Calculated Risk (Blackbridge Security 5)

“You tried to get me interested in Jude.”

Her eyes dart across the room. “Who?”

“His friend?” She gives her head another slight shake, but I get a feeling she remembers exactly who I’m talking about. The question is why is she acting as if she doesn’t? “The shy guy from the bar that came that night with Quinten.”

“If you say so. I never really wanted to date him. The man is too serious for me. I wanted you to realize you liked him.”

“There’s a difference between finding someone attractive and liking them.”

“Don’t I know it,” she mutters.

“You know I’m here if you need to talk about anything, right?”

She gives me a smile. “Things are going very well in my life. I’ve been more worried about you after the break-in than anything else.”

Way to drag down the mood.

“Things are okay. I’m sleeping a little better with the new alarm system.”

“That’s good. Are you—”

Her phone chimes with a text, but she stiffens instead of picking it up.

“Aren’t you going to get that?”

“Naw. Nothing important.”

“You sure?” Just to test her, I reach for the phone on the coffee table, and like the guilty person she is, she snatches it up before I can activate the screen.

“It’s umm—Yep. I’ve got to go.”

“To work?”

“Duty calls.”

“It’s Saturday.”

“No rest for the weary.”

“You don’t work on Saturdays,” I remind her.

“This is a different project.”

“Clearly.”

She lifts her wine glass to her lips before draining it.

“Are you sure you’re okay to drive?”

“Only had one glass, Mother. I’ll be fine.”

“And your boss is okay with you working after consuming alcohol?”

She grins but doesn’t answer. She knows I’m on to her.

“See you later!” She waves her hand over her head as she walks out of my house.

I follow immediately, locking the door and turning the alarm system on. I have to tap the screen twice before the thing lights up. Maybe there is a problem with the system that will require Quinten to come over here and look at it.

My phone chirps the activation notice from the kitchen counter, and although I don’t feel a hundred percent safe, I didn’t lie to Parker when I told her things were better. What I didn’t explain is that I’ve spent so much time obsessing over that kiss and working through fantasies that some nights I forget to be scared.

I wonder how long it will be before the memories of him fade completely.

Chapter 19

Quinten

“You’re welcome, Mrs. Humphrey. Thank you for following our advice.” I drop the phone back into the cradle and look at Deacon who entered my office while I was on the phone with a client.

“Another happy customer?”

“Always. What’s up?” He shrugs. “It’s Monday evening. Shouldn’t you be home with your very pregnant wife rubbing her feet or building baby furniture?”

“I’ll have you know the nursery is completely done, and Anna is with her mother this evening.”

“And how much longer does she have?”

“Two months. Well, just a little over two months.”

I smile. He doesn’t have to tell me something is off. I can feel it swarming around us in the room.

“How long are we going to make small talk before you actually get around to telling me what you came in here to say?”

He gives me a wry smile. “Have plans tonight?”

“Deacon. Come on.” I rub both hands over my face feeling tired and antsy all at the same time.

“The class went well. Thirteen graduates, and seven of them signed up for the next level class, Adam said.”

I guess that’s not bad—thirteen graduates from a class of fifteen. Parker Maxwell, Hayden’s friend, missed too many classes, and Gayle—I don’t even want to think about her, but I get a sinking feeling that she’s the reason he’s here.

“Just tell me.”

“Gayle was murdered by an ex-lover. The police used all the information Wren dug up, and the man confessed within minutes of them going to his house.”

“They caught him. That’s good news.”

“They can’t find any DNA on her body though, and his confession was made while he was stoned out of his mind. They’re not sure it will stick because he recanted once he was sober.”

“They wear body cams, so they have it recorded.”

“He also confessed to being Hitler and being in a long-term relationship with Bella from Twilight.”

“Shit,” I grumble.

“Yeah. So, we’ll just have to wait and see. I know you and Wren were looking for Gayle when she went missing, but do you have concerns for any of the other women from the class?”

I look at him unblinking, wondering what I should say.

“Not concerns,” I say eventually.

“Okay. Maybe elaborate?”

“I like one of the women that completed the class.” He stays silent, waiting me out so I’ll speak again. “Hayden Prescott.”

“The one you kicked out of class?”

I clench my jaw. “I didn’t kick her—you know what, semantics. I’ve spent a little time with her outside of class.”