“Gentlemen,” Detective Webb said. He stopped short when he recognized the Asian man at the computer.
Logan knew the minute the detective recognized him. Detective Webb’s bushy eyebrows pulled together, forming a serious unibrow, and his eyes narrowed. Logan stood and extended a hand. “Detective,” he said. Detective Webb had questioned him at his house after Aditya had killed herself. Logan had answered the officer’s questions with as few details as possible. He wasn’t interested in answering any more questions.
“Mr. Murphy,” Detective Webb replied. “I must admit that I’m surprised to see you here. It seems like it may be a conflict of interest.” He could think of no good explanation for the security agent who’d been the victim’s lover to be messing with her computer.
Logan nodded in understanding. “I understand your concern, but I can assure you that my goal is to unravel the mystery behind Aditya Chopra and her actions.” He sat again at the little desk station that held the computer and finished up what he was doing, purposely avoiding Detective Webb’s glare.
Hearing Logan Murphy refer to Aditya Chopra like some random woman on a computer screen and not his lover who’d blown her brains out in his home felt wrong, calculated. Detective Webb still didn’t understand why Aditya had killed herself, and no one was giving him straight answers.
Detective Webb stepped further into the hotel room and noticed the two other security agents in Ms. Chopra’s bedroom and bathroom. As his people started documenting the room, taking photos and itemizing Ms. Chopra’s things, he realized the other agents were military, just like him. He’d seen their type. The men before him were the kind that did the bravest or most dangerous missions in the military. Their hardened eyes and precise movements shouted special operations. What the hell were they doing in a hotel room in Carrisburg going through Aditya Chopra’s things?
Hal cleared his throat to get their attention. “Excuse me,” Hal said, straightening his suit jacket. “My people are here. We need the room.”
Jack turned around and instantly liked the officer in front of him. His short cut hair, broad shoulders and straight, confident stance had clearly been ingrained into the man in the military. He’d place the Detective in his forties, but he lacked the pouch that most men approaching middle age carted around. He’d probably done at least one tour in the Middle East. Jack figured the detective would put enough of the pieces together to quickly figure out that he needed to stop asking questions.
Jack extended his hand. “Jack Black.” Jack motioned to the bathroom, “And my partner, Mike Lewis.” Mike gave a head nod at the mention of his name.
Hal returned it with a curt nod of his own. “Detective Hal Webb. I trust you’ve had enough time in here.” He looked around the room. An open suitcase sat on the bed, but other than that, everything looked like it was in place. Had they taken anything from the drawers?
“We have, thank you,” Jack replied. He’d already replaced the photo album after taking pictures of the photos with his cell. “There wasn’t a lot to learn.”
“That’s too bad,” Hal replied, trying to keep the snark out of his voice. He didn’t appreciate the team interfering in his investigation, especially when the team was so clearly linked to investigation. “We’d like to get to the bottom of this. We need to find out why the victim,” he cleared his throat, “Aditya Chopra, your friend’s girlfriend,” he tossed a thumb towards Logan, “shot herself.”
Mike made his way to the doorway between the bedroom and sitting area of the hotel room and stopped in front of the detective. Detective Webb was taller than Mike, but Mike was broader and more muscled. Mike couldn’t help but snort at the ‘victim and girlfriend’ comment. The phrasing was a blatant attempt to bully them. “Detective Webb, it would be a mistake to think of Aditya Chopra as a victim.”
Mike didn’t wait for the detective’s response. He joined Logan at the door to the hotel hallway.
Detective Webb stared at Mike’s back as he exited the room and disappeared into the hallway, then he glanced at Jack as he crossed the room for the door. “I trust you’ll keep us updated on what you find.”
Jack stopped and turned, offering the Detective a smooth smile. “Of course. We’d appreciate the same courtesy.”
Detective Webb’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Of course,” he mimicked Jack.
