“All right. Now, how about I go with you this afternoon, to see how you operate?” Jim’s voice was casual, as was his stance. But his eyes gave him away.
“No, thank you,” Carrie said coolly. “I work best alone.”
Jim took a couple of steps back, then he called to Will. “Will? Carrie doesn’t want me to go with her. She thinks she’ll be better alone.”
Carrie knew what Will’s response would be. She gathered her courage to resist his preference.
Sure enough, Will came out of his office. “Carrie, I think it would be a good idea for Jim to go with you.”
“Especially since I’m checking up on Richard Riley?” Carrie said, staring at Will.
“Well, it wouldn’t hurt to have someone with you,” Will said reasonably.
“Will, if you don’t think I can do my job, I’ll have my resignation on your desk tomorrow.” She drew a deep breath. “After I check on Richard Riley today!”
She picked up her files and headed for the door.
“Wait!” Will called.
Carrie didn’t want to stop, But it was Will. “Yes?” she asked, turning around.
“Jim will promise to stay in the car. In fact, I insist he do so, since he’s not licensed to carry a gun yet.”
“You know we don’t use guns to do our job,” Carrie insisted.
“I know. But I like you to have one for emergencies.” Will cleared his throat. “Just take Jim with you. Explain your approach and show him the files. He can read them while you’re contacting our suspect. That’s all, Carrie. You don’t mind, do you?”
Carrie minded. Not because she thought Jim was going along to protect her. But because she wouldn’t be at her best with the big man beside her. She was too conscious of him, too interested in his response.
But she didn’t have a choice unless she really wanted to quit. And she didn’t. “Okay, but he stays in the car.”
The two men exchanged a glance that irritated Carrie, but they both agreed to her terms. So when she walked to her car, she had Jim alongside her.
“You’re mad that I involved Will?” Jim asked after they’d gotten in the car.
“Yes,” she said in a clipped tone.
“How else am I going to learn?”
Carrie flashed him an angry look. “This is not rocket science. The computer is the hard part and you thought it was simple. Sneaking up on people is a lot less complicated.”
“Maybe. But I’m not used to that. In the marines, everyone knows you’re a soldier.”
Carrie just shook her head. “Richard Riley is the top file. You can start reading it.”
Jim gave her a knowing look, but he did as she suggested.
Richard Riley claimed the injuries he’d sustained in a car accident had left him unable to walk, relegating him to a wheelchair. He’d sued the other driver for millions. But apparently the insurance company had reason to believe Mr. Riley was a fake, and they’d hired Greenfield and Associates to prove them right.
It didn’t take long for Jim to figure out why Will thought the man might be dangerous. Not only had he bilked fifty grand from an insurance company five years ago, but he had numerous guns registered in his name. Besides, six-figure settlements made people antsy.
“No wonder the company wants you to investigate,” Jim said, closing the file.
“Yes, they’ve been dragging their heels on paying, but Riley’s attorney has arranged for settlement within a couple of weeks.”
“So how are you going to approach him?”
“I’m not. I’m going to approach his wife. I have a cosmetic demo that I’ve used before. I knock on the door and ask if I can show her the latest trends in makeup.”
“But you don’t wear makeup.”
She smiled. “I will when I go to their house.”
They had reached the street that the Rileys lived on. Carrie parked three houses down, then reached in the backseat and brought out a pink case. When she opened it, she began applying makeup.
Jim watched her every move, making her nervous. In five minutes she was ready. “Remember,” she told him, “you promised to stay in the car.”
“Right. How long will you be?”
“Possibly half an hour, maybe longer.”
JIM CHECKED HIS watch after Carrie had exited the car. It was two o’clock. He slumped down in the seat and picked up the next file.
Fifteen minutes later, there was still no sign of Carrie. He’d watched her enter the home, but he didn’t know if the wife was home alone or with Riley. If Riley was suspicious, Carrie could be in danger.
What could he do? She’d said at least half an hour. He wouldn’t be justified in going to the house and ringing the doorbell.
Stirring in his seat, Jim wanted to get out and at least stretch his legs. But he didn’t dare. Too bad Carrie had one of those little economy cars. It was certainly nondescript, though, good for undercover work.
He studied the files some more, and when he felt as if he’d memorized them, he checked his watch, noting that Carrie had been gone twenty-eight minutes. He gave up any pretense of studying the files. Instead, he stared at the front door of the house Carrie had entered. As four minutes ticked off his watch, he grew more and more antsy.
Just when he’d seized the door handle, ready to ride to the rescue, Carrie came out of the house with a friendly wave to the woman at the door.
Then she walked up the sidewalk to the house next door and rang the doorbell.
Damn it! What was she doing?
There was obviously no answer there. Carrie did the same at the next house. Someone answered that door, and for several minutes Carrie talked to whomever answered the door. Then, with a wave, she headed toward the car.
Jim breathed a sigh of relief. Everything was all right.
When Carrie got in the driver’s seat and stowed her makeup case in the backseat, Jim prodded, “Well?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Did you see Riley?”
“No. The wife said his brother took him out. Apparently he does that every once in a while. The brother is supposed to be a big man who can lift Riley in and out of his wheelchair.”
