by Regan Black
“Be smart!” His mother’s voice followed him out the door.
Mitch smiled as he blew past his older brother and ran for the car. Once his family got to know her, they’d understand why he refused to let the way they’d met undermine their future.
Chapter 13
The restaurant wasn’t crowded, though there were enough people to make Julia simultaneously nervous and comfortable. The people around them couldn’t all be tied to the stalker, and while it shamed her to think it, she appreciated the buffer of extra bodies. Surely the stalker wouldn’t attack where there were too many witnesses to kill.
She tried to be happy that they were both here, alive and well, but guilt swamped her. An innocent man had died, a neighbor the Galways had known for decades, because of her. She played with her silverware until Mitch reached across the table and covered her hand with his. “It will be okay. We have the sketch,” he said. “We’re closer to catching him now.”
She had her doubts, despite his confidence. When Mitch had insisted she leave the office early, she’d learned the grim news about Mr. Franklin. Reluctantly, she’d explained that the emergency meeting had lasted forty minutes and when her hour was up, she’d made the only possible choice and given the stalker one of the names Danny Falk planned on trading for his freedom. The stalker had yet to reply, but no one else had been attacked, so maybe things were going their way.
Mitch hadn’t expressed any judgement about her decision and when they’d arrived safely at his house, she’d studied the sketch, miserable that the man was a stranger to her. She wanted an ID to take to the police, even if it meant confessing that she leaked details on the case.
She turned her mind to more important factors. “Your parents and sister are safe?”
He nodded. “Jenny can telecommute for the week, so they took an impromptu vacation.”
“What about Stephen and the others?”
“Stephen is too grumpy to become a victim.”
The outrageous statement brought a smile to her face.
“Everyone else is on alert for trouble. We’ll all be fine.”
“You said that about family dinner,” she pointed out. Glum, she sipped her wine. “And now I’m ruining our date.”
“Not from where I’m sitting. Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
Only enough times that she was starting to believe it. She’d worn the little black dress she’d packed on a whim when they’d moved from her place to Mitch’s house. It was a good piece she could dress up or down for the office or for a night out. She hadn’t anticipated a hot date, but it worked for that, too.
The lightweight shawl on her shoulders was shot with silver and gold threads, and she’d chosen big gold hoops at her ears and bangles at her wrists. Black heels pulled the look together and lifted her almost to eye level with Mitch.
Her hot date. Mitch had pulled out all the stops to make what had started as a ploy into a real date. She smiled at him over the candle centerpiece, determined to show him how much she appreciated his effort.
His cell phone hummed on the tabletop and she looked at him expectantly. “Email,” he said. “From my chief.” He looked up and smiled. “My hearing is scheduled for tomorrow morning.”
Finally! “Now we really have something to celebrate,” she said. She left her chair and came around to his side of the table to give him a hug, ignoring the onlookers. “We needed good news.”
His brow furrowed. “It leaves you exposed at the office.”
“I’ll be fine.” Her mind drifted to all the ways they could celebrate, privately, once he was reinstated.
“Grant will send backup to keep an eye on you,” he said absently. “No way I’m leaving you unprotected.”
“I’ve never felt safer in my life,” she admitted. “Thank you, Mitch.” Her mood considerably lighter, she enjoyed the meal and easy conversation with a man she’d fallen in love with. She felt so light and happy she’d nearly said those three little words as they shared dessert.
No, she knew the perfect place to tell him she loved him. “Can we stop at Boathouse Row again?” she asked when they were on the way home. They’d decided not to stop in at the club so Mitch could be well rested tomorrow.
“Sure.”
She could tell his mind was working overtime. Maybe this wasn’t the best time to dump her feelings on him. She waited until they reached the overlook and were leaning against the car to enjoy the sparkling view of the white lights across the river. Reaching for his hand, she asked what was on his mind.
“I don’t know.” He brought her to stand in front of him, drawing her back to lean against his chest. “I want to believe I’ll be reinstated, but I can’t go back to work until I know you’re safe.”
“You’re suspicious of the timing?”
She felt him shrug. “He’s manipulated everything else—why not a hearing.”
“It’s possible,” she allowed. “Unlikely, but possible. Why don’t we assume the best for now?”
He shrugged again.
Julia delighted in his embrace, in spite of his somber mood. “There’s something I need to tell you,” she began.
“Do I get to hear a Julia Cooper secret?” He kissed the back of her neck. “You never did explain why the family dinner terrified you.”
“Oh.” With everything else, she’d forgotten her promise to tell him about that. It wasn’t what she wanted to share, but it might demonstrate what was in her heart more than three small words.
“What if we trade secrets?”
She nuzzled into his warmth, liking that idea. “Do I have to go first?”
“I will.” He kissed her temple. “The last time I brought a date to Sunday dinner, it was a woman I’d rescued from an office fire. It’s taboo to go out with a rescued victim. I knew better, but did it anyway.”
She twisted in his arms. “That’s a big secret?”
“It left a mark,” he admitted. “My family saw through her, but I nearly proposed before I saw the light. It’s embarrassing to know she made a fool of me.”
“That’s on her for abusing your good nature.”