Both men knew they wouldn’t be sharing anything. Jack wasn’t interested in being strapped helplessly behind the ‘red tape’ that would inevitably tie up Webb’s investigation.
Webb’s gut told him that there was a lot more to this investigation than met the eye. It was highly unlikely that the suicide of Aditya Chopra was not linked to the attack on Ms. Bella Chan the same night at the Savage Security office. This was the kind of case that could destroy a career. As much as he wanted to know the truth, he also knew that curiosity killed the cat.
30
Late Thursday afternoon
Jack entered his office and smiled when he saw Bella and Alisha talking on his sofa. It seemed right having her there. Her hanging in his office somehow made her feel like she belonged with him. Like it somehow transformed her from a coworker to a woman he cared for, and he wanted everyone to know.
“Hey,” he said as he walked to his desk and set his backpack down. The trip to the hotel had been insightful even though it hadn’t gleaned them a treasure trove of information. But he knew the photo album was golden.
Mike popped in behind him. When his gaze landed on Alisha, a smile eased the rough lines of his face. “Want to go home?” he asked Alisha. He was wiped and planned on crashing when he got home.
“Yes,” Alisha cheered, popping up from the sofa. She was ready for some new scenery. As much as she enjoyed hanging out with Bella, she wanted to chill and relax in her own home on her sofa with Forrest on her lap. The little Yorkshire terrier was always a comfort when she was stressed. She also knew that Mike needed a mental break from all of this. Although he wouldn’t tell her much, she hoped he’d fill her in on the details that she could know.
Alisha slid her hand into Mike’s and looked over her shoulder towards Bella as she neared the door. “Take care,” she said with a smile, her eyes cutting to Jack. She was glad that this situation was bonding them together.
“You too,” Bella replied as Alisha pulled the door closed behind her. Bella’s stomach flipped. She didn’t know what she’d been thinking earlier, kissing Jack like that. Her head and heart were muddled up. Her emotions messed with her head. She was angry, frustrated, ashamed, and it felt like every other negative feeling that could apply to the ‘Eric’ situation. But when Jack had seared her with his hot gaze, the negative feelings that gripped her insides had melted away, and she’d become putty in his hands.
She cleared her throat and returned his heated stare. “Did it go okay?” she asked with a raised eyebrow. She’d never asked how operations went. She’d always maintained a distance from the ‘jobs’. Her sole responsibility was office support and customer relations. Asking Jack about missions was a new thing for her.
Jack leaned against his desk with his legs stretched out in front of him. He wanted to sit beside her on the sofa and pull her lips to his and taste her again, but he’d lost control the last time they’d kissed and hurt her. He’d been overwhelmed by his desire for her. So, to ease the temptation, he stayed where he was. “Yeah, Logan’s going to stay here and work on some new leads.” He crossed his arms over his chest to fight the temptation of pulling her into his embrace.
“Would you like to go with me to my place?” he offered. “You can stay in the guest room. I have food and a large screen television.” He pointed to her laptop. “I can guarantee the picture at my place is better.”
She ripped her eyes off his broad chest and closed the lid on her laptop. “That sounds great,” she said with relief. As comfy as his sofa had been, she craved a shower and a big bed. She knew she wouldn’t return to her apartment until this was over, and that was under
standable, but it sickened her to think that Eric may have bugged or planted cameras in her apartment. The ‘creep’ factor was off the charts.
They walked in comfortable silence to Jack’s truck and made the short drive to Holy Smokes BBQ to pick up the take-out. It was a little early for dinner, but with the threat induced all-nighter, their schedule was all messed up. And perhaps it was the exhaustion that caused Jack to miss the tail that followed them as they drove through town.
The warmth of the food seeped into Bella’s thighs as she cradled the bag on her lap. She was starving. With everything happening so quickly, they’d skipped lunch, and her breakfast had consisted of an oatmeal bar and a few Goldfish that had stocked the emergency snack bag she kept in her bottom drawer.
