Courting Suspicion

by Kimberly Dean

  The office manager’s expression turned rueful. ‘Your detective has been the only cop.’

  Her detective.

  She’d told him it couldn’t work between them.

  ‘Let’s keep it that way.’ Nina hooked her hair behind her ear. Her hand was steadier. She needed to keep busy. She needed to stay one step ahead. ‘Other than Morgan’s curiosity, Genieve’s place of work should be just a footnote to this whole story.’

  ‘Unless the reporters’ claims about her being a callgirl get out,’ Sienna warned.

  Nina’s back teeth ground. To call those two reporters was being generous. She’d looked into them. They were GWU dropouts trying to make a go of it as an Internet company. ‘She’s not a callgirl. She’s an escort. There’s a difference.’

  Rielle lifted an eyebrow. ‘In this case, there isn’t.’

  ‘Not any more.’ Despite what the detective had implied, it wasn’t illegal for people to pay others to spend time with them. It was only when sex entered the picture that things got murky. Things between Senator Gunderson and Genieve had definitely been murky, but that exclusive contract she’d had under lock and key was now a pile of ashes fertilising the fern in the lobby.

  It had taken all of her willpower not to destroy the rest of the company’s exclusive contracts along with it, but those contracts were the lifeblood of Luxxor. They provided money, power, and – most importantly – leverage. She’d built her business on them. She couldn’t throw it all away now.

  She looked at Rielle. ‘Have you contacted all our exclusive clients?’

  ‘There are only a few I haven’t been able to reach yet. I’ve reminded them all of the requirement to keep the agreements in a safe location.’

  ‘Any pushback?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘And Gunderson’s copy?’

  ‘Brody’s already gotten rid of it.’ Rielle swept her long hair over her shoulder. ‘It seemed like he and Genieve were fighting about that, though.’

  ‘Why?’ Nina’s antenna rose. They needed that contract to be gone, and they couldn’t jeopardise that relationship. Without Haynes, they would be in a much worse situation than they already were.

  ‘He wants to know where other exclusive contracts might be so he can take care of them, too. Genieve won’t tell him.’

  The escort only knew of a handful, but Brody wouldn’t know that.

  ‘Hm. Good girl,’ Nina murmured. She’d never seen the cheery redhead fight with anyone. She usually cajoled and charmed her way out of situations. If this had to happen, Genieve was probably the best escort she had to handle the situation. If the woman could keep Haynes in check, too, that would be ideal.

  Nina returned to her chair and stroked her finger along the coffee mug’s handle. ‘All right. I’m comfortable that we’ve done everything we can do for the company’s current needs. What we need to focus on is that tip that was phoned in to the pretend reporters.’

  She didn’t even dare think of what might have happened if the whistleblower had called one of the big stations or newspapers. Why hadn’t they done that? Had they thought they wouldn’t be treated seriously? Did they think it wouldn’t have created as big of a bang as video of the couple in flagrante delicto?

  Her brow furrowed. Or was it because they hadn’t wanted to be traced or double-checked? Real reporters sought out multiple sources – or they used to when journalism was respectable.

  ‘We need to make a list of anybody who might have made that call.’ Morgan had been right about that.

  Rielle picked up her pen. She had her trusty memo pad at the ready. ‘Like who?’

  ‘Disgruntled clients, for one.’

  Sienna stopped in the middle of splitting orange slices. ‘We have those?’

  ‘Well … Widow Hawkins wasn’t happy when Dane left for his new job,’ Nina said.

  Sienna frowned. ‘I thought she liked Casey.’

  Rielle twiddled her pen. ‘He’s nice, but he’s no Dane.’

  Nina sighed right along with the other girls. No, Dane was in a class all his own. She’d hated losing him, but she’d do anything she could to help him in his new career – although why anyone with morals and decency would want to go into politics was beyond her.

  ‘That’s a good point, though,’ she said. ‘Contact Dane. Have him put an ear to the ground to see if anyone has a grudge against Senator Gunderson.’

  ‘The silver fox?’ Sienna lifted an eyebrow. ‘Say it isn’t so.’

