She didn’t look away as he expected she might, but kept her cool gaze fixed on him. “I told you before. I don’t need you, or anyone else for that matter, to keep me safe.”
Deflated at her stubborn stance that he knew he wouldn’t find a way around, his own irritation flared. He crossed his arms. Too bad if she didn’t want him to watch out for her. If she stepped into danger, he’d live the SEAL creed. She was his teammate now. He would keep an eye on her. No matter what she said or did or how much she wanted him to back down.
“If you’re expecting me to fold because of that glare you’re casting my way, I won’t,” she said. “I’ve spent my life with big brothers thinking they had to keep me safe, and if I don’t give in to them, I won’t give in to you.” The anger he’d expected earlier sharpened her words.
He needed to find a way to gain her cooperation instead of barking commands at her. “Don’t take my need to defend you as a lack of confidence in your abilities.”
“Really? How else can I take it?”
“When I look at you I don’t see a P.I. or a former FBI agent. I see a very soft and feminine woman. That’s what any adversary is bound to see and take advantage of.”
“Where you are exactly what you look like,” she replied, then seemed surprised she’d said it aloud.
Hating that he needed to know what she thought of him, he asked, “And that is?”
“Military through and through. Tough. In charge. Not willing to take no for an answer. Uncompromising.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You make it sound like those are bad things.”
“Bad? Not really, I suppose. I’ve just seen my share of that behavior in men I’ve dated, and it’s not something I want in my life.”
For a moment, he couldn’t think of anything except how much her words hurt. Was her opinion of him that important? Had she come to mean something to him in such a short time?
Nah. He may be attracted to her, but that’s where it ended. After all, if he lost his company he’d be out on the streets. Not literally, as Natalie would let him live with her, but figuratively. A man without any means. He wouldn’t even have enough cash to take Dani to dinner at a fast food place, much less a fine restaurant, so there would be no relationship.
Still, her comment hurt and he didn’t know what to say.
“You’re deep in thought.” She raised a brow and watched him. “Something you want to share?”
The last thing she needed right now was to be told he found her attractive. He needed to keep their focus on the job and try to gain her cooperation, not alienate her further.
“I’ll admit I can come on strong,” he said, then offered a smile of apology. “I have—had—two sisters, and watching out for them became second nature to me. But in the interest of a good working relationship with you, I’ll try to remember your qualifications and think before speaking in the future.”
She appraised him with those perceptive eyes, digging deep.
“I mean it, Dani. I will try. You have my word. Deal?” He held out his hand and waited for her to take it.
She did, clasping her soft hand in his. A hand made for holding, not firing a gun. Frustrated by the detour his mind took when he’d just promised to tone down thinking about her as a fragile woman, he let her hand go and returned to his desk.
The SEAL creed flashed into his mind again. He was a man of integrity—his word a promise.
He glanced at Dani. She stared at her computer, her focus intense. She would give her all to this case, and he was beginning to think that meant she might even give her life for him. The thought sent a shudder through his body, and he wanted to take back his promise. But he’d given his word, and he needed to keep it, no matter the outcome.
FIVE
Hours later as Dani continued to work at the table in Luke’s office, she still felt bad for stereotyping him. She hadn’t been wrong. He seemed to be all of the things she’d said. But to be fair to him, when she’d blurted out her comment, she’d been thinking of Paul. She didn’t know Luke well enough to lump him in the same category as Paul, yet Luke’s tendencies led her to believe he would try to control a relationship.
Meaning to apologize for her rush to judgment, she’d glanced at him several times throughout the day. But every time she opened her mouth to speak, she hadn’t been able to get the words out.
Why did it matter so much, anyway? Why couldn’t she just let him be protective if he wanted to be? She had nothing to prove to him. It was her brothers who’d held her back for so long. And Paul. She’d never forget Paul’s need to control.
She looked at Luke again. He sat behind his desk, his posture rigid, his expression closed as it had been all day. Maybe it was best if she didn’t take back her comment, as it had effectively erected a buffer between them and kept her from thinking about him when she shouldn’t.
Right, how’s that working for you? Who’re you thinking about right now?
She sighed and forced her attention back to the computer. A blinking cursor on the open window caught her attention.
A letter H flashed onto the screen. Then an e-l-l-o.
Hello? Odd. Someone was sending her a message, but how?
She watched as words slowly unfolded one letter at a time.
Hello, Dani. Impressive. I didn’t think you’d get this far this fast.
Echo! He’d hacked the network again and evaded her computer security.
What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue? the letters scrolled out.
She shouldn’t engage him in a conversation, should she? It would only fuel his obvious need to scare her. But if she ignored him, might he get mad and take it out on her?
Trying to decide what to do, she stared at the screen. The cursor blinked like a clock. Tick, tick, tick, it urged her to make a decision quickly before the opportunity was lost.
Okay, be that way. I just wanted to remind you of the promise I made after I took care of Grace. I always keep my promise, Dani. Always.