He snorted in a half laugh and kissed her nose. “Julia Cooper, my champion.”
“Believe it,” she said fiercely. Oh. That made it her turn now. She kissed him quickly, just in case her secret ruined everything. “Last time I was at family dinner with a boyfriend was law school. His parents were royalty-level wealthy and they’d done a full background search on me.” She bit her lip, her gaze locked firmly on the second button of his dress shirt. “They didn’t like what they found. His mother said the most terrible things about me and the things my mother did.”
And now she’d opened herself up to share that secret, too. Well, at least she didn’t have to worry about the big “I love you” anymore. “He broke up with me and made life miserable at school for a time.”
Mitch lifted her chin and kissed her softly under the starlight, in front of Boathouse Row. “I know.”
She frowned, then remembered he’d gone digging through her law school life. There had been at least two disciplinary write-ups after that fateful dinner. “Of course you know. That terrible day is sort of why I chose criminal defense.”
“Not that, Julia. My second secret. I know about your childhood.” He held her chin when she tried to look away. “We all have scars, but you? You have so much courage it slays me.”
“Huh?” The statement was so foreign, so unexpected, any anger over his invasion of her privacy dissolved.
“Look at where you landed.” He spread his arms wide. “On courage, grit and hard work, you made yourself into this amazing, independent woman.” He brought those arms around her and held on tight.
Had anything ever felt better than his absolute acceptance? “You don’t cringe thinking about where I came from?” He shook his head. “Mitch, my mom accused a teacher of sexual assault just so he’d stop helping me get into college. She didn’t want him polluting my h
ead with more impossible dreams.”
“That’s what really set you on the defense path, isn’t it?”
“No. Maybe.” She supposed this is what she got for letting him melt her defenses with hot kisses and kindnesses.
“You have the most beautiful heart,” he murmured.
“No, I think you take that title,” she argued.
He laughed, turning her toward the sparkling lights once more. “There she is, Julia Cooper for the defense.”
*
Hours later at his house, Julia slipped out of bed once she was sure Mitch was asleep. She dragged on the first piece of clothing she found and smiled as she buttoned up the dress shirt he’d worn to dinner. His scent enveloped her, restoring her confidence that they would find a way through the nightmare created by the stalker.
They had to. Mitch knew everything about her and loved her anyway. Well, he hadn’t said it in those precise words, but she felt it in the way he touched her and made love to her. She wouldn’t relinquish that treasure without a serious fight.
Tiptoeing out to the kitchen for a bottle of water, she paused to study the sketch again, cursing the man for the terrible things he’d done. She was ready to take the picture outside and use it for target practice when her eyes locked onto the scar on his chin.
“No way.” She pulled up her computer and searched through old media reports and arrest records. When that didn’t help, she took a chance and logged into the Marburg cloud to search through old cases. Haywood wouldn’t be happy, but if it resulted in bringing a murderer to justice, she’d ask forgiveness later. Hell, Haywood could represent him and take the credit for bringing in a whale of a client.
“Hey.” Mitch joined her, covering a yawn with his fist. “What are you doing?”
“I recognized the scar.” She keyed in a search and turned the screen for him when the face popped up.
“Whoa. That’s a dead ringer.”
“I know, right? I’m an idiot for not seeing it sooner. Meet Leo Falk, Danny Falk’s older and apparently not-so-deceased brother.”
Mitch pulled her to her feet and spun her in a circle. “Way to go!” He kissed her soundly and set her back on her feet. “Now what?”
“I guess I’ll tell Grant and then take everything we know to Haywood in the morning.” She reached over and closed her laptop.
He frowned. “Let’s sleep on it.” He raked his hands through her hair. “I’d rather be with you when you start sharing.”
She was tempted to argue, but he had to be up early and fresh for his hearing. “Your protective side is showing.”
He grinned at her, placing her hands on his chest. “Do you like it?”
“I might need some convincing,” she replied, anticipation thrumming as she followed him back to bed.
*
Leo heard his window of opportunity slam shut. According to Julia, his brother had given up at least one important name in the higher echelon of the organization. He’d sent the order to eliminate her boyfriend in case she remained stubborn and called them off when the name had been confirmed with his source in the prosecutor’s office.
It was time to cut his losses and move on. Danny had brought this on himself. “Pack it up,” he ordered his computer genius. “Leave nothing behind.”
“Sir, we have a problem.”
K-Chase was swiveling the desk chair from side to side. It must be serious. “So fix it.”
“I’m not sure I can.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“Cooper’s computer just searched through your old case file on the Marburg cloud.”
“Meaning what?” he bit out each syllable.
“I think she’s managed to identify you.”
“That’s impossible.” He came closer, livid when he realized the kid was right. “Okay.” He walked away, thought it through, reviewing a short list of lousy options. “Here’s what I need you to do.” He outlined his plan, tweaking it as the genius made technical suggestions.
If he hoped to escape the authorities and maintain his influence and operations on the East Coast, he had to take immediate action. Of all the people available, he couldn’t believe his future was riding on the skinny shoulders of this sun-deprived kid.