  Rielle was still tapping her pen. ‘Not all our clients know about our exclusive contracts. That narrows down the list, doesn’t it?’

  ‘As long as everyone has toed the line and not spoken to others.’ Nina glanced at the television where a talking head was still silenced. That was her Achilles heel, the people aspect of confidentiality. Some people just couldn’t keep their mouths shut.

  ‘We’ve had a few clients who’ve requested special services that we’ve turned down,’ she said, thinking aloud. They’d been shots in the dark, really, by patrons who’d become infatuated with the escorts who’d spent time with them. She’d evaluated the requests and the individuals involved. When an escort didn’t express similar interest, she typically let the request go with a mild rebuke to the client. There had been a handful that she’d rejected outright without even asking.

  She ran a tight ship. There was more to be concerned about than money. She only put together exclusive contracts when all parties were onboard and she’d concluded the partnership would be safe and mutually satisfying.

  ‘Has anyone requested Genieve’s time and been turned down?’ Sienna asked.

  Rielle nodded. The woman had a memory like a computer chip. ‘She’s in high demand – even as just an escort.’

  And why not? Genieve was beautiful, smart and good-natured.

  Nina’s grip tightened on her mug when she thought about Josh catching the sultry redhead in the act. Had he watched the video?

  How had he reacted? Had he been aroused?

  ‘Put them on the list,’ she said tightly. ‘We’ll pare it down later.’

  Really, anyone with knowledge of Luxxor’s extracurricular activities should be on that list.

  Nina lifted her head slowly. That would include the two women sitting across from her.

  ‘Wait. What about both of you?’ she asked. Her office staff weren’t required to act as escorts. She’d never demand that of anyone, yet both of the women closest to her had met their significant others through Luxxor’s special pairings. ‘Have you put your own contracts under lock and key?’

  ‘I destroyed mine with Jason a while ago,’ Sienna said. A blush settled onto her fair skin. ‘We made a special night of it.’

  Nina could only imagine. That contract had been a major factor in the couple’s romance – both good and bad. Jason Sloan would be just as happy to destroy her as he would that piece of paper. She paused momentarily, but let the thought go. Sloan would never do that with Sienna working here. Besides, an anonymous phone call wasn’t his style.

  Sienna looked just as worried, but for a different reason. ‘Luxxor’s copy was destroyed, too, right?’

  Nina nodded. ‘There’s no evidence of it left.’

  Evidence. An image of Morgan popped back into her head. Sitting next to her, his shoulders a mile wide … leaning in until she could feel his heat … his hair mussed and his gaze too knowing …

  She turned away. ‘Rielle?’

  ‘Mine’s gone, too.’

  Sienna dropped an orange peel. ‘Erin framed hers and hung it on a wall in her house.’

  Nina’s head whipped around. ‘She did what?’

  ‘She thought it was a sign of her and Colton’s love.’ Sienna waved her hand. ‘Don’t worry. Colton talked her into getting rid of it.’

  ‘How?’ Nina demanded. Her nerves were too frayed to deal with something like this. Erin was sweet, but she’d thought Sienna’s best friend was smarter than that.

  Unless she’d been usi
ng it as leverage …

  ‘Did he get her a ring?’

  Sienna smiled. ‘A puppy. Joint ownership.’

  ‘Aww,’ Rielle said.

  ‘I think it will be a while before she goes down the marriage trail again.’

  Nina didn’t care what road they went down, as long as the paperwork that had initiated the woman’s relationship with the lawyer was handled. Nina could only imagine Colton King, the big DC lawyer, wanting that document gone as much as she did.

  Rielle perked up. ‘Maybe that’s the answer.’

  ‘What’s the answer?’ Sienna asked.

  ‘Nina should sign Detective Morgan to an exclusive contract with her. Then he couldn’t talk.’

  Nina’s jaw dropped, and an unladylike gasp escaped her.

  Sienna winced.

  ‘It was a joke.’ Rielle sat back in her chair. Her confidence really had risen since she’d been dating Darien. ‘But it’s not a bad idea. Think about it. He’s interested.’

  Nina felt her employees both staring at her, but the words just wouldn’t come.

