by Jenny Devall
Both had smiles on their faces. Riley smiled back, liking that they were getting along well.
Of course, she was probably going to lose her friend, but she was happy to see Joan happy. Even if Riley herself didn’t want the same things as Joan, she wanted the woman to get her life wishes.
Looked like Kent might be it.
Now to business.
“We have an hour to figure this out before we need to get on the road,” Riley said.
Her two companions turned serious.
“I’m meeting him at another coffee shop.”
“You’re sure this is a man?” Kent said.
“I’m going with it being a man. It could be a woman,” Riley said.
The two sat. Riley showed them a Google Earth photo of the area. “This isn’t a bad neighborhood. It’s the middle of the day. I can’t see what can go wrong.”
“Where do I fit in?” Joan said.
“I’m not sure. I’m hoping Kent can help us with logistics.”
She turned to him.
“I don’t want Joan involved if this is dangerous.”
Already? He was protecting her. Nice.
“I don’t think it will be. The person assured me that he had nothing to do with my attack. My instincts tell me that it had nothing to do with this case, but I don’t want to risk anyone’s life.”
“Good. Now, we’ll go together. Of course parking will be crappy, but I can get us a driver who is a whiz at getting around Manhattan,” Kent said.
“On short notice?”
“He’s my brother, and he’s between jobs at the moment.”
Riley nodded, glad that Kent wasn’t giving her a hard time.
“Okay. Then we’re set?” Riley said.
“I’m not sure what my role is?” Joan said.
“To stay here,” Kent said.
Joan crossed her arms. “I’m here. I’m part of this. I’ll sit at another table, but I’m not staying here.”
He frowned. “I’m not happy about this.”
“We had one date, Kent. You don’t get to tell me what to do. Ever,” Joan said.
The frown didn’t leave his face. “Something odd happens, you leave. You go find the car and stay there,” he said.
Joan’s gaze didn’t waver. “Maybe.”
Kent’s eyes fell closed, and a sigh escaped his lips. “Fine.”
“Can we go now?” Riley said. “I want to get this done. I’d like to make some headway on this case.”
Kent nodded then called his brother.
Riley snagged Joan’s arm and dragged her out into the living room. “How’d your date go?”
“Really well. We’re seeing each other again tomorrow night.”
“Good.”
“Not impressed with that Neanderthal behavior,” Joan said.
Riley understood. They’d both been on their own for a while and had made many life decisions without a man. Riley would bristle if Dirk started sticking his nose into all of her life. He’d kept himself to her business life. That was fine. That meant she’d easily extricate herself from the situation when the job finished.
But did she want to?
Her head had one answer. Her heart had another. She wasn’t one to follow her heart. She was a scientist who relied on facts and figures and reality. Dirk wasn’t going to marry her. No matter what she felt for him.
He didn’t feel the same way, and that was okay. She had to get her job done and move on. The sooner she did that, the less broken her heart would be. Berating herself for feeling anything for Dirk would not help anyone.
She felt something. Her heart would break. No need to dwell on it.
“I can understand that, but it means he sees something in you that he wants to keep safe,” Riley said.
“We aren’t damsels in distress,” Joan said.
“No, we aren’t. Dirk once said that he doesn’t open the door for me because I can’t, he does it because he wants to.”
Joan shrugged. Kent finished his conversation and found them.
“He’ll be here in ten minutes.” He turned to Joan. “I can’t talk you out of this?”
“No.”
He pressed his lips together. “Okay.”
“We ready?” Riley said.
“Yes.”
“Anything we should bring?” she said.
“I don’t have your cell number, Riley,” Kent said.
She gave it to him as he typed it into his phone. She had his, and clearly he had Joan’s. He rattled off his brother’s number.
“If anything goes down, anything at all, or if you don’t feel safe, get out. Call my brother Sid and get to him,” Kent said.
He looked at both of them pointedly.
“We understand,” Riley said.
She was anxious to get there. Her nerves were beginning to bug her, but she wasn’t backing down. She was brave, but not dumb, and she wanted to end this job before her heart would break permanently.
***
Dirk looked out the window to see a really beautiful day. Marcia put some papers on his desk.
“I used to rarely see you look out the window, boss,” Marcia said.
“I know.”
“I think Riley is getting you to see things differently in life.”
The idea chafed at him. Riley had gotten so far under his skin, it would hurt when she was gone. “I guess.”
Marcia laughed. “Wasn’t sure it would happen to you.”
“What?”
“Falling in love.”
Love? No way. Riley challenged him. That’s why she was always on his mind. “I don’t think so.”
“I bet that you were just thinking about knocking off early and taking Riley out for lunch. Maybe even a picnic.”
He had been. “Am I that transparent?”
“Yes, you are.”
Marcia chuckled.
She leaned against his desk, taking in the view with him.
“Or one of those outdoor restaurants. There’s no rain in the forecast,” Marcia said.
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“It is easier to get work done when you are actually working. Or if you’re gone.”
He eyed her. “Really? Has this always been?”