“Did you get his brother’s name?”
“Of course I did,” she said, looking down her nose at him. “It’s Charles. I intend to be sure he can lift his brother. In the meantime, his wife said she couldn’t buy anything until they got their insurance payment. Then they’re going to take a vacation.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know yet. But I will. Mrs. Riley assured me her husband loves to buy their tickets online because he can get a better deal.”
“But he won’t have to worry about a deal if he gets that big check.”
Carrie smiled. “People follow the same pattern, even if circumstances change.”
“So you’ll check on the size of his brother and watch for airline ticket purchases?”
“That’s right. We garner our evidence piece by piece, until we have a complete picture.”
“Sounds like it takes patience,” Jim said with his gaze narrowed on something outside the car.
“That’s right.”
“And it doesn’t bother you that you’re constantly dealing with scum?”
“No. I think of myself as a policeman. Someone has to hold the line on decency.”
“Okay. What do we do now? Are you going to visit the other two cases this afternoon?”
“No, I think I’ll save them for another day. I want to track down Riley’s brother.” She felt like she was on the verge of proving what she believed—that Riley was a fake. She’d been working on this case for a month now and anticipated the big fee the insurance company would pay to have this claim proven false.
When they got back to the office, Jim asked, “Mind if I watch?”
“Will might have something else you can do.”
Jim frowned. “Trying to get rid of me?”
“Didn’t you warn me to keep my distance?�
�� she demanded, hoping her voice didn’t sound as surly as she thought it did. She regretted her words almost at once.
His withdrawal was more than physical. His eyes went blank, his voice turned cold. “Right.” Then he turned and knocked on Will’s door. “Will, have you got a minute?”
Carrie stared as Jim entered Will’s office and closed the door. She felt awful. She would like to become his friend, but her feelings weren’t friendly. In her imagination, Jim would sweep her off her feet. Their eyes would have met over her desk and their attraction would have been mutual and instantaneous. In reality, instead of a come-hither look, his eyes told her to keep her distance.
The phone rang and Carrie answered. It was Vivian wanting Carrie to come to dinner tonight for Jim’s first family meal.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Vivian. Our first day hasn’t gone smoothly.”
“Carrie, I want you to come. You haven’t been over in a while.”
“I was there last night, remember?”
“Yes, but there were so many of us. I lost track of you.”
“Let me talk to Will first.”
“Okay, but I’m expecting you.”
Carrie said goodbye and hung up the phone. Then the door opened and Will, with Jim beside him, came out. “Carrie, can I talk to you while Jim tries out the computer?”
“Of course.” She followed Will back into his office. He indicated she should sit down in front of his desk.
“How are things going?”
She dropped her gaze to her hands. “Fine.”
“Jim seems to feel you don’t want to work with him.”
Carrie didn’t look up, nor did she know what to say. Finally she answered honestly, as she always did. “It’s—it’s difficult having him around, but I’ll adjust. If he stays and he gets his own cases and his own computer, it will be fine.”
“Are you sure? We need the help, but I owe you a lot. You’ve hung with me a long time. If you can’t work with Jim, then I’ll help him find another job.”
“No, Will. He’s family. I’m not. I’ll try harder to be…polite to him.”
“I’d appreciate it, honey. I really do think he’s going to be good at this job.”
“Yes, I’m sure he will. If you don’t mind, I think I’ll go home early. That will give Jim time at the computer without me hanging over him.”
“Sure. Do you feel all right?”
“Yes, of course. Oh, and Vivian just asked me to dinner, but would you tell her I can’t make it? I’ve got other plans.”
“All right. But it would be nice if you came to dinner tonight.”
“Thank you, but I can’t.”
She slipped from his office before he asked more questions.
When he realized she had come out of Will’s office, Jim started to get out of her chair.
“No, that’s all right,” she said. “I’m going home early. You can use the computer the rest of the day. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Carrie, are you going home because of me?”
“No. Yesterday was such a long day, and I’ve made plans for this evening, so I’m going to go home and have a bubble bath.”
She got her purse out of the desk drawer and waved goodbye. If she’d had any more excuses, she’d have used them. But she was all out. Fighting tears that suddenly appeared in her eyes for no reason at all, she hurried to her car.
Better to get away from the handsome man she’d dreamed about for months now. It was so tempting to throw herself into his strong arms. But that was her dream, not reality. She had to fight those dreams.
When she reached her apartment, she sat down on the couch, unsure what to do with herself. Finally she pulled out the paper and looked at the movies playing. She chose a romantic comedy showing near her apartment. That was how she would spend her evening.
Anything to escape reality. The Jim Barlow of her dreams was a wonderful, accommodating man. The real Jim Barlow was a stubborn, difficult man. He was intruding into her world, making her life unsettled. But while she was still fascinated with him, he wanted her to keep her distance.
She was being torn apart by her unreasonable emotions, longing to feel his arms around her, but reading his resistance in his eyes.
Maybe the film she chose would relieve her frustration.
PER HIS WIFE’S instructions, via the phone, Will asked Jim to come to dinner. He immediately said no.