  Her and the detective? In an exclusive contract?

  Her belly squeezed, and she pointed the toe of her stiletto hard. She was a madam. She took good care of her escorts, but she’d never gotten into the game herself. She’d never wanted to.

  But hadn’t she been dreaming about that very thing?

  ‘Oh, no.’ Sienna suddenly reached for the remote and restored the sound. ‘Here it is.’

  Nina looked at the television in confusion. It took her a moment to catch up, but, when she did, her pulse rate took off even faster. The news media – the real ones – had caught scent of the story. The morning news anchor was seated behind her desk, but a picture of the senator and Genieve was posted on the right side of the screen.

  ‘Where is that?’ she asked as she looked at the background.

  ‘That’s the dress Genieve wore to the Italian ambassador’s birthday party,’ Rielle said.

  ‘Turn it up,’ Nina said.

  The still picture on the screen turned into a live shot of a reporter, and her heart sank.

  ‘This is Randall Cummings. I’m standing here outside the Emissary Hotel where, just after midnight last night, Metro Police arrested two reporters from TMI News for allegedly breaking into a room reserved by none other than Senator Samuel Gunderson. Witnesses were awakened by a loud exchange between the senator and the two reporters. Hotel security contacted the police, and the perpetrators were apprehended on the scene. The two, Lance Durquist and Jimmy Schmidt, are scheduled for arraignment today. I caught up with the senator earlier this morning, and here’s what he had to say about the incident.’

  The report cut to film of the senator arriving on Capitol Hill. The distinguished-looking politician was climbing the mass of white steps, carrying a briefcase. Behind him were the picturesque Capitol Reflecting Pool and the Ulysses S. Grant memorial. The senator looked confident as he approached the reporter, but his staff looked nervous. One assistant kept toying with his bowtie, and the woman in the prim suit was staring too hard. As the senator stopped to talk, it became apparent he’d had a rough night. His hand was wrapped in a white dressing and a flesh-coloured bandage graced his forehead above his left eye.

  ‘Good move, Brody,’ Nina whispered.

  ‘Senator, can you tell us what happened last night?’ the reporter asked.

  Gunderson nodded gravely. ‘Two men I’d never seen before broke into my hotel room. Frankly, it was terrifying.’

  The reporter gestured to the senator’s bandages. ‘You were obviously hurt. Was there an altercation?’

  ‘Yes.’ The senator pulled back his sleeve to show the bandage going all the way up his forearm. ‘I didn’t know what was happening. I thought it might be a terrorist attack or an assassination attempt. I did what any able-bodied American man would do. I fought to protect myself and my girlfriend.’

  It was a bit over the top, but Nina held very still. Girlfriend. Keep going. Keep going.

  The reporter looked at his notes. ‘That would be Ms Genieve Hart?’

  ‘Yes, I never thought we’d be in danger staying in a hotel in our nation’s own capital.’

  The senator looked directly into the camera. ‘I want to thank the police for arriving so quickly on the scene and arresting the individuals who did this.’

  ‘That would be the reporters from TMI News?’

  ‘If that’s what you want to call them. I’ve never seen reporters behave in such a manner.’

  ‘Did they give any reason for the invasion, sir?’

  The senator lifted his chin defensively, and a breeze ruffled his silver hair. ‘There isn’t one good enough, is there, Randall?’

  He tapped the reporter appreciatively on the shoulder. ‘I appreciate you approaching me in broad daylight, out in public, sir.’

  The reporter was obviously caught off-guard. His chest puffed up, and colour dotted his cheeks. ‘Of course, sir. You’re welcome.’

  ‘Truly, I want to thank everyone for their concern, but I need to be off.’ The senator gave the camera another steely-eyed look. ‘I will not allow this cowardly attack to stop me from doing the work my constituents have elected me to do.’

  The senator nodded and then was on his way again. The shot panned, following him and his staffers up the steps. The dome of the Capitol Building came into the wide-angle shot.

  The news switched seamlessly back to the live picture of the reporter, who was clearly still starstruck. ‘This is Randall Cummings, reporting live from the Emissary Hotel.’

