn’t kiss him back immediately. She was too busy trying to think straight. But, no... That wasn’t happening.
Wrapping her arms around him, she eased back as Spencer ran his tongue over her lips, teasing the sensitive flesh before kissing her once more. This time, she raised her right hand and clasped the back of his head, holding his mouth tighter to hers. She responded to his kiss and their tongues twined together. Her mind left the building.
She managed to grab hold of the last remnants of reason. “Spencer, I don’t know...”
“How about we just stay here and make out?” He shifted position so they were lying side by side on the cramped sofa. “No pressure. This doesn’t have to be anything more.”
“That could be fun.” She ran her fingers through his hair. “I’ve never done that.”
“You never just made out?” He looked shocked. “You don’t know what you’ve missed.”
She wound an arm around the back of his neck as he ran one hand up and down her body. He was so incredibly sexy, it dazzled her to look at him. Instead, she closed her eyes, giving herself up to sensation. His tongue was so hot against hers, his lips alternately hot and insistent, then soft and caressing.
His body felt hard against hers as he slipped a hand down to her hips, stroking them before moving to her ass, his tongue still deep inside her mouth. Pressed up against hers, his muscular thighs felt tight against her own. His arms were strong and warm against her bare skin. It was an incredible turn-on to know that this didn’t have to lead anywhere.
Unless we want it to...
Because she already knew that she wanted to feel him closer than this. She needed him deep inside her. Slowly, she began to grind her pelvis against his. He was already hard, and he groaned softly, encouraging her to keep moving. He slipped his hand up her shirt, squeezing her breasts through her bra until she whimpered into his mouth. He was working his hand into the cup when she opened her eyes...
And saw the outline of someone looking in at them through the window. Because of the way the light fell, the details were unclear and she couldn’t see the face, but it was possible the person wore a hood.
“Spencer!” As she jerked upright, the shape vanished.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Spencer was looking down at her in bewilderment.
“There was someone watching us through the window.” She lifted a shaking hand and pointed. “We didn’t close the drapes.”
He frowned. “But the dogs are loose in the yard. They didn’t bark.”
“Oh, no.” She was on her feet, running through the kitchen toward the back door. “The antifreeze warning.”
Ever since the most recent break-in, Katrina had started leaving a flashlight near the back door. Spencer snatched it up and they headed outside together. Her worst nightmare came crashing down around her when she saw the three dogs lying motionless on their sides. Giving a little moan, she clutched Spencer’s arm.
He ran over and checked each dog in turn. “They’re breathing normally. My guess is they’ve been drugged rather than poisoned. I’ll call the police veterinarian.”
Katrina’s knees began to act like Jell-O, but she managed to stay upright while Spencer made a call. On the grass close to the dogs, there was a piece of half-chewed meat. When Spencer had finished talking, she pointed it out to him.
“That’s not the sort of thing I give my dogs.”
“It doesn’t belong to Boris, either.” He put an arm around her shoulders. “The veterinarian is on his way.”
She couldn’t control the trembling in her limbs. “My dogs...”
“I know.” His expression was grim. “The person who did this is going to pay.”
* * *
By the time the veterinarian arrived, Boris was already showing signs of recovery. His tail was twitching, and he was whimpering as if he was having a bad dream.
“That’s because he’s a larger dog,” the doctor explained as he examined him. “All three of them probably consumed similar amounts of the drug, but it has had less of an effect on him, so he’s able to shake it off faster.”
“And what is the drug?” Spencer asked.
“It’s impossible to say for sure without a detailed analysis, but I’m thinking the meat they were given has been laced with some sort of sedative. Concerned owners are increasingly turning to such drugs to calm nervous pets during storms or fireworks displays. They are relatively easy to obtain and don’t do any long-term damage.”
“So they’ll be okay?” Katrina needed to double-check.
“They may feel a little disoriented when they come around, but that won’t last for long. Don’t expect to see much activity from them until morning. When they wake up, give them plenty of water and let them do things in their own time. Call me if you have any concerns.” He left, taking the meat with him for analysis.
“Let’s get these poor puppies to bed,” Spencer said.
Carefully, he carried Holly, then Dobby, into the kennel. By the time it came to Boris, the big dog got to his feet and staggered into the shelter himself, collapsing onto his dog bed with a groan like a drunk after a night on the town.
Spencer turned to Katrina. “You are not staying out here with them tonight.”
She managed a shaky laugh. “I didn’t know you were a mind reader.”
“You heard what the veterinarian said. They’ll be fine.”
“But there was a guy who deliberately did that to them—”
Firmly, he led her out of the kennel and locked the door.
“And now they’re safe here.” Once they were inside the house, Spencer held out his hand. “W
hy don’t we go to bed?”
His meaning was clear and, this time, Katrina didn’t hesitate. Their growing closeness made it feel like this was the right time. She wasn’t going to agonize over “what next” or where it was leading. She’d just take this. One perfect moment. An antidote to all the fear and anxiety. And if that was all there was? Well, how cool would that be?
She placed a hand in his. “Yes, please.”
With that, he lifted her off her feet, holding her against his chest with her feet five inches from the floor. Kissing her so hard she felt like her whole body was on fire, he walked with her through to the bedroom.
After kicking open the bedroom door, he drew her with him to the bed and flicked on the lamp. Sitting on the mattress, he pulled her close to him. From her vantage point, standing between his muscular thighs, Katrina was able to rest her chin on the top of his head. She breathed in his delicious scent and lightly stroked the short hair at the nape of his neck. The texture felt softer than she’d expected, like rough velvet beneath her fingertips.
His breathing was warm against the top button of the white blouse she still wore and he wrapped his arms around her waist. They remained still for long minutes, each savoring the closeness, his hands gliding down her spine, just skimming the top of her ass.
“You’re beautiful.” When he looked up, the blue of his eyes appeared darker than ever.
“And you’re overdressed.” Moving her hands down his sides, she tugged at his T-shirt, easing it up. He helped her by raising his arms, and she pulled it over his head and dropped it to the floor.
As he lowered his hands, he ran his fingertips over her lips and kissed them before drawing one finger into her mouth. With an indrawn breath, he pushed a second finger between her lips while cupping her cheek with his other hand. She ran her tongue over the pads of his fingers before nipping lightly, then taking them deeper into her mouth.
The way he was sitting there, looking up at her as she sucked on his fingers, was incredibly sexy. She could tell he was as aroused as she was, yet he was letting her set the pace. Katrina could feel the heat between them shimmering in the air, penetrating her bloodstream. Her every nerve ending was alight with need.