Love Remains (37 page)

“Thank you for trying it.”

He whirled his hand in front of him and bowed as best he could. “Your wish is my command, milady.”

“Ha! I’ll believe that when I see it.” Zarah closed her eyes in sheer pleasure as the spicy, crispy, juicy tanginess filled her mouth. She quickly finished that piece and went for a second slice.

Before she could ask Bobby more specifics about his job, he went back to what they’d been talking about when the appetizer arrived. He only paused when the waitress brought them their main dishes. And like a dog with a bone, he picked up right where he’d left off after the server departed.

Zarah ate as best she could while trying to answer his questions.

He got through his food a lot faster than she could. “How much evidence do you have to have before you can go to the judge for the injunction?”

Zarah swallowed the bite of salmon she’d just put in her mouth. “You know, lunch with you had sounded like a really good idea, but I didn’t realize before I got here I’d be getting the third-degree about my job.”

Bobby grinned shiftily. “Sorry. I’m interested in how your job works.”

“I know. You asked me about it quite a bit on Sunday at lunch, too. I guess if I’m going to be hanging out with you, I’m going to have to get used to this new aspect of your personality—Bobby the Interrogator.” Truthfully, she didn’t mind, so long as they spent time together.

“Hanging out. Is that what we’re doing?” Bobby put his fork down and lifted his tea glass.

“It must be—because you haven’t responded to any of my attempts to talk about what happened last Friday night.” She pushed her plate back and leaned her folded arms against the edge of the table.

“You mean the whole thing with you ruining a perfectly good handkerchief by wiping all your mascara off on it?” He winked at her.

“Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. Which reminds me to ask: Has
anyone told you recently how old-fashioned you are? A handkerchief? Really?”

“Hey, now—my dad and grandfather both carry handkerchiefs. They have all their lives. It’s a proud tradition in our family. And I haven’t seen you complaining about them when you’ve used mine.”

“Yeah, well…” She grinned at him, even though her heart pounded. “Why did you kiss me, Bobby?”

“Because I wanted to.”

Obviously. She’d wanted him to, also. “But what did it mean? I can’t do this cat-and-mouse, shades-of-gray thing. I have to know what’s going on with us. Where do you see this going?”

Bobby straightened his tie and took another gulp of tea. “I want us to be together.”

“As friends?”

Bobby glanced up and accepted the bill folder from the waitress. He slid a credit card into it and set it on the edge of the table for when she returned.

“Did I say that?” He rested his arm across the table and beckoned with his fingers for her hand.

Zarah placed her hand in his. “So then, what?”

“Dating is a perfect way to be together, don’t you think?” He lifted her hand, leaned forward, and kissed it.

Bliss made her head soar, her heart run laps in her chest. “I think that’s possible. If I recall, that’s how we were together the first time.”

“But let’s not make it a big deal—you know, at church or…or with our families. I’d like to keep this private, just for us, for a little while.” Bobby lowered his chin, his forehead crinkled up in that worried, questioning, little-boy-innocent look she couldn’t resist.

“Okay.” But no, she didn’t really understand. If they were dating, they were dating. “Let’s not do like Patrick and Stacy and keep it such a secret that it creates hard feelings for the people around us.” Several people—young women—had stopped coming after Patrick’s engagement announcement.

The mention of Patrick turned the conversation to their new Sunday school class. Zarah agreed with Bobby that the couple teaching it had done a great job—though she really hadn’t been able to pay much attention to the lesson with Bobby sitting beside her.

“Anyway, back to you and me,” Bobby said. “I guess Flannery and Caylor have heard everything that happened. And that I’m going to have to get used to them knowing pretty much everything about me.” He pulled off a frustrated expression—sort of.

Zarah laughed. “I know how to be discreet and share only what I want them to know. Besides, I don’t kiss and tell. Unless it’s really bad. Or funny.”

Bobby signed the receipt and then helped her into her jacket. “And you’ve been kissed so many times, you’ve figured out which stories to tell?”

“Okay, so, no, I haven’t. But it’s somewhat of an unwritten rule with the three of us, that we don’t share a lot of personal details about our romantic relationships. Enough, but not everything.” He held the door to the entryway open for her, and she went through, then held the exterior door open for him.

“Good. I’ll still be able to look them in the eye.” He put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. “I’ve got to run. Meeting at two.”

“Am I still supposed to come over tomorrow to help you unpack?”

“If you want to. I thought it would be a good way for us to spend time together talking.”

“And for you to get some free manual labor.”

“Yeah. That, too. Come anytime after eleven in the morning.” He hit the remote button to unlock his car. “See you tomorrow.”

