Kate might joke about his enhanced senses, but that night his senses were offline. The nearness of his mate had consumed him, overloading his brain. All he could think about was meeting her.
“Are you ready?” Kate asked as they stood at the bottom of the steps leading up to the building.
“Yes.” Red took the steps to the front door two at a time, leaving Kate trailing behind. Yanking open the door leading into the foyer of the building, he took a quick look around while he waited for her.
“That is not how a wealthy businessman who is having an affair with his secretary behaves,” Kate had coached him on how to play his part all the way here.
“I didn’t know we were getting into character already.” Red stepped into the foyer and held the door open for her to follow. The room was dimly lit, but his shifter senses told him they were alone. “Okay, all clear.”
Wayne is on the second floor. “Our appointment is for seven.” Kate looked at her watch. “We’re ten minutes early, so let’s go see if he has a waiting room we can sit and snoop in.”
“Now who isn’t in character?”
Kate flashed him a smile. “That is so what a secretary would do.”
Chuckling, he walked across to the elevator, pressed the button and then pointed to the stairs. “Let’s take a walk.”
“Why call the elevator?” she asked as she followed him into the stairwell.
He shrugged. “To check that it’s working. You know, if we need a quick getaway. But if we take the stairs we have a chance to scope out the rest of the building.”
“Ah, I see.” Kate followed Red up the stairs. She climbed each step on the ball of her feet to prevent her stiletto heels from clicking on the polished wood floor. “I am so glad we only have to go up two floors.”
Red paused at the entrance to the first floor and ducked his head through the doorway, scanning the corridor for any sign of danger. The offices were in darkness, with no sign of life. Not even a janitor or cleaning lady. Perhaps Wayne was the only one who worked in the evenings, but then Red always figured a private investigator was a clandestine job. It certainly wasn’t a normal nine-to-five.
“One more flight.” He let the door close and turned to look up the stairwell. “I could carry you, if you wanted me to.”
“I can manage, thank you.” Although he could tell by the look on Kate’s face that she at least considered the idea and liked the thought of his big strong arms around her. But she persevered. “Who would wear shoes like this?”
“People who like pain?”
“Remind me never to take a job where I’m expected to wear shoes that pinch your toes and rub your heels,” she complained quietly.
When they reached the door leading onto the second floor, Red hung back against the wall and ducked his head forward to look out through the clear glass panel of the door. “All clear.”
“Wait.” She caught his arm and pulled him back toward her. “We need to get this right. No alerting him to who we really are.” She straightened his tie and then pulled him toward her and kissed his lips.
Red slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, while his free arm pushed against the door and they tumbled out into the corridor.
She gave a startled cry of surprise, but he kept her close, holding her as if they were dancing to their own secret tune.
“Mr. Coltrane?” The voice came from behind them. As Red swung Kate around, he looked over her shoulder, smiled sheepishly and promptly let go of his mate.
“Mr. Reeves.” Red smoothly extended his arm and offered his hand for the PI to shake. “Good of you to see me at such short notice.” He smiled, widely, trying to sink into his part of a rich businessman, but the soldier inside wanted to escape and take control.
Wayne Reeves took Red’s hand and shook it firmly then pointed to his lips. “You might want to wipe that off before your wife sees it.”
Red’s right hand automatically went to the ring finger of his left hand and twirled the gold band he wore. “Thanks.” He took a handkerchief from his breast pocket and wiped his lips.
“Why don’t you come into my office and tell me what you need my help with?” Wayne turned on his heel and led them to his office. Red caught Kate’s eye, raised an eyebrow and nodded.
She pointed at Wayne and mouthed— “From the park?”
Red shook his head. “Restaurant.” He was certain this was the man from the restaurant, but not from the park. He was also certain Wayne Reeves would easily see through Kate’s disguise if he hadn’t already.
Red jerked his head back toward the stairwell. But before they had a chance to slip away, Wayne asked, “Coffee?”
Kate stepped forward. “Yes, please.”
Red cursed under his breath, this wasn’t the plan. All they were supposed to do was come here and speak to the guy so Red could figure out if he was the person who attacked Kate. They had that intel and now it was time to leave.
But Kate had gone completely off script and entered the office of Mr. Reeves, PI, and sat down in one of the two seats available for clients.
“Mr. Coltrane?” Wayne Reeves lifted a cup of coffee and offered it to Red.
“Thank you.” Red slid into the room and sat down in the chair next to Kate.
“Okay. Why don’t we all put our cards on the table?” Wayne sipped his coffee, looking from Red to Kate and back again.
“Oh, well, we’re here because of Mr. Coltrane’s wife,” Kate said in a voice a couple of octaves higher than normal.
“We can all drop the pretense, I believe, Miss Kellan.” Wayne smiled softly. “I appreciate the effort you’ve gone to, but I am aware of who you are. And that it was Mr. Coltrane who saved you from the person in the park last night.”
“I see.” Kate glanced sideways at Red, who was on high alert. With their cover so quickly blown, he was ready for Wayne’s next move.
“You can stand down, my friend,” Wayne said, sitting back in his chair and sipping his coffee. “I’m not the enemy here.”