  The anchor back at the news station had a serious look on her face when the video cut back to her. ‘Randall, this is quite a disturbing story. Did you reach out to TMI News for comment?’

  ‘I did, Mary, and they had none. Our call was not answered, and, at last check, their website was down.’

  The anchor nodded, her brow furrowed in distaste. ‘Thank you, Randall. In other news …’

  As one, Nina, Rielle and Sienna started breathing again.

  ‘Brody got to them,’ Nina said, the tension around her ribcage loosening. She took another fortifying drink of the coffee Morgan had poured for her.

  ‘That really could not have gone better,’ Sienna said with a sigh of relief.

  Nina noted that her employee hadn’t eaten a bite of her orange, but had picked it clean.

  ‘That’s where Gunderson shines,’ she said, ‘in front of the cameras.’

  ‘But will the story hold?’ Rielle asked.

  ‘From the stars in that reporter’s eyes, he’s not going after it,’ Sienna said.

  ‘No, but the tipster might,’ Nina said. ‘We have no idea who it was or why they called.’

  She nibbled on her lower lip. She knew someone else who would follow up on it, too. Morgan might have been bad-tempered and bleary-eyed this morning, but his take on the situation had been clear.

  They just needed to keep him from proving it or, as Rielle had suggested, stop him from talking. Another hot shiver went through her.

  ‘That was just the opening salvo,’ she warned. ‘We need to stay in front of this.’

  Rielle twiddled her pen. ‘Detective Morgan.’

  Nina nodded. He wasn’t a man who’d get stardust in his eyes. ‘We need to finish this list and follow through on our action items quickly. Today.’

  Preferably before the sleeping bear rose again.

  She hoped he was getting some rest. In a big, soft bed somewhere. She rubbed her thighs together in an uncontrollable motion, but then stiffened her spine and stood.

  ‘I’ll call Dane myself.’

  Sienna finally took a quick bite of an orange slice. She swept up her plate and turned towards her office. ‘I need my computer to start compiling that list.’

  Rielle followed her. ‘I’ll help.’

  Nina glanced at the television, where the story was already old news. She had no misconceptions. This story wasn’t over.

  Sh
e turned off the television and returned to her office. She closed the door behind her and heard it click. Only then did she sag against it. Morgan wasn’t going to give up until he knew her secrets.

  All of them.

  * * *

  Josh sat at a table at the back of Stoney’s Bar and Grill, nursing a cold beer. The place was a couple steps above a dive, but it had good grilled cheese sandwiches and a decent selection of beers. It wasn’t one of those trendy places where the DC yuppies liked to go, but it wasn’t a cop bar either. It was just a quiet neighbourhood pub where he could have a cold one and sit alone, unbothered by anything but his thoughts.

  They were getting to him good enough on their own.

  A tall guy in dark clothes entered the place. The owner looked up and exchanged a nod, but the man slipped by the regulars without one of them noticing. A barfly at the bar did, but her hair flip was ignored as the man quietly passed.

  ‘You look like hell,’ Darien said as he slid into a chair on the other side of the table.

  ‘I’m late for my highlights, I know,’ Josh said dryly. He signalled for the bartender to bring another beer. He welcomed the company. His thoughts were driving him crazy. ‘How’s your gut?’

  Darien rubbed his side almost protectively. ‘Cast iron. A little stab wound can’t hold me down for long. Thanks,’ he told the bartender when an icy mug was slid in front of him. He took an appreciative drink. ‘What are highlights, anyway?’

  ‘Damned if I know.’ Josh settled back in his seat.

  Darien looked uncomfortable, but there was no way Josh was going to switch places. The younger man solved the problem by turning in his chair and putting his back to the wall. He swung his legs up onto the chair next to him and crossed them at the ankles. The pose looked casual, but it gave him a view of both the front and back doors. It hadn’t been his healing injury that caused his uneasiness. Some training just settled in like an old habit.

  ‘Bad day?’ he asked.

  Josh didn’t know if it qualified as bad. Nobody had gotten shot – or knifed. ‘Enlightening,’ he said. Like a lightning bolt to his brain. ‘It’s just been a lot to take in.’