“You have other plans?” Will asked.
“No, but I ate dinner at your house last night.”
“And it was so bad you can’t bring yourself to come again?” Will asked, grinning.
“Of course it wasn’t. Betty cooked it,” Jim said, laughing in response. He knew what Will was doing. “You’re not going to shame me into accepting. Besides, I need to look for a place to live. You yourself said it was too expensive to live in the hotel.”
“Well, yeah, but Vivian and Vanessa might know of someplace nearby. Besides, Rachel and J.D. are leaving to go back home in the morning. They’d really like to see you again.”
Jim stared at the man being so reasonable. Finally he said, “Okay, I’ll come tonight, but I can’t get in the habit of eating Betty’s cooking every night. I’d double my weight if I did.”
“I’ll warn Vivian that it can’t be a constant thing. Okay?”
Jim nodded. “Is Carrie coming?” He held his breath, waiting for Will’s assurance that Carrie would be present. No matter how he wanted to deny it, he was attracted to Carrie Rand. She impressed him with her strength, but at the same time, he was bowled over by her femininity. By her sexy curves and shapely legs. No matter how much he tried telling himself it was because he was in the military too long and had spent endless days and nights with men, he knew that was just an excuse. It wasn’t any woman who attracted him. It was Carrie.
His disappointment was palpable when Will told him she wouldn’t be there tonight.
“Does she usually turn down your invitations?”
“On occasion. She’s allowed to have a life, Jim.”
Jim thought about that idea as they walked down to their cars. “So Carrie has a…significant other?”
“Not that I know of,” Will replied.
“So if you called her and said I wasn’t coming, would she change her mind?”
Will stopped and faced Jim. “No, I don’t think so. Carrie wants things to work out for you. There may be a slight adjustment period, but it will work out.” He clapped Jim on the back. “Put Carrie out of your mind and come enjoy your family.”
JIM WAS TRYING to do as Will had suggested, but as soon as he entered the Greenfield house, Vivian asked, “Where’s Carrie?”
Will frowned. “She told me to tell you she said she had plans.” He bent down to kiss his wife and launched right into the discussion Jim dreaded.
“By the way, Jim is looking for an apartment. Do you know of any in the area that have vacancies?”
Vivian stared at him with her big does eyes. “I was hoping you’d move here, Jim.”
He slowly shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, Vivian, but I’m used to being independent. I’d appreciate any recommendations you might have.”
“Well, we’d want it to be somewhere close. I’m not sure—”
Vanessa’s entrance interrupted their discussion. “Jim! I wasn’t sure Mom was telling the truth until now. I’m so glad you’re here! It brightens my day—and it needs brightening. I took a test today that I’m sure I failed!”
Jim frowned, concern in his eyes.
To his surprise, Vivian laughed. “You’ll have to get used to Vanessa’s dramatics. She probably got an A on it. She always assures me she did horribly, then she brings home a good grade.”
Jim looked at Vanessa. “Is that true?”
She gave a rueful grin and shrugged her shoulders. “Maybe.”
“You can’t do that to me. My heart can’t take it,” Jim said.
Vanessa looked stricken. “I didn’t mean to
upset you!”
“No, of course,” Jim said, and, to even his surprise, he put an arm around Vanessa and hugged her. “I just want the best for my sisters, that’s all.”
“Wow,” Vanessa said in surprise. “He’s going to be an even tougher taskmaster than you, Mom.”
“Good,” Vivian said with a smile.
Vanessa looked at Jim. “Even when I was little, Mom always said if I did my best, it was okay. It always made me feel guilty if I hadn’t.”
“She’s a smart lady.” Jim smiled at Vivian.
“Well, now that we’ve got that settled, maybe Vanessa knows of some apartments,” Vivian suggested.
“For whom?” Vanessa asked.
“For me, honey,” Jim said. He raised a hand when Vanessa opened her mouth to protest. “I can’t live here. I’m used to taking care of myself. So, do you know of any apartments in the area?”
A huge smile lit up Vanessa’s face. “Actually, I do know of an apartment. And if you move into it, you’ll have Carrie as your neighbor!”
Chapter Five
It wasn’t Jim’s fault.
Since last night Carrie had been telling herself those words over and over again. And she believed them. She knew whose fault it was that she’d eaten a hot dog at the theater and watched a silly movie, instead of dining on one of Betty’s wonderful dinners and enjoying good conversation.
It was her fault.
She needed to stop reacting to Jim as if he were a long-lost lover instead of a stranger. When she’d gone to bed, she’d tossed and turned, trying to deal with her dreams and reality. She should’ve known better.
Promising herself that tomorrow would be different, she’d finally drifted off to sleep around one o’clock. Then she’d overslept and had to scramble to get to work by nine.
To her surprise, she was the first to arrive. She checked her desk to be sure everything was in its correct place. Then she chastised herself for being so possessive.
She made a fresh pot of coffee for Will and Jim, and got a soft drink out of the small refrigerator. She hadn’t had time for breakfast this morning.
The phone rang and she slipped into her chair to answer it. “Greenfield and Associates.”
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