“No, just since Riley’s in your life. She’s been good for you. Got you out of your comfort zone.”
Had she? He’d never watched movies before this. He was always working. Always chasing the better client. The better employee. Now he’d built an empire. Should he stop and enjoy himself?
Would someone get ahead of him if he did? Probably not. He was too far out in front of this race.
That clinched it. One half-day was not going to put him behind. He stood. “I’m going out to lunch with Riley.”
Marcia smiled. “You need to tell her how you feel.”
“I don’t think I feel that way, Marcia.”
She shook her head as he grabbed his suit jacket, then left. He was about to dial Riley’s number when he decided to surprise her. He hopped in his car.
“You’re chipper, Mr. Trent,” he said.
“When was the last time you remember me taking a half day?” Dirk said
“I can’t ever, sir. Home?”
“Yes. And take the rest of the day off.”
“Really? Thanks.”
“Yep. I’ll drive myself if I go anywhere, though I suspect we’ll walk.”
He leaned back in the seat, and watched the buildings go by. Not much scenery, but he never really looked at it.
His driver pulled into his building ten minutes later. Traffic was much lighter, so the trip had taken so little time. He waved goodbye to his driver, then rode the elevator up this penthouse. As soon as he opened the door, he knew no one was there.
Where had they gone? At least Riley had gone with her bodyguard. He didn’t want her to be irresponsible.
He changed into more casual clothes. They hadn’t returned. He called Riley’s cell. She didn’t ans
wer. It didn’t go right to voicemail, so her phone was on. Briefly, he thought about looking up where her phone was located, but he decided to trust her. That would be intrusive, and she hadn’t tried to go anywhere by herself.
Instead, he called Kent, who put him right to voicemail. “Does he forget who is paying his salary?”
He called again. This time Kent answered. “Mr. Trent. We’re about to meet this person.”
“What person?”
“The person who is going to give Riley some information for the case she is doing for you.”
What the hell? “Did you clear this with me?”
“Uh, Riley said she ran it by you.”
“She mentioned it, but I never approved this field trip.”
“I was under the impression that you knew about it.”
“Where are you?”
He gave Dirk the address. “Stay put.”
“We’re about to make contact.”
“No, in fact. Leave. Don’t make contact. I don’t want Riley in any danger.”
“She’s perfectly safe. I wouldn’t have done this if I’d thought there was danger. That is my job, Mr. Trent.”
“Just get out of there,” Dirk said.
He jammed his finger to disconnect the call. Damn that Riley. She’d hoodwinked Kent. She’d convinced him to take her out for this meeting. What were they thinking? Then he remembered that he’d given his driver the rest of the day off.
He had a backup car service, so he called them. A car arrived fifteen minutes later. He would pick up Riley and bring her home. What was he going to do? She’d pissed him off. He’d have to fire Kent, but he couldn’t do that until he found another bodyguard.
That woman was going to give him a heart attack.
He dialed her number again. She still didn’t answer. Now he was really pissed. What was happening? He wouldn’t be satisfied until he heard her voice. To get her off of this job, he was going to have to fire her company. He wasn’t happy, but would that get her fired?
He hoped not, but he was out of ideas to keep Riley safe. She refused to back down on this case, and she was going to get hurt again. He couldn’t handle that again.
This was why he didn’t want to be in love with anyone. This pain in his chest that increased with every red light they encountered. Kent hadn’t called him back to confirm that the meeting had been aborted.
No one was listening to him.
Not even the driver, who didn’t take the route that Dirk had suggested. Now they sat in traffic, and who knew what was happening to Riley. He hoped he hadn’t been too late. Or he wouldn’t be too late.
Finding this problem in his company was not worth anyone’s life. It certainly wasn’t worth Riley’s life.
He’d have to implement Marcia’s plan and see what happened. They could flush out this person another way. He should have made that clear to Riley. He should have insisted that she was off the case.
He’d been blinded, and now she was going to get hurt again. It would be his fault.
Chapter Eight
Kent texted Riley that Dirk wanted them to abort the meeting. She texted back her guard, who only sat a few feet from her. Joan sat behind her. “He’s almost here. Let’s just meet him.”
At this point, she was too close. She could feel it in her bones that this would be break in the case. Maybe not a final break, but she would have a better idea of whom to target and investigate.
This cloak and dagger stuff was getting old. She wanted to get back in front of a computer. People were difficult. Computers were either ones or zeros. Simple. And these affairs were getting messy.
Dirk. Damn him. This would be over soon, and she had feelings for him. This meeting was the key to finally ending this case before her heart ended up shattered.
A familiar face looked in the coffee shop. Zeke. So those e-mails had come from him. She didn’t wave, but nodded at him.
He pulled out his phone, indicating he had to take the call. Frustration reigned. She didn’t want to wait any longer. To have him right there. She hoped he had information. Her cover was blown otherwise. Zeke clearly hadn’t known until now that she wasn’t really Dirk’s girlfriend.
Hopefully he’d keep his mouth shut. Of course he would.