“Do you know who is?” Red asked quietly.
Wayne shook his head. “No. I didn’t get a good look at her.”
“Her?” Kate asked, stunned by the news that a woman was responsible for the park incident.
“I believe so. I didn’t get a good look at her face, but I’ve studied enough people to know the difference between a man and a woman even if I only see their silhouette in the fading light although this female seemed a little…longer in the neck.” He smiled and stretched his neck. “I should also add the scent of perfume on the air screamed female.” He sniffed the air of his office. “Not the same scent you wear, Miss Kellan.”
“Is that how you work? By scent?” Red asked. “It makes sense, of course, but birds are not well known for their sense of smell.”
“So true. But my mom was a kiwi and I seem to have taken on some of her abilities. Although luckily, I inherited the genes from my father and can fly.” He held up his hands as if he was very special. Red wanted to shift into his bear and roar in the man’s face. His bear did not object to carrying out Red’s wishes, but they still needed information.
“So this woman. Did she follow us to the restaurant?” Kate asked. “Is that why you were there?”
Wayne shook his head. “No, not as far as I am aware. She ran off when your knight in shining armor hid you from her. I followed her to ensure she didn’t double back, but once she reached the road and kept going I figured I should find you and ensure you were safe.” Wayne nodded at Red. “I figured you were the lesser of two unknown evils. I believe I made the right judgment call.”
“I believe you did,” Red agreed with a strained smile.
Kate looked down at her hands nervously. “What did my mom ask you to do?”
Wayne sighed. “That is between me and your mom.”
“Did she just ask you to follow me?” Kate watched Wayne closely as his eyes slid to Red and then back to her. “She asked you to find out if I was se
eing a man. She told me that much.”
“She didn’t act out of malice, if that helps.” Wayne looked uncomfortable. “If she had, I wouldn’t have taken the job.”
“I see.” Kate drank her coffee and fell silent.
“And you didn’t follow the person in the park to the restaurant?” Red asked Wayne.
“No, I told you, she went off in the other direction. I flew…went back to the place I’d last seen Kate and picked up your trail.”
“I know about shifters,” Kate interjected.
“I figured you might.” Wayne once again put his focus on Red.
“I know about mates, too.” Kate placed her cup down on the desk. “Red and I are mates. My mom knows.”
“Oh, don’t worry, even if that were not the case I wouldn’t be telling her. She fired me.” Wayne grinned. “But you already knew that, too. I’m glad you and your mom are talking again.”
“We never weren’t talking.” Kate's eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Did she tell you that we weren’t?”
“All she said was that you were having difficulties. I’m glad that’s behind you since you have a new problem to deal with. At least I assume the person who followed you was unknown to you until last night.” He steepled his fingers and leaned forward. “I would have shifted into human form if I thought you really needed my protection.”
“Good to know. Yes. She, or he, is still unknown to me. I didn’t get a good look at them. I wouldn’t know who it was if I passed them on the street.” Kate leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes before she shook her head. “Nothing, only a fragment of memory.”
“And you, bear shifter?” Wayne asked Red. “Or were you too drunk on love?”
“That just about sums it up.” Red stood up, feeling as if he needed to strip off his suit before it strangled him. “A woman? Are you certain?”
“Yes. I flew close to her, I got a good scent of her perfume. Gardenia and violets. A heady scent.” Wayne inhaled and closed his eyes. “I’d know it if I smelled it again.”
“Great, perhaps tomorrow you could walk around town and smell every woman you meet,” Kate suggested acidly.
“I like you, Kate. So maybe I will.” Wayne grinned and stood up. “I think you have all the information I can give you. If you need help, give me a call, but I cannot protect you in the same way your mate can.”
“Thanks, Wayne.” Kate stood up and offered him her hand. “Will you do me one last favor?”
“That would depend on what it is.” Wayne’s eyes narrowed.
“If my mom ever asks you to follow me again, would you let me know?”
“I don’t think she will. When I spoke to her earlier today, she seemed worried she’d made things worse between you and her.” A smile played across his lips.
“You knew it was us before we even got here,” Kate accused. “My mom told you we were coming.”
“Client confidentiality.” Wayne winked. “You can see yourselves out?”
“We can.” Red opened the door and left the office. Kate walked behind him as he headed for the elevator.
“What do you think?” Kate asked as they stood waiting for the elevator to arrive.
“About Wayne?” he looked back down the hallway to the closed door of the PI.
“Yes. Do you believe him?” Kate didn’t sound too sure. The elevator arrived, and they stepped inside.
“Yes,” Red answered when the doors were shut, and he leaned forward to press the button for the ground floor. “I think your mom hired him to check that you weren’t wrapped up in something, or someone, that might hurt you.”
“Or hurt my career,” Kate added.
“Or hurt your career,” Red agreed. “Then this stalker thing happened. Without which, you might never have known you had a little bird flying around keeping tabs on you.”
“Also, if it wasn’t for this stalker, we would never have met either,” Kate reminded him.
“So true.” He slipped his arm around her waist. “That does not mean I’m ever going to be grateful for the person who threatened you yesterday.”
