“My boldness may have given you the wrong idea. Since I started working at West a year ago, I’m pretty sure the only thing Gideon has said to me that hasn’t been work related is ‘nice to meet you,’ ‘good morning’ and ‘good night.’” Tessa waved one hand dramatically. “Oh, I forgot he said ‘thanks, Tessa’ when I bought you those clothes.” Tessa waved a hand at Mya. “I’d be the last to know whether he was dating.”
Mya laughed. “He can be a bit taciturn.”
One of Tessa’s eyebrows went up. “His nickname around here is Ice Man, so...yeah. But he’s also a man I’d want watching my back when it’s on the line.” Tessa gave Mya’s shoulder another squeeze.
“Thanks again for everything,” Mya said, forcing a smile onto her face as they exited the ladies’ room.
“As I said, not a problem.” Tessa led Mya back to the conference room.
Through the glass door, Mya could see James and Gideon, heads together, looking at something on the laptop’s screen.
Even with a wall between them, Mya could feel Gideon’s intensity.
As if he knew she was watching, Gideon lifted his head, his dark gaze locking on hers.
Tessa’s gaze swung from Mya to Gideon and back. “You know that question you had about Gideon and lady friends? Based on the data I currently see, Gideon only has eyes for the lady I’m standing next to.”
Chapter Seven
“You’re looking awfully comfortable at the head of the table.” Ryan West’s right eyebrow went up at a sharp angle.
After Mya and Tessa left the conference room, James had initiated a video conference call with his brother and president of West Investigations to update him on the firm’s newest case. Although Ryan was technically on paternity leave, his first child having made her appearance just three short weeks ago, he couldn’t stand to be completely out of the loop. From what Gideon could tell, James didn’t mind having his younger brother looking over his shoulder. In fact, he seemed more than a little relieved.
“It’s not the worst job, playing boss for a few weeks.” James chuckled, leaning back in the leather executive chair.
“Yeah, well, don’t get too comfortable. And speaking of not getting comfortable, did you get my email about the new job?”
This was the first Gideon had heard of a new job. James too seemed to be searching the recesses of his brain.
Managing West Investigations seemed to be a never-ending series of emails, phone calls, video chats and meetings. Technically, James and his youngest brothers, Ryan and Shawn, were co-owners of the firm their semiretired father, James Sr., had started. The only brother with no ownership interest was Brandon, who as an attorney had decided there were too many potential conflicts if he was part owner of a private investigations firm. But James had only recently begun working at West full-time. Gideon could only imagine how difficult it was to stay abreast of all the different cases the firm handled at any given time.
“Carling Lake,” Ryan offered by way of reminder.
“Oh, yeah, right. Carling Lake.” James scowled. “Where the—”
Ryan shot a warning look through the computer’s screen as the tiny bundle cradled in his arms shifted.
Little Cicely was well on her way to being the most spoiled three-week-old this side of the Hudson River, but it would take some time for her many uncles to temper their language in her presence.
“Where might this undoubtedly lovely place be?” James asked.
Ryan rolled his eyes.
Gideon fought a smile. There were times the West brothers made him happy he didn’t have siblings, but he knew any one of them would die for one of the others. It was the same kind of bond Gideon shared with his fellow marines.
“The Pennsylvania mountains,” Ryan answered.
This time it was James who shot a sour look at his brother. “Why me?”
Ryan gently swung the pink bundle in his arms from side to side. “I’d planned to assign Gideon but with what you’ve told me, there’s no way to be sure Miss Rochon’s situation will be settled in time.”
While Gideon generally took whatever assignments Ryan gave him, he couldn’t help being grateful he’d dodged this one. While he enjoyed the great outdoors—camping and fishing were two of his favorite hobbies—the mountains in midwinter held no appeal.
“I know you’ve been...struggling a bit since you came home,” Ryan said. “Working in an office isn’t what you’re used to.”
Transitioning back to civilian life wasn’t easy, Gideon knew from experience. And James had been in the military several years longer than he had. He seemed to be dealing with the change well but looks could be deceiving.
James’s brow furrowed. “Have I done something wrong? Have there been complaints?”
“No, nothing like that,” Ryan answered. A tiny fist burst from the pink blanket, followed by a sleepy-sounding mewl. Ryan hitched his daughter closer and swayed lightly. “But you’re my brother. I know you, and I can see that you’re restless.”
Gideon opened his mouth to say that he’d take the job. Mya could go to Carling Lake with him. Getting her out of town wasn’t a bad idea anyway.
James spoke before he uttered a word, though. “I’m fine. I don’t know that I want to make this a permanent position, but I’m happy to help out while you have some bonding time with your new family.”
“And I appreciate it,” Ryan said. “Nadia and I both do. This would help me out. I’m returning to the office next week, and this assignment in Carling Lake would begin at the end of the week. I need someone who can blend in with the other community members.”
“And you think I’d blend in in the community?”
“You like all that outdoorsy stuff, fishing, hiking and hunting,” Ryan answered. “It’s a small town but economically dependent on tourism. You should have no problem posing as a visitor looking for some R & R.”