Then time seemed to slow. He tucked his phone back in his pocket, then turned to look at her. Someone bumped into him. His face lost its smile. Went slack as he bounced off of the person. She could see blood.
Kent was on his feet. Barking orders. She didn’t hear him. She was already on her feet, heading to Zeke. Maybe he’d be conscious. The person who had run into him disappeared. She didn’t get a good look, so she wouldn’t be able to identify him.
Her attention stayed on Zeke, who landed on the ground as if he were a rag doll.
“Riley,” Kent said, but she ignored him.
The person was already gone. Zeke was bleeding on the sidewalk. Someone stood over him, talking into a cell phone. Sounded like that bystander was calling for an ambulance.
Riley knelt down. Zeke’s eyes were glazed and blood was pooling below him. Dammit. He wasn’t able to speak.
“Zeke,” she said.
Then strong hands grabbed her from behind. She was about to swing when she realized it was Trent. Joan was directly behind him.
The car they’d come here in came to a screeching halt in front of her. Kent shoved her into the back seat, while Joan hopped in the front. The driver took off without speaking to either of them.
Riley looked out the back window. A crowd had gathered around Zeke. Kent stood over him.
“Damn.”
“You okay, Ri?” Joan said.
“Yeah, just pissed that we weren’t able to get the information.”
“What happened?”
“I think he was stabbed. He must have been followed.” She turned back to Joan. “I’m getting the impression that this is the craziest corporate espionage we’ve ever been involved in.”
Part of her thought she was in over her head, but she wasn’t admitting that yet. She’d figure this out.
“Did you hear Kent curse when you flew out of the coffee shop?” Joan said.
“No, I didn’t. I was paying attention to Zeke. Oh, crap. I have to tell Dirk. Zeke’s his best friend.”
The drive spoke up. He’d made a few turns at this point and was about to enter a parking garage. “Kent already did.”
“Oh, okay.”
He driver took them up a few levels then parked. “We’re waiting here until the situation is under control. You’ll have to talk to the cops.”
“I didn’t get a good look at the man,” Riley said.
“I didn’t either. I was trying to figure out who you were looking at,” Joan said.
Riley pulled out her phone. Dirk had called a few times. He hadn’t left messages, which meant he was pissed. He knew what happened and knew she was safe at this point. Nothing she could say would make a difference.
She called anyway.
“Hi, Dirk.”
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
She took a deep breath. He was pissed, and maybe he had a right to be. Or maybe he didn’t. They’d made no promises to each other. “I’m trying to figure out the leak in your company. Remember? What you hired me for?”
“I didn’t clear that action. And now somehow Zeke is involved and on his way to the hospital? What is going on?”
“Dirk, look. He must have been followed. He must have important information. That’s why I wanted to meet him. I didn’t sneak out. I didn’t leave Kent behind. We had it under control.”
“So much control that my best friend is on his way to the hospital.”
She wasn’t going to calm him down. He wasn’t going to see her side of this. “I still have to make my statement to the police. I can meet you at the hospital. We can talk there.”
“Maybe.”
He disconnected. Her eyes dropped closed. This was not going to be easy to fix.<
br />
“He’s mad?” Joan said.
“That would be an understatement.”
The driver’s phone rang. He answered then hung up with only a monosyllabic sound. “The cops are ready for you.”
“Okay. Let’s do this. Then I want to get to the hospital Zeke is in. I want to be there when he wakes up. I want to see if I can talk to him.”
“He must know something, right? Someone wanted to silence him,” Joan said.
“And my cover is blown with him. He knows that I’m working and not really Dirk’s girlfriend.”
Joan snorted. “You think you aren’t Dirk’s girlfriend? You keep thinking that, honey.”
“I’m not, Joan. This will be over with the case.”
She snorted again, but didn’t say anything.
***
Dirk calmed down and realized he wanted to see Riley. Needed to see Riley, to make sure she was okay. He had to see for himself. Touch her. Hold her.
What the fuck was his problem? She wasn’t his girlfriend, but he felt protective of her. Should he resist?
No. He had to see her. He could get mad at her when he knew she was safe. He wouldn’t know she was safe until he knew with his own eyes.
As his driver took him to the police station, Dirk pondered what role Zeke had in all this. Why had Zeke been meeting with Riley? What information did he have, and why didn’t he give it to Dirk? When had he figured out Riley wasn’t his girlfriend?
This case had become more complicated as time went on. He’d figured it was someone disgruntled with him, and he’d have put odds that it was Chad. Where did Zeke fit into this? What did Zeke know?
Dirk sighed, wishing this trip would take less time. He wanted to see Riley. He wanted answers also. This was his company they were tampering with. His livelihood. Damn them. He’d built this company.
He could build another one, but he didn’t want to. Being with Riley had reminded him that there was more to life than working. That lots of people did other things besides work. And maybe he could, too.
Riley had hobbled into his life on red pumps and turned it all upside down. For the first time in his life, he felt out of control. He didn’t have a plan for what was next. He didn’t know he needed a plan for what was next.