The aroma of the fried chicken made her mouth water. She couldn’t wait to try the hush puppies. She pressed her hands against the sides of the bag as they made their way to Jack’s house and let the heat warm her chilled fingers.
Jack pulled into his neighborhood, and Bella’s heart raced a little faster. She’d never been to his place before. And as he pulled into the driveway, she was impressed. “Wow, Jack, this was not what I expected.” The neighborhood wasn’t far from work, but it was a more established neighborhood with nice family homes. It felt quaint, like it was a set for the movie Pleasantville. She figured a lot of June Cleavers and Carol Bradys lived in this neighborhood.
“What?” He turned his head and looked at her. “You thought I lived in a box under a bridge?” he teased with a wink.
“No,” she said, shaking her head with a giggle “It’s so unlike you. I can’t wait to see the inside.” The traditional style house was made of brick with an oversized porch leading to the front door. The house itself wasn’t huge, but she could imagine it on a large lot with a few horses grazing behind fences and lots of kids playing in the yard. It reminded her of something in a Norman Rockwell picture. The flowerbeds that lined the house were filled with mature bushes and shrubs. She imagined that the beds would burst with color during the spring and summer.
Jack eased the truck into the garage and cut the engine. He draped a wrist over the steering wheel and faced her. “Home sweet home. I’ll get your bags.”
After getting her bags, he opened the door and disarmed the security system. They stepped into the kitchen from the garage. Bella immediately liked the dark granite that covered the kitchen countertops and island. Setting the food bags on the island, she noticed the entertainment room off the kitchen. “You’re right,” she added with an exaggerated head nod. “Your television is better than my laptop,” she teased and pointed at the television. A huge screen hung on the wall opposite the kitchen and in front of a convertible sofa that seated seven or eight people.
Curious, she walked down the little hallway and the rest of the first floor opened to an office that overlooked the front yard and a large room that could be the dining room and formal living room. The dining room was connected to the kitchen and the living room looked out to the front yard. The large space was empty. Not a piece of furniture filled the area, not even a rug to soften the wood floors.
She looked over her shoulder at Jack. “So,” she dragged out the word. “I’m guessing you don’t host very many family holidays,” she teased with a smile.
Jack crossed his arms and leaned casually in the doorway that led to the kitchen. “You’re very observant.” He hadn’t bought dining room or living room furniture for a reason. He didn’t formally entertain, and he figured if he ever did that it would be with a woman. He didn’t want to buy furniture that she may hate and want to replace. He wasn’t a fan of wasting money.
As tough as he portrayed himself, he had a soft heart that he kept well protected. His childhood family had exploded and left him feeling betrayed by his father who’d cheated and then abandoned them. He’d refused to become his father, and he knew why he’d bought this house. It was a family house. It represented everything he hoped to have one day. And one day, he’d go furniture shopping with the woman of his dreams.
She liked the way his eyes sparkled when he teased. And his stance in the doorway exuded confidence and raw sex appeal. She’d wasted too much time being nervous around him. She should have known that he wouldn’t be the type to carry a grudge if she said something that he didn’t like. He dealt with shit and moved on.
He liked the way her eyes wandered over his body. “Want something to drink?” he tilted his head towards the kitchen. “Isn’t it about time for your pain meds?”
She was warmed by the fact that he cared enough to even know that piece of information. She’d started writing down what she took and when so she wouldn’t get confused. He must have seen the chart on his desk at work. She’d slipped it into her purse before they left for his house. “Yes, it is. But I’m impressed you have room in your head to think about that with everything else going on.”
There was so much going on in his head concerning her that he wouldn’t share with her, at least not yet. He’d made a few moves, and she’d reciprocated when he’d kissed her. He took that as a good sign. Now he just needed to wait her out. She needed time to heal, both emotionally and physically. “We can finish the tour after we eat. I’m starving.” He tossed a thumb over his shoulder towards the kitchen.