From the look on his face, James wasn’t convinced. Before he could relay those thoughts to his brother, Cicely let out a wail.
Almost immediately, the door behind Ryan swung open and his wife, Nadia Shelton West, entered the room.
“You should have called me. I would have taken her from you while you were on your call.” Nadia leaned forward into the camera and waved. “Hi, James. Gideon.”
“Nadia.”
“Hi, beautiful.” James winked at his sister-in-law in a bid to get a rise out of his brother.
“Don’t flirt with my wife,” Ryan growled before turning to Nadia. “I didn’t want to wake you.” He let her scoop the squalling infant from his arms, pressing a kiss to the side of her neck as she did. Nadia dropped a kiss of her own onto Ryan’s lips before leaving the room.
A twinge of jealousy and...longing stabbed Gideon in his gut as he watched. Ryan and Nadia were perfect for each other. They’d had their difficulties but had worked through them and were building a life, a family together.
It had been a long time since Gideon felt like he had a shot at anything similar. He hadn’t even considered it since his divorce from Mya. His life had only been about work and Grandma Pearl and after her death, work had completely taken over.
But now, Mya was back in his life.
No. He couldn’t let himself think that way. Mya needed his help. That was all. Once she had her research back and he was sure she wasn’t in any danger, she’d go back to her life and he’d go back to his.
He shook off the thoughts and focused on the task at hand. Carling Lake.
“So, you don’t have to decide right now,” Ryan was saying to James. “Just think about it. I’ll send you all the information I have on the assignment and a few links on the town. Just give it some thought.”
James promised he would, and they signed off the video call as Tessa and Mya reentered the conference room.
Gideon let his eyes roam over Mya’s lithe
body. She’d changed into a pair of snug jeans and a red blouse, but he couldn’t help thinking she’d looked sexier in his old sweatshirt. And imagined how much better she’d look without any clothes at all. He shifted in his seat and squelched the train of thought before it led to a visibly uncomfortable place.
Mya slid into a chair on the opposite side of the table from him and James. Tessa grabbed bottles of water from the mini-fridge in the corner of the room and took the seat next to Mya.
“What can you tell us about Rebecca?” Gideon asked, focusing back on business.
“She’s worked as the receptionist slash file clerk slash admin for the last ten months or so. Our prior receptionist moved out of state.” Keyboard keys clacked softly as James took notes on the conversation.
“How did you come to hire her?”
Mya’s forehead furrowed in thought. “I think she was a friend of a friend of Brian’s.”
James stopped typing. “Brian your research assistant?”
“Yes.” Mya nodded. “Although he is much more than that. He worked alongside Irwin for several years before I joined the team.”
Gideon’s eyebrows went up. “You mentioned that before. Tell us about your relationship.”
Mya shook her head. “Brian is great. Meticulous, detail oriented with a deep knowledge of the science behind cancer treatments. We work well together.”
“But?” Gideon prodded, searching Mya’s face. He’d felt like there’d been something there earlier when she’d spoken about her relationship with Brian. Something she hadn’t wanted to share with him. A part of him feared she was going to say she and Brian were more than just coworkers.
He knew he didn’t have a claim on Mya, but that didn’t stop jealousy from swelling in his chest. “You said he didn’t have the right education background, but it felt like there was something you weren’t saying.”
Mya’s gaze skittered across the room. “There’s a lot that goes into running a successful lab. Irwin and the board didn’t think he had the right temperament for the director’s position.”
Tessa smirked. “That’s something you should be able to understand, Gid.”
Gideon sent Tessa a biting look, but she just smiled back beatifically.
“Let’s get back to Rebecca.”
“There’s not a lot more I can tell you. Brian said he knew someone who might work in the receptionist position. It seemed like it would be a good fit since Rebecca is...was studying for an associate’s degree in chemistry.”
Gideon’s spine prickled. “You said it seemed like it would be a good fit. It wasn’t?”
“Rebecca wasn’t a bad employee,” Mya hedged. “It’s just that there were some definite gaps in her knowledge. I’m not disparaging her—she picked things up quickly, and she was definitely interested in our research, but I guess I expected she’d know more than she did.”
A smile tipped his lips upward. “Not everyone is a genius like you.”
He watched her face flush. “I’m not a genius.”
“You love your work, though.”
“I do. I know not everyone is fortunate enough to find a career that they enjoy, and that’s important work. I know how lucky I’ve been, especially as a Black woman in the sciences, to have had Irwin Ross as a mentor. It definitely opened doors that may have never been opened for me otherwise.”
“I never doubted you would do it.” And he hadn’t, especially once he’d stopped being an encumbrance. “I knew you would change the world one day.”
She smiled, and it nearly stopped his heart. “I think we both share that ‘wanting to make a difference’ gene.”
“I don’t know about that.”
Mya cocked her head to the side, a smile curving her lips. “You don’t think being a marine, serving your country and defending democracy around the world makes a difference?”
“A bit of an exaggeration.”
“Not at all.”
James cleared his throat. “I’ve got an address on Rebecca Conway. Not much more online, though. No social media hits at all, which is unusual for someone her age.”
