His Brother's Bride

She believed that. “But work isn’t enough.”

“It is for me.”

“There’s more to life than work!” That had been a hard lesson for her to learn, but she’d mastered it almost two years ago.

He didn’t answer her.

What was going on here?

“So you’re telling me that when Paul died you gave up every interest you’d ever had?”

“Maybe.”

“Why?”

“I guess I didn’t notice.”

“Bullshit.”

He shot her a sharp glance. “I’m not the first man to bury myself in work and get comfortable there.”

Probably not. So why did she have a very strong feeling that there was more to his withdrawal than a man forgetting to come up for air?

“I’m a detective now, Laurel.” He spoke with confidence. “More times than not, I’m helping to save lives. It’s hard not to let that take priority.”

She studied him, wishing she could see inside his mind—or better, his heart. “You’re sure that’s all it is?”

“I’m sure.”

She might have let him convince her—if he’d only looked her in the eye when he’d lied to her.

* * *

THEY STOPPED ONCE for gas, about halfway between Worcester and Cooper’s Corner. As much as she needed some time away from Scott, time to collect her thoughts, to remember who she was, and who she wasn’t, Laurel was sad that their trip was almost at an end. After several days in Scott’s company, she wasn’t looking forward to going their separate ways that afternoon.

And because of that, she couldn’t get away from him fast enough.

Scott’s cell phone rang just as they were pulling back onto the highway. As she listened to the one-sided conversation, Laurel’s adrenaline pumped quickly, making it hard for her to sit still. She couldn’t wait for him to hang up and explain his hard-hitting “How much?” followed by “You’re sure?”

“More than a million dollars has been transferred from Cecilia’s accounts,” he said as soon as she clicked off the phone. “An electronic transfer first thing Sunday morning.”

He changed lanes, allowing a speeding Mustang to pass them.

“That’s three days ago.”

“The day after she and William first went missing.”

“He was blackmailing her, then.”

“It looks that way.”

Laurel was surprised at the depth of the disappointment that shot through her. She’d really been hoping that they’d been wrong about the older gentleman.

“Did she turn it into cash?”

Scott shook his head. “It was a straight transfer, but I don’t know where it was transferred to. My source wouldn’t give me that much. He could lose his job for telling me

as much as he did.”