He heard the note of bitterness in her voice. “It seems like your father succeeded in achieving some of those dreams. From what I understand, he’s quite famous now.”
“Yes, because he created a male self-help bestseller called Meat, Sex, Sports—A Man’s Guide to Happiness.”
“That’s all it takes, huh?”
“Men are apparently fairly simple creatures,” she said dryly.
“And that book sold well?”
“Over five million copies. It also spawned a series of webinars and motivational talks, first for men, then spreading into the general public how to find happiness, peace, and success. My father has since written three other books on variations of that theme.” She took a sip of her water. “I’m happy that he found the success he wanted; I’m just not that impressed with his work. I’m an academic. I like substance, and my dad is all style and talk and not a lot else. He changes with the wind. You never really know who you’re going to get when he shows up.” She sighed. “I don’t know why we’re talking about him.”
“How do you feel about your father’s relationship with Whitney?”
“I hate it, but I can’t do anything about it.”
“Did you introduce them?”
“Yes, of course. He came to have lunch with me, and the next thing I know, we’re up in the executive suite. Now he has become entrenched with the Tremaines. He bought a big house in Calabasas, and Whitney moved in with him. I’m really afraid he’s going to mess things up for me. I know that sounds selfish, but I like my job, and I care a lot about the Tremaines. As Hamilton told you, he and I are kindred spirits when it comes to our interest in space.”
“What do you think about the upcoming launch on Tuesday? Is the satellite ready to defend itself? Or is Hamilton rushing under the pressure of his rivals?”
“I honestly don’t know. He could be pushing too hard. But that’s understandable since there are several companies hot on our heels. Do you have any idea how much activity on Earth is controlled and aided by satellites?”
“I’ve been getting a crash course on that subject the past month,” he said. “Hamilton likes to talk.”
“That he does—to anyone who will listen. Space is the new frontier; it’s the next battleground, Wyatt. Being able to defend our satellites is going to be hugely important. And being able to take down other weaponized satellites, missiles, rockets, etc., without creating space debris will also be a significant advancement.” She smiled. “But the general public is not as interested in the satellite as they are in the idea of Hamilton getting in the Star Gazer rocket ship one day and making a trip to Mars with some of his best friends. That’s the story that captures the imagination.”
“He tells me that could happen within the next five years. Do you agree?”
“We’re getting closer to the possibility of interplanetary travel. But five years is overly optimistic. I’d say fifteen is a better guess, but who knows?”
“Would you go to Mars?” he asked curiously.
“Get in a rocket and soar into the universe? I wish I could say yes,” she said with a yearning sigh. “I would love to be part of that, but I don’t have the guts.”
“Not even to see what you’ve spent your whole life learning about?”
“Big old coward,” she admitted. “I wish I wasn’t. I wish I was brave.”
“You were brave this morning.”
“No, that’s not true. I froze. I didn’t even try to help you when you were fighting with that man. I could have gone for the gun. I just stood there—paralyzed. I was lucky he didn’t go after me when he hit you with that drawer.”
“I should have seen that coming,” he said with a frown. “But don’t sell yourself short. You stood up to danger, and you’ve held it together since then.”
“Barely, but I probably shouldn’t admit that. I have a feeling an adrenaline crash is coming my way soon. You might want to get ready for that.”
He smiled at her endearing self-deprecation. “I will buckle up.”
“I just want answers, Wyatt. I want to know why Noelle is dead. I want to make sure someone pays for killing her. And while I understand why Hamilton wants to protect the company, Nova Star’s work is not more important than Noelle’s life. I hope you’re really trying to get to the truth and not cover it up.”
“That is what I’m trying to do,” he reassured her.
She didn’t look entirely convinced. “But your loyalty is to Hamilton.”
“Not at the expense of someone’s life.” He paused, thinking that he needed to give her a bit more information in order to get her to trust him. “I’ll let you in on a little secret; Hamilton doesn’t just want to protect his company, he’s also worried about his son, Jonathan.”
“Jonathan?” she echoed. “What does he have to do with any of this?”
“Jonathan had a drink with Noelle three nights ago at Steamers, a bar in the Pelican Point Hotel in Palos Verdes.”
“What?” she asked in surprise. “How do you know that?”
“I saw them.”
“You saw them together—just by chance?”
He ignored that question, going for one of his own. “Do you think Noelle and Jonathan could have been having an affair?”
“Jonathan is married, and Noelle has a boyfriend. I didn’t think they even knew each other. Are you sure it was her?”
“I am sure. It doesn’t seem like they would have business to discuss since they don’t work together.”
“No, they don’t.” She gave him an unhappy look. “What happened after this drink? Did they stay at the hotel?”
“They left in separate cars.”
“And you saw that, too? Were you following Noelle? Or Jonathan?”
“That’s not a question I can answer.”
“Why not?”
“Because it involves other issues at Nova Star I’m not cleared to speak about.”
“If those issues have to do with Noelle’s death—”
“I don’t know that they do,” he said quickly.
“But they might.” She pressed her fingers to her temples. “I’m getting a headache.”