She’d never forget his promise to kill her if she ever interfered with him again. Never.
Her heart thundered in her chest and her hands trembled and turned clammy. Here she was acting so confident in her abilities and not needing anyone else, then she falls apart when a simple message flashes on the screen.
But it wasn’t simple, was it?
He’d hacked through several firewalls and her computer security. If he could do that, he could hunt her down and carry out his promise.
A cry of distress slipped through her lips, and she shot a glance at Luke to see if he’d noticed. He had and was already on his feet, coming her way. “What’s wrong?”
She quickly closed her computer and laid her hands in her lap to hide the trembling. “It’s been a long day and it’s time for me to head home.”
He watched her with hawklike precision. “Let me drive you.”
Honestly, she’d like nothing better than to give in and let him see her safely home. But if she did, he’d keep questioning her until she told him about Echo. Then she was sure he’d insist on telling her family. Once they heard Echo was back, they’d pull her off this case without a chance to defend herself. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—let that happen.
She cast a defiant look at Luke and packed up her computer.
“Don’t tell me,” he said sardonically. “I’m pushing too hard?”
“Yes.”
“What’s so wrong with wanting to make sure you get home okay after such a trying day?”
She struggled to find a good answer, and when she saw Tim pass in the hallway, an idea popped into her mind. “Tim’s had a difficult day, too. Are you going to drive him home?”
“No, but—” He abruptly ended his sentence, and she could see his thoughts travel over his face.
Hoisting her computer strap onto her shoulder, she headed for the door. “I’ll see you first thing in the morning, Luke.”
She didn’t look back, but as she walked down the hallway, she settled her hand on her weapon to assure herself that it was there if she needed it. Certain Luke was watching her out the window as he’d done earlier today, she didn’t look up but climbed behind the wheel of her car. She made her way through the parking lot and out the security gate. As she turned onto the main road, she was sure she saw Luke’s rental car pull through the gate behind her. She doubted he’d decided to head home this early, but surely he wasn’t planning to follow her, was he? Not after his promise.
She pointed her car toward home, glancing in the mirror every few minutes and confirming Luke remained behind her. She turned off the main road onto a thoroughfare that would take her to the small town house in Tigard. She kept checking the mirror for Luke. He wouldn’t have any reason to make the same turn unless he was tailing her.
His car swung around the corner. Really? His idea of remembering her qualifications was to tail her first chance he got? The nerve.
She whipped into her driveway and saw him stop down the block. Her irritation already at the boiling point, she jumped out of her car and marched down the street. At least he had the decency not to drive off when she approached his car. Instead he opened the door and slowly came to his full height. His body was obviously stiff from his injuries, but she didn’t comment or offer any help. She knew by now that he’d lift those powerful shoulders into a hard line and refuse any assistance.
Just like you would do.
“Is this your way of honoring the commitment you made earlier?” she asked, her anger already lessened by seeing his obvious pain.
“Yes.”
She demanded an explanation with an arched brow and pointed look.
“I promised to try and I did. I tried to watch you drive off the lot. I tried and failed.” His lips tipped in an adorable smile, and despite her desire to stay mad at him, she felt her irritation melt more.
How could a man who irked her so, who was completely wrong for her, disarm her with a simple smile? She was an adult. A grown woman, who’d had her share of relationships and even survived a stalker. So why couldn’t she stay mad at him?
She opened her mouth to respond, but he held up his hand. “Before you say anything, this isn’t about wanting to protect you. Despite your not wanting to tell me what’s going on, I know you’ve had a bad day. I can see it in your eyes.” He lifted his hand as if he was going to touch her face.
She was not at all opposed to his touch, but for precisely that reason she stepped back. “I’m okay.”
“That’s what you’ve wanted me to think all day, but I don’t buy it. Something’s distracting you, and I didn’t want it to cause you to have an accident.”
His kindness made it hard to keep from telling him about Echo. To keep from inviting him inside for dinner. To get to know him better.
“Can I take your silence to mean you aren’t mad at me?” he asked.
Was she? She opened her mouth to answer when her phone chimed from her pocket. She pulled it out and saw an unidentified caller. For a second she thought about not accepting the call and focusing on Luke, but it could be related to the case.
“Dani Justice,” she answered.
“Hey, pretty thing,” Eggleston’s slimy voice slithered through the phone.
“What can I do for you, Eggleston?” she asked, and noticed Luke take a step closer as if he thought Eggleston might come through the phone and hurt her. Luke would insist she repeat the conversation, so to save herself the trouble she punched the speaker button.
“I’m here with Smash,” Eggleston continued. “He got the computer from a trash can in a park.” He rattled off the name of a local park.
“It’s just down the street from my house,” Luke whispered as if he didn’t want Eggleston to know that piece of information.
“He said he was bedding down for the night,” Eggleston continued, “and he saw a dude toss it in the can.”
“Can he describe the guy?”