“Do you really think it’s a woman?” Kate asked as the doors opened, and they stepped out into the foyer.
“Wayne seemed pretty convinced. A shifter doesn’t usually get these things wrong.”
Except for when they are faced with their mate for the first time and can’t tell their ass from their…
Okay, thanks, I don’t see you having much input on this whole thing. I think you were just as bamboozled as I was.
Bamboozled? What the hell kind of word is that? His bear huffed in disgust.
“You’re right. He did seem certain. The scent is interesting. It’s our one solid clue.” They went out into the street and walked to his truck. With each step he kept his senses alert, waiting for the stalker to appear, but no one so much as passed them by.
“Maybe it was just some freakish coincidence, like a perfect storm.” Kate got into the truck and put her seatbelt on. “You, me, the stalker and Wayne. What are the chances?”
“Fate.” Red pulled out into the road and drove toward the hotel. When they got there, he would see if he could rent a room himself, hopefully on the same floor as Kate. The revelation that the stalker might be a woman troubled him.
“Fate. Are you saying fate set this whole thing up?” Kate half-turned to face him.
“That’s what we believe in. That our fated mate is linked to us because of fate.”
“Because of fate?” She frowned, and he turned onto the road where the hotel stood on the corner. He couldn’t help but hope fate might step in and make them spend the night together. Not for sex, although as a red-blooded male with his mate seated only a couple of feet away, he’d be lying if he said it didn’t cross his mind. But he sure wouldn’t say no to keeping her within his sights, preferably in his arms.
“Yes. Fate brings two people together at the right time.” He grinned. “Hey, don’t I know it. I did rescue you last night.”
Kate blew the air out of her cheeks. “I can see I’m going to have to rescue you right back or I am never going to hear the end of that, am I?”
He laughed. “I can look after myself.”
She chuckled. “We’ll see.”
As he turned into the hotel parking lot, her cell phone rang. While she dug in her purse for her phone, Red parked the truck and switched off the engine.
“Are you okay?” Red asked when he saw Kate’s pale face.
“Yeah, I’m needed over at the studio. Something about a break-in at my trailer.” She looked at her phone, confusion on her face.
“I’ll drive you.” Red started the truck and reversed out of the parking space, heading back out onto the street. “Did they take anything of value?”
“They didn’t say.” Kate still looked confused.
“Do you want me to go alone?” he offered.
“No. I’m fine. I just…” She frowned. “I don’t know. Something was off with the guy's voice. But I can’t put my finger on it.”
A shiver traveled down Red’s spine. “We should be on our guard.”
Kate nodded. “You think this is connected to last night?”
“Possibly. But going forward, whatever we do, wherever we go, we take extra care.” Red stopped at the security gate leading into the parking lot. He rolled his window down but before he had a chance to show his visitor’s badge, the gate lifted, and the security guard waved them through.
“I guess they were expecting us.” Kate’s strained voice did nothing to calm his own nerves. Something wasn’t right, but the only way they were going to put the pieces together was if they sought out the danger and confronted it head-on. Side by side.
Chapter Thirteen – Kate
This wasn’t right. She knew it. He knew it. But if they were ever going to figure out who was behind this, then they might have to walk into an ambush.
What bothered Kate more than anything was why the film set had been chosen as the place
for the ambush. Surely with all the security cameras around, whoever wanted to lure them here would be caught.
“Carter?” Disbelief tinged Red’s voice as he stopped the truck and got out.
“Careful, Red,” Kate warned as she jumped out of the truck and went to join Red as Carter Eden walked toward them.
“Hi. I didn’t know security called you.” Carter frowned as he looked Red and Kate up and down. “Why wasn’t I invited to the costume party?”
Red glanced down at his suit and shook his head. “There wasn’t one. We went to meet someone. Someone who might have some information on who was behind the attempted attack on Kate.”
“Did you find anything out that might help?” Carter asked.
“Not really.” Red pointed to Kate’s trailer. “So what’s the story here?”
Carter shrugged. “I don’t know. I had to come back to collect a gift for one of the kids. And as I walked across the lot to my trailer, I saw someone coming out of yours.”
“Did you see who? Man or woman?” Kate asked.
“No, as soon as they saw me they ran. I followed but they just disappeared.” Carter studied Kate for a moment and opened his mouth as if to speak but then closed it again.
“Kate knows about shifters,” Red told his friend.
“Thank goodness for that.” Relief flooded Carter’s voice. “See, I wondered if whoever it was leaving your trailer shifted into something small and ran away into the shadows.”
“Well, at least we know it’s not the private investigator Marylin hired, since we were with him at the time…” Red’s voice faltered.
“What?” Kate asked.
“He might have had time to get here. If he flew out of his office as we left and then came directly here…” Red’s suggestion seemed too farfetched.
“Why? Why would he do that?” Kate asked.
“Because we would assume he had the perfect alibi.” Red’s face set firm. “I agree it’s unlikely, but to rule him out completely at this stage might be a mistake.”
“Maybe you are right,” Kate agreed begrudgingly. If Wayne was a suspect, that planted her mom squarely in the frame, too. Perhaps there was something in the trailer she wanted. But what?
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