“I realize this is tough, Avery. You don’t know me, and I’m asking you a lot of questions, but I am trying to help. Did Noelle ever say anything about Jonathan to you?”
She lifted her gaze to his. “She said he was attractive and funny. She admired him from afar. But that’s true of a lot of the women at Nova Star. Jonathan is personable and friendly. Everyone likes him.”
“Okay. But somehow Noelle, who was a Level 1 admin got close enough to the owner’s son to have a drink with him. How do you think that happened?”
“I don’t know, but Noelle’s job or educational level has never deterred her from getting a date. She has always been very attractive to men. Trust me, I went to enough bars with her to know that when she was in the room, it was like there was a spotlight on her. Men were drawn to her, and she didn’t even have to say a word. She just had this gleam in her eyes, this secret smile, that everyone wanted to explore.”
There wasn’t any jealousy in Avery’s tone, but he couldn’t help wondering what it would have felt like for Avery to have a friend who was always in the sun, while she was in the shadows. Although, maybe Avery had preferred that. Despite her proficiency at her job and her ability to speak to hundreds of people in a group, there was an innate sense of shyness about her, as if stepping into the light was no more in her comfort zone than going to Mars.
“I’m sure Jonathan just ran into her somewhere at the company,” Avery continued. “Maybe she told him she needed career advice or something. Or maybe he hit on her. I don’t know.”
“Would she go out with a married man?”
Avery hesitated. “She wasn’t a slut, Wyatt, but she did like men, and she didn’t consider sex to be that big of a deal.”
“I’m going to take that as a yes.”
She let out a heavy sigh. “Even if they were havin
g an affair, what does that mean?” She paused. “Are you suggesting that Jonathan Tremaine could have something to do with this?”
“I don’t know. I’m looking for a motive. This wasn’t random. Someone wanted to kill Noelle.”
“If she was having an affair, Jonathan could have been afraid she’d tell his wife,” Avery said slowly.
“That’s one scenario,” he said, happy to let her throw out her theories first.
“Or her boyfriend could have found out she was cheating on him. But Carter doesn’t seem the angry type, and the person who killed Noelle…” She shook her head, biting down on her lip whatever she was remembering. “It was violent, Wyatt. It was personal. It felt like Noelle had betrayed someone.” She took a breath. “But if she and Jonathan weren’t personally involved, then their meeting had to have been about something else. You were following Jonathan for a reason that you don’t care to explain, so Noelle’s death might not have anything to do with an affair.” She rolled her head around her shoulders. “I feel like we’re going in circles. Nothing makes sense.”
“Not yet. But one thing is clear to me, and it should be clear to you. You’re in the middle of a very dangerous situation. You can identify the man in the apartment this morning. You were with Noelle last night. You heard her dying words.” He paused, seeing her face pale. “I know you’re a smart woman. You understand what I’m saying.”
“Yes, I do.”
Avery’s phone buzzed, and she jumped. As she looked at the number, the lines of tension around her eyes deepened. “It’s Noelle’s mom. I have to take this.”
He nodded. “Of course. But I’m not leaving you alone in this apartment, so I’ll be here.”
Avery didn’t reply as she took the phone with her into the bedroom. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Price,” she said, and then she closed the door.
Wyatt let out a breath, hoping he’d played his cards correctly. He usually didn’t share information, but Avery was sharp, and she was in danger, and his gut told him that the only way to gain her trust was to bring her into the problem—at least part of the problem.
Feeling restless, he got up and paced around the living room. The book Avery had taken out of Noelle’s apartment was on the coffee table. He picked it up, wondering if it was a clue. He read the inscription again, remembering what Avery had said earlier—that Noelle had dictated the words to her.
He’d never spoken to Noelle, but Avery’s deep affection for the woman had brought her alive in a way he had never expected. Even though his heart had iced over years ago, he felt a pang of sadness that such a bright woman was gone. He would find out who had killed her. He didn’t know if Avery would like the answer or if Noelle’s activities might hurt the people who loved her, but at least they’d get to the truth.
Flipping through the pages of the book, he wondered if by some small chance Noelle had jotted something down inside the book, but it was pristine. Nothing appeared altered in any way.
Taking a seat on the couch, he read through the introduction and then into the first few chapters. The book was for kids, but Avery had not dumbed anything down. Her passion for science and space rang through on every page, and he could only imagine how many children would be inspired to go into astrophysics or become astronauts after reading her story.
A few minutes later, he heard the shower go on. Avery must have finished her call. Maybe when she was done freshening up, he could encourage her to pack a bag and find another place to stay.
She’d probably fight him on that. She might think she was a coward, but when he looked at her, he saw a strong, capable, beautiful woman with a really big heart.
He would have liked to have met her away from the job. But that would have never happened. He was almost always on assignment, living a life that was not his own. That’s why he rarely had relationships with women. He had nights, sometimes the occasional weekend. But no one ever really knew the real him, and he never really knew them. It had worked well for the most part. But every now and then…
He shrugged off that wayward thought and tried not to think about Avery’s beautiful curves under a spray of hot water.
Thankfully, his phone rang, and he was relieved by the distraction. When he saw Hamilton Tremaine’s private number flash across his screen, he got his head back in the game.