“Fair warning, kid. Fail me or try a double-cross, and you’ll die, too.”
“Yes, sir.” K-Chase started hammering at his keyboard.
Chapter 14
This was his day, Julia thought, giving Mitch a kiss when he dropped her off early at Marburg’s side door. He’d be reinstated by noon and she couldn’t wait to send him off to his first shift back on the job he loved.
Unfortunately, she still had no response from the stalker, and no control of her finances. Thanks to the confidence and support of Mitch, and Grant by extension, she was done playing games. By noon, she would have her timeline ready and her arguments prepared to expose Leo Falk’s most recent crimes to Haywood.
Julia said good-morning to Bethany as she breezed by the desk, slowing down when she saw Bethany’s frightened expression. “Mr. Haywood called for you.”
Julia glanced at her watch. Of course her boss would come in early today. She forced her lips into a smile. “Great.” No one needed to know that the summons sounded like a death knell in her ears. “I’ll just get my notes.”
Bethany shook her head. “He said you’re to go straight to his office. Only to his office.” She jerked a thumb over her shoulder. “He sent an escort.”
“I see.” Julia noticed the security guard standing between her and the primary access to the cubicles. He wasn’t part of the typical security team of white-haired men with blazers and rounded shoulders. This man was bigger, younger and armed with more than a stern smile. “Have a nice day, Bethany.”
Julia turned on her heel and aimed for the elevator. The numerous possibilities for the summons and the guard cartwheeled through her mind, none of them good. Her phone chimed and her heart skipped, though it was far too soon for news from Mitch. Just anticipating his sexy smile and the celebratory kisses in her future helped settle her nerves.
She waited to check until she had a moment’s privacy in the elevator, then wished she hadn’t. The message iced the blood in her veins and sent the elevator car into a slow spin.
Thanks for all your help, Julia.
What in the hell had Falk done now? She didn’t have time to respond or forward the message as the elevator doors parted and the guard urged her out.
She pocketed her phone and rolled her shoulders back, determined to handle with dignity whatever Haywood had to say.
Haywood didn’t even stand as she was shown in and the office door closed behind her. On reflex, Julia’s gaze swept the view outside his office windows. She didn’t see anything, didn’t expect to. A master criminal like Leo Falk wasn’t dumb enough to stand on a nearby rooftop in a bright orange ball cap so she could point out the root of her recent trouble.
“Good morning, Mr. Haywood.”
“Oh, no, it isn’t,” Haywood barked. “Sit down, Cooper.”
She obeyed, keeping her coat over her arm and her purse in her lap. As he stared at her with that unrelenting courtroom gaze, she knew she was facing the worst-case scenario.
“You’re off the Falk case,” he said suddenly, his voice full of an unarguable finality.
“Why?” He didn’t have to tell her, but she would not leave without an answer.
“Why?” Haywood repeated, incredulous. “Because you’re no longer a Marburg associate, for starters.”
“I beg your pardon?” Why would Leo put her off the case when she’d cooperated? What the hell was his end game? “You can’t be serious.”
“I am serious. You’re terminated, effective immediately. Don’t expect severance or a glowing reference. Don’t you even dare to take so much as a paper clip with you. Get out.”
“No.”
“No?” Haywood’s face turned dangerously red. “I have no qualms about hauling a crim
inal out of this building by force, regardless of gender.”
“Oh, come on.” She stopped the furious tirade dancing on the tip of her tongue. “You’ve been pleased with my work. I’d like to know on what grounds you’re terminating me. I deserve that much.”
His eyebrows plummeted into a terrifying scowl. “You deserve jail time, Cooper. Your belongings are waiting for you at the information desk. The security guard will walk you out.” He reached for his phone.
She refused to budge. “Please. This isn’t making sense.”
“We hired a cyber team to audit the Falk case,” Haywood said. “Thank God.”
Cyber team? She’d never heard of such a thing. There was no reference in the case file.
“One of Marburg’s cronies claimed the service could pinpoint information leaks or security risks.” Haywood pressed his fingers to his temples. “We’re test-driving the group as a new precaution since the witnesses on this one keep dying.”
Julia thought of Mitch’s inside-man theory. “That makes sense,” she murmured. Leo had a hand in this, she was sure. It would explain the ease of access the stalker had to her banking and personal information if he was controlling someone on the cyber team. She was furious with herself for caving to his threats.
“Gee, Cooper. I’m so happy you think so. The team found several emails from you to a reporter, referencing confidential information on the Falk case.”
“I would never.” Except for the moment yesterday when she’d caved and shared the one name. One out of four mentioned. A name previously linked to Falk in an inquiry last year. Then it hit her, he’d said “emails” and she’d only sent a text message.
“We have the evidence, Cooper. Not only that, we caught the payment moving through your bank account. The Falk case was tough enough without your greedy, conniving stunt. We’ll be damn lucky to get out of this without sanctions. It will all be moot if Falk dies.”
“Sir, there’s been a mistake.”
“Don’t try and sell me some load of crap about how you’d never do this or that.” Haywood tapped a folder in front of him. “You get points for hiding the seedy side of your nature behind the heels and smile. I vouched for you.”