Mya frowned, her expression betraying confusion. “That is weird. Rebecca was always on her phone during her breaks and coming into work.”
Gideon frowned. “Do you know if she had a boyfriend? Any family nearby we could talk to?”
“She has mentioned a roommate, although I’m not sure I’m comfortable questioning her loved ones so soon after her death.”
“Normally, I’d give the friends and family some time, but I’m not sure we have time in this case. Whoever is after you and your formula has already committed arson and more than likely killed Rebecca. We need to find out who that is and right now Rebecca is our best lead.”
“What do you mean?”
“We need to know why she was in your house. Was it just a sad coincidence or something else?”
“Something else? You can’t think Rebecca had something to do with the theft or arson?”
“Right now, I’m suspicious of everyone.”
Mya shook her head in disbelief. “I definitely heard a man’s voice at the lab last night.”
“Maybe Rebecca was working with the guy you saw? The money that you were likely to make from licensing the formula, that’s the kind of money that could lead someone to make really bad decisions.” The look Mya gave him said she wasn’t buying it. “For argument’s sake, let’s say Rebecca was planning to steal my formula. Why go through all this? I mean, she had access to it at the lab. Why not just slip in one evening and take it?”
“Because then you and Brian would know who had stolen it and you’d get the police involved. She’d never be able to sell it, even on the black market. The theft would be too high profile for someone to eventually pass off as their own.”
“I don’t know, Gideon.” Mya’s reddish-brown locks skimmed her shoulders as her head shook back and forth. “It just sounds so far-fetched. And it still doesn’t explain why Rebecca was killed in my house.”
“Have you ever heard the saying ‘there’s no honor among thieves’? Maybe Rebecca was supposed to get the first parts of the formula while her accomplice got the final portion from you and destroyed the lab. But the accomplice double-crossed Rebecca instead.”
Mya closed her eyes and let her head fall back against the leather chair she sat in. “I feel like I’m in an action film. A bad one.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “You hated action movies when we were together.”
She opened one eye and looked his way. “They’ve grown on me.”
“I think you start with Rebecca’s roommate.” James said. “You’ll probably get more reliable information about her day-to-day life from a roommate than a grieving family.”
Gideon agreed. A twenty-four year-old woman was likely keeping any number of things from her family.
Mya chewed her bottom lip. He could see doubt, and worse, fear, in her eyes.
He spun her chair until it faced his. “We will figure this out. I promise.”
Chapter Eight
Rebecca lived in a garden-style apartment complex with four buildings arranged around a small courtyard and surrounded by an asphalt parking lot. Management had given the boxy tan buildings a faux Venetian facade that did little to hide the structure’s utilitarian nature. Someone had haphazardly wound white lights around the thin tree in the courtyard as a nod to the season. Located in a working-class neighborhood near two junior colleges, Gideon doubted the residents cared.
Gideon rounded the Tahoe, his eyes scanning the parking lot for threats. He met Mya at the passenger door. She pulled leather gloves she’d borrowed from Tessa over her hands and yanked her skull cap down over her ears.
The sun was out, but it was losing the battle against the nearly freezing temperature.
They walked to the gate surroundin
g the complex. Gideon pressed the buzzer for Rebecca’s apartment three times before a scratchy voice came over the intercom.
“Yes?”
“Felix Ucar?”
“Yes. Who is this?”
“My name is Gideon Wright. I’ve got Mya Rochon here with me. Do you have a moment to talk to us about Rebecca?”
There was quiet at the other end of the intercom. Half a minute passed, and then the gate buzzed and opened. Gideon and Mya followed a twisty path to building B. Rebecca and Felix lived in apartment 402. Mya started toward the elevator embedded in the tiny alcove next to the stairs.
Gideon caught her arm. “Let’s take the stairs.”
Mya’s jaw slackened. “It’s four flights.”
“I know, but we don’t know exactly what to expect. I don’t want to be stuck in a little box.”
She didn’t look happy about it, but she started up the stairs with him.
Gideon angled himself so that he was slightly ahead of her as they ascended. He’d run a quick background check on Felix Ucar before they’d left West’s offices. He appeared to be a typical part-time student, full-time office drone. So far, there was no reason to suspect Rebecca’s roommate had any involvement with the lab fire or her death, but Gideon knew better than to let his guard down. An innocent appearance could cover a multitude of sins.
Felix opened the door on the first knock. His blond hair stood on end, and even at twenty-five, he hadn’t quite lost the look of a teen stuck on the cusp of adulthood. Wide, bloodshot eyes swung between Gideon and Mya.
“The police were by to question me earlier today.”
“We aren’t with the police, Mr. Ucar,” Mya answered.
Felix moved a questioning gaze to Gideon.
“This is my friend Gideon. The police may have mentioned that I was attacked, and my lab set on fire last night. Gideon is helping me sort out who would do something like this.”
Felix assessed them for another moment, then opened the door wider.
Matted tan carpet covered the floor. The apartment’s design esthetic appeared to be little more than broke twenty-somethings. The furniture was mismatched, and the eggshell-white walls were bare. The space’s sparseness made the large flat-screen television in the corner of the room even more conspicuous.
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