Chapter Eleven
Bear
“PLEASE TELL ME YOU have good news,” Ransom called into the phone. He listened carefully and then clenched his fist in the air. “I knew it. Send everything over to my office.” He ended the call and smiled wide.
“You gonna tell me what the hell that was about?”
“Leonard Conner Luther.”
“That’s our guy?”
Ransom nodded. “That is his full name.”
Dammit. That was how this guy was hiding in plain sight. He more than likely didn’t change his name legally but was able to go by his middle name and shortened last name. “I’m assuming he’s got some priors since they were able to match his DNA.”
“He was popped for stalking and DUI.”
“Here in Rockton?”
Ransom shook his head. “Michigan. We’re getting more puzzle pieces, so now we need to figure out how they all go together.”
“Well, with his full, legal name, that should be a hell of a lot easier.”
“You up for a late night?” Ransom asked.
If that late night got us closer to figuring out where Lenard Conner Luther was, then I was all for it. “I’m in, brother.”
Greta
“I’M HEADING OUT, GRETA.”
I skimmed my hand over the cooling water and sighed. “Later, Easy,” I called.
And that meant Bear was home.
Finally.
My special shark-coochie board Meg had made was still sitting in the fridge, still wrapped in the saran wrap, right alongside the six-pack of beer I had bought.
It was half past nine, and I was floating in the tub half-drunk off seven wine coolers with a chunk of cheese next to me.
Bear had absolutely no idea that I had planned dinner for us, so I had no right to be mad at him, but I was. Well, not exactly mad. Just sort of...bummed?
He had texted me about three hours ago to let me know he was working late, but that was it.
“Mama?” Bear called through the door.
“I’m just marinating,” I called.
His low chuckle sounded through the door. “You need anything?”
That was a loaded question. “I’m good.” That was me, always good, even when I wasn’t.
He waited a beat. “I’m gonna come in.”
I lifted my head. “Uh, why?” I gripped the side of the tub and sat up. “I’m naked.”
The door handle twisted, and Bear walked in with his hand over his eyes. “I’m not looking.” He walked two more steps right into the vanity.
“I can tell,” I giggled. “Why are you in here?”
He turned slowly until his back was to the vanity, and he leaned against it. “I haven’t seen you all day.”
“And you’re still not seeing me with your hand over your eyes.”
“You’re naked,” he replied simply.
“Well, I am taking a bath. It’s the best way to get clean.”
“Touché.”
I reclined and rested my head against the back of the tub. “You can open your eyes. I have enough bubbles in here to cover me.” I gathered the ones around the tub's edges and moved them to cover my chest. “All covered.”
Bear slowly lifted his hand from his eyes but kept them closed.
“Bear,” I laughed. “If you’re insisting on being in here, then you’re going to have to open your eyes.” Seeing this big, hulking man scared to open his eyes was pretty damn funny. “Have you never seen a naked woman before?”
Bear chuckled and opened his eyes. “I’ve seen a Playboy or two, mama.” He looked straight ahead and folded his arms over his chest.
I trailed my fingers over the water and pursed my lips. “Are you going to look at me?” I whispered.
He shook his head. “I came in here to make sure you were all right. Easy said you were in a mood.”
“Oh, Easy,” I laughed. “He would say I was in a mood, but I’m actually surprised that he even noticed since all he did was watch TV.” Of course, he would tell Bear I was in a mood. I was going to punch him in the nuts the next time I saw him.
“How was your day?”
My day. Where to start? “Well, we went to the grocery store. We now have more than condiments to eat.”
“That’s always a good thing, though I was prepared to show you how to make ketchup soup tonight.”
I wrinkled my nose. “At ten o’clock at night?” I drawled.
Bear turned his head, and his eyes connected with mine. “I think we just landed on that mood that Easy told me about.”
“I don’t have a mood,” I insisted. My tone said the exact opposite. A good actress I was not.
“What’s going on in your head, mama?”