“Just a minute and I’ll check.” She heard Eggleston ask Smash if he could ID the man, followed by a few mumbled words from Smash. “He says he can do it.”
“So put him on the phone.”
“Ah...no way. First, you come down here and give me my cash. Then you can ask him yourself.”
“Where are you?” Dani asked.
“I’ll meet you by Skidmore Fountain.”
She was familiar with the downtown location as she regularly volunteered at the Portland Rescue Mission and attended the Portland Saturday Market, both located near the fountain. She glanced at her watch. “I’ll be there as quickly as I can, but it’s rush hour so it may take some time to get there.”
“Be sure to bring my reward, pretty lady.” Eggleston hung up.
“We,” Luke said. “We’ll be there as soon as we can. I’ll drive.”
Dani didn’t even contemplate arguing with him. “Then let’s go. We have no time to waste if we want to catch Smash before he disappears again.”
They settled into Luke’s vehicle and he kept his focus on the road. After the turmoil between them, Dani was glad to ride in silence. As he swung his car into a parking space across the street from the fountain, she peered through the hazy fog developing.
“There’s Eggleston,” she said. He was standing by the historic fountain—turned off for the cold-weather months—and wearing the same baggy jeans and hoodie, hopping from foot to foot as if trying to keep warm.
“I see him, but I don’t see anyone else. So where’s Smash?” Luke turned off the ignition.
“Do you think he played me to get me down here and take my money?”
“If he did, the poor man doesn’t have a clue what he has coming to him,” Luke said without any inflection in his voice.
Dani flashed an irritated look at him.
He held up a hand in defense. “I’m just saying you can be mighty fierce when crossed.”
She ignored the well-deserved comment and jumped out of the car. She had to wait for a MAX Light Rail train to zip down the track before crossing the road. Luke joined her, and she cringed as the wheels grated on the metal rail’s curve. Once clear, she rushed across the road. Luke reached out as if to take her arm, then fisted his hand and let it fall to his side.
Despite meeting a known criminal in a dark area of town, she smiled at his self-restraint. He really was trying, and she had to give him credit for that. She approached Eggleston.
“Well, hi, pretty lady.” He leered at her.
“Where’s Smash?” she asked without any pleasantries.
He flapped out his hand. “My money.”
“Smash,” Luke said pointedly.
Eggleston took a step back. “It’s the craziest thing. I got another call about the computer.”
“The same computer we’re looking for?” Dani asked.
“Yeah, man. What’re the odds of that?” He laughed. “The guy made me an offer for Smash’s information. It was better than yours, but I told the guy you were on the way to offer me more.”
Luke crossed his arms, broadening his shoulders. “You were playing him to up the ante.”
Despite Luke’s domineering presence, Eggleston grinned. “Yeah, man.”
Luke took a step closer, and Dani knew he wanted to throttle Eggleston, so she stepped between them. “Is that why Smash isn’t here?”
He nodded. “When I told the guy about it, he raised his price but said he couldn’t get here right away. Said he’d pay me double if I found a hiding place for Smash until he could get here.”
Dani crossed her arms. “So you stashed him somewhere.”
Eggleston puffed out his hollow ches
t. “’Course I did. I mean, double the money. Come on, you’d have done the same thing.”
“If this guy really intends to pay you.” Luke kept his unrelenting stare on Eggleston. “Did you stop to think he might be watching this corner to see who answered the call and then follow you to get to Smash without paying a penny?”
Eggleston issued a string of curses under his breath.
“I’m beginning to wonder if Smash even exists.” Dani searched the area to see if anyone was watching them. If so, they had to be mingling with a group of homeless men on the corner. Otherwise, the area was deserted. Maybe Eggleston had played them.
“Give me the hundred and I’ll take you to him.” Eggleston planted his hands on his nonexistent hips. “C’mon. Pay up and you’ll see.”
Dani shook her head. “I’ll give you the money once I confirm that Smash is a real person who saw the computer being dumped.”
“Fine. Follow me.” Eggleston shoved his hands in his pockets, and Dani feared his low-riding jeans would fall to the ground. He turned and tromped down the road toward the waterfront.
She and Luke trailed him into the fog clinging to the sidewalk like cotton candy on a stick. A fine mist started falling, chilling her face. She suddenly realized how cold it had gotten, and she hunched into her jacket. They moved deeper into the shadows, and an ominous feeling settled over her. Despite the cold, she unzipped her jacket and rested her hand on her weapon.
Eggleston ducked behind a small building. “Hey, Smash. I’m here.”
Dani paused to listen but didn’t hear a reply.
She looked up at Luke. “You think this mystery caller got to Smash before us?”
Luke’s eyes narrowed. “It’s not looking good.”
Dani slowly drew her gun from the holster and flicked off the safety.
“Is that really necessary?” he asked.
“It’s dark and we’re following a two-bit criminal into a secluded area when he knows I have cash. So yes, I think it’s necessary.”
Thread of Suspicion Page 7