“Tanner,” he said briskly.
“How is Avery?” Hamilton asked, genuine concern in his voice. “I was just informed by Special Agent Davis at the FBI that she was attacked this morning at Ms. Price’s apartment. Why didn’t you call me, Wyatt?”
“I haven’t had a second. Avery is fine. Unfortunately, the person involved got away. What else did Agent Davis have to say?”
“That the FBI is taking over the case because of Ms. Price’s employment at my company and the other incidents we’ve previously discussed. I don’t see how this woman could have been involved in any kind of sabotage or theft. From what I understand, her job was barely more than an administrative clerk. She didn’t have access to anything, and she only worked for us for a few months. In fact, I suspect, based on the resume I read, that she was only hired because of Avery’s influence. Unless…there’s something I don’t know?”
“I’m just beginning to dig into Ms. Price’s life. She did have a boyfriend at the company—Carter Hayes.”
“Yes. Mr. Hayes is a junior attorney in the patent department. Have you spoken to him?”
“Not yet. I’m most concerned about Avery right now. She can identify the man who almost shot her this morning, and I’m worried about her safety.”
“So am I,” Hamilton said with alarm. “You need to stay with her. I don’t want anything to happen to Avery. She’s very important to me. She’s not just an employee; she’s practically family.”
“I understand. And I intend to keep a close eye on her.”
“Good. Keep me updated. I want to know anything and everything as soon as you know it. I don’t like what’s going on. This break-in following the murder…disturbs me. Especially since you told me last night that Jonathan had a drink with Ms. Price several days ago. The FBI are going to jump on that like bees to honey, the same way they did with the death of that Chinese woman.”
“Did you ask him about his meeting with Ms. Price?”
“I haven’t been able to reach him. I’ve left several messages with his wife. But I’ll see him at dinner tomorrow night.”
“I know you’ve been reluctant to have me speak to Jonathan, but I think it’s important.”
“Not before I do,” Hamilton said firmly. “Once I hear what he has to say, we’ll discuss it.”
Hamilton was still protecting his son.
“But I know Jonathan,” Hamilton continued. “He didn’t kill that woman, whatever else he might have been doing with her. Someone is either continuing to frame him or he was just in the wrong place, wrong time. You need to find the real killer. Get the job done. I’m counting on you.”
“I will do my best,” he promised.
As he was about to put down his phone, a text appeared from Flynn MacKenzie. They rarely communicated, but apparently this was important.
There were only three words. Fire Courtyard Apartments.
A chill ran down his spine. He immediately got on the internet for more details, quickly coming across a breaking news story about a four-alarm fire at an apartment complex in Venice Beach. The entire building was engulfed in flames. Residents said it started quickly, some sort of explosion in a corner apartment.
His gut twisted. He knew exactly which apartment that was. Whatever hadn’t been found this morning was forever gone.
Avery came out of the bedroom a moment later, wearing tan jeans frayed at the hem, a pair of flats and a soft green sweater that hugged her breasts. Her long brown hair was still damp and curling at the ends, her gold-flecked brown eyes bright and beguiling, her face showing a lot more color than she’d had before. But that wasn’t going to last long.
“I’ve been thi
nking,” she said. “I know you’re worried about me, but I’ll be fine here. I’ll keep the doors locked.” She stopped abruptly as he got to his feet.
“No,” he said flatly.
“Look, I appreciate your concern, Wyatt, but I’m not involved in anything remotely classified at Nova Star. I don’t know secrets. I run shows for kids and teachers and tourists.”
“You’re not staying here, Avery.” He turned his phone around, so she could see the screen. “Look.”
“What?” she asked, taking his phone. “Is that a fire burning? Is it close by?”
“It’s in Venice Beach—an apartment building.”
“Oh, my God! Is that Noelle’s building?”
He met her suddenly terrified gaze. “Yes. Pack a bag, Avery. And do it fast.”
“Why? This doesn’t have anything to do with me. Maybe it’s all over now. Noelle is dead, and her apartment is destroyed. There’s nothing left to find.”
“Except you were there. You had a book in your hands. And they don’t know that it was just your own book autographed to your friend.”
She stared back at him, her gaze sharpening as she took in his words. “It’s possible they think I have whatever they were looking for?”
“And that’s why we’re getting you out of here. Pack for several days and bring that book.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know, but just bring it.”
Chapter Six
“Where are we going?” Avery asked twenty minutes later, as Wyatt drove away from her apartment building. She’d thrown a pile of clothes into a suitcase, without putting much thought into what she was bringing, grabbed what little cash she had stashed in her place for when the cleaners came, and then jumped into Wyatt’s car.
The fire at Noelle’s apartment building had definitely brought home to her the fact that this was not over and that she might really be in danger.
For a brief moment in the shower, she’d tried to talk herself out of that idea, rationalizing that whoever was interested in Noelle’s place was not interested in her. But with Noelle’s apartment gutted by fire and Wyatt’s reminder that she had been seen there, it made sense to get away. Although she didn’t think her book was important in any way, she’d put it in her bag at his request. Maybe they’d go through it together later.
Dangerous To Love Page 41