Bella followed Jack into the kitchen and opened the take-out bag while he grabbed the plates and silverware. Grease spots marked the white bag that contained the hush puppies. Pulling out the fried chicken, she broke off a piece of the crunchy coating and was in heaven. “Mmmm,” she moaned as she savored the food. “This is incredible.” She broke off another bite of the crunchy coating and popped it in her mouth.
Jack’s cock responded to her moan. He wanted to be the cause of those sounds coming from her. He pulled open the fridge and grabbed a beer. Looking over his shoulder at her, he said, “I have soda, water, and orange juice.”
Bella walked to him and poked her head under his arm to check out the drinks as he rested his hand on top of the fridge. “Hmm, I’ll stick with water.” She cocked her head to the side and pierced him with her gaze. “I noticed you didn’t offer me a beer.”
He barked out a laugh, “Ha, no mixing meds with alcohol. But don’t worry, I’ll get a little tipsy and you can take advantage of me all you want.” He gave her a panty-melting smile.
Bella laughed and patted him on the back, her hand smoothing over his t-shirt. It was easy to imagine him shirtless, the way he was when she’d walked in on him in his office. She pulled her hand away because the image in her mind would do nothing for her resolve. She was nowhere near ready for anything with him.
She cocked her head to the side and said, “You misjudge me. I’d never take advantage of a man.” Giving him a flirty wink, she turned and walked back to the food.
Sitting down at the kitchen table, they dug into the food, devouring it as if they hadn’t eaten in days. Jack had told Bella that this would be some of the best food she’d ever eaten, and he was right. Her stomach swelled with the high-fat food, but she kept eating.
Bella dipped her last hush puppy into the ketchup and studied Jack as he scraped the last bits of chicken from the bone.
Cocking his head to the side, he paused with his hand half-way to his mouth and said, “What?”
“Thanks for doing this.” She signaled to the food and the house. “Taking me in.” Bella shrugged her shoulder. “You’ve been great.” She wanted to thank him for not rubbing her nose in the fact that she’d been duped by a maniac. She’d been a fool to not recognize that Eric was playing her. She felt stupid. And worse yet, she now felt tears puddle in her eyes.
Jack’s brows pulled together as Bella’s visage transformed from happiness to sadness. “Hey,” he set his hand on hers. “What’s wrong?”
Bella poked her knife into the picked-over chicken breast. “I was a fool, and you’ve been kind enough not to point it out.”
“First,” Jack began, “you weren’t a fool. None of us were surpris
ed when you showed up with a man. Any man would be lucky to have your friendship,” he shrugged, “your love,” he added. “Eric took advantage of you. He’s an asshole. That doesn’t make you anything but someone who sees the good in others. That’s a good thing.”
He seldom saw the good in others. He was so busy looking for the con that he’d lost the ability to focus on the good. That was one reason he was so drawn to her. She hadn’t been jaded by the incessant negativity that swarmed like locusts in the world.
“Second, I care about you. I’d never want to hurt you. And I certainly can’t fault you for being a wonderful person.”
Bella leaned back in her chair and tucked her hair behind her ear. “At least I didn’t sleep with him.” She let out a big breath. “How pathetic would that be? Sleeping with the man who tried to kill me?”
Jack’s inner man-boy whooped and hollered at the confirmation that she hadn’t slept with the asshole. He tried not to show his relief. “See, that was a great decision.”
The frustrated look on Bella’s face shifted into a smile. “It was, wasn’t it?” she replied, her voice lost the sad edge and filled with confidence. Of course she didn’t tell Jack that if she hadn’t had a yeast infection that she would have certainly had sex with Eric. He didn’t need to know that. She’d just let him think that she had good judgment.
“Should we clean this up and watch a movie?” Jack motioned to the dirty dishes.
“Sure,” Bella replied, scooting her chair back and standing up. “I’ll handle the dishes. You deal with the left-overs.”
“Deal.”
Coveted Kiss (Savage Security Book 3) Page 17