The one-armed hug and no other sign of affection upon parting didn’t define
dating
to Zarah, but she would follow his lead. “See you tomorrow.”

She hadn’t been back in her office five minutes when the phone beeped. “Hi, Debby.”

“Hey, Zarah. There’s a Mr. Todd Warren here to see you.”

She groaned. “Okay. I’ll be down in a minute.” Annoyed that he’d broken his promise to stay away, Zarah pulled her hair back and secured it with a clip before heading downstairs.

Todd stood near the front door, staring out at West End Avenue. Interesting. She’d had to hunt Bobby down in the museum a few weeks ago. Todd obviously couldn’t care less about the historical treasures contained in this building.

“Senator Warren, what can I help you with?”

Todd turned and gave her a tight smile. “Is there somewhere we can talk privately?”

“My office.” She motioned him to join her.

As he seemed disinclined toward small talk, she didn’t try to initiate any on the way upstairs. Having just finished several projects, her desk and office were unusually neat and organized.

“Please have a seat.” Zarah rounded her desk and sat in her chair.

Todd took the guest chair closest to the door in the small room.

“Now, what can I do for you?” She tried to sound as pleasant—but professional—as possible.

“I wanted to let you know that the committee’s vote is going to go against you.”

Zarah’s heart paused, then restarted with a crashing beat. “What do you mean?”

“I’m talking about the East Nashville project. I know you have your heart set on digging up that land to see if there’s an old fort there, but the committee isn’t convinced by the evidence you presented in your report. They’d like to avoid any more public controversy over this.”

“This is because of that editorial in the newspaper last month, isn’t it?” She dug her blunt fingernails into her palms to keep herself from overreacting.

“Partly. Look, your department and the committee have a clean record so far—nothing that’s created any kind of public outcry or
protest. Until now. Zarah, what I’m saying is that it would be in everyone’s best interest if, when you go back to the judge next week, you would agree to have the injunction dropped and let the auction take place.”

“Or?” Anxiety sparked through her limbs. She crossed her arms just to keep them from trembling.

“Or…the committee will have to start a serious reevaluation of the commission’s projects and funding.” Todd stood, a faux-sympathetic expression marring his handsome face. “I’m coming to you as a favor, because I feel like we have a connection. Nothing is set in stone yet. I know this is a blow to you, but in the long run, you’ll see it’s for the best.”

She had a strong feeling she wouldn’t.

Bobby stared at the reports in front of him in horrified silence. These numbers couldn’t be correct. He glanced up at Jill, who nodded, and then looked back at the paperwork in front of him.

“How was the account hidden?”

The forensic accountant launched into an explanation of networked and offshore accounts the likes of which Bobby would never understand.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “You’re certain it’s his?”

“Positive.”

“And the judge?”

She nodded. “Definitely connected. Numbers don’t lie.”

He might be sick. “Thanks, Jill.”

“I figured you’d be thrilled to finally have a solid lead.”

“Oh no. I’m grateful to finally have a defined target for the investigation. I just hadn’t expected it to be
him.”

“None of us did.”

“You’ll keep this quiet, right? With a judge involved, too, if this got out…”

“Believe me, this is not information I’m wanting to pass on to anyone. I’m the soul of discretion. Good luck.” She left the office as quietly as she’d arrived a few minutes ago.

Bobby called Gage and Milligan to join him. The joy that had lingered since lunch with Zarah evaporated faster than a drop of water on asphalt in August.

The two agents that comprised the whole of his investigative unit joined him in his office less than five minutes later. He filled them in on the newest wrinkle in the case.

Gage let out a low whistle. “That’s a pretty big wrinkle.”

“I’d say about the size of the Rocky Mountains,” Milligan added, pale and looking as if he, too, felt like he was going to be sick.

“Obviously this information cannot leave this office. We’ll continue with all aspects of the investigation that have given us any hint of a lead, just so we don’t tip our hand. But I think it’s time we start
quietly
questioning some folks. This is one of those times when we need to have an ironclad case before moving on the suspect. Given how well hidden these accounts were, he obviously has resources we never suspected, and he could easily slip through our fingers.”

“Where do you want us to start? The historic commission?”

Bobby rocked back in his chair. Zarah should be questioned—and not by him. But he had to tell her about the investigation first. “Let’s start with Dr. Zarah Mitchell. The two of you call her on Monday and see if she can meet with you early next week. I believe she’s scheduled to go to court about the injunction Tuesday morning, so it might be better to wait until after that—just to be respectful of the restraints on her time.”

Gage and Milligan exchanged a questioning glance. Gage spoke for them. “You said you know her. Wouldn’t it be better if you questioned her? She’ll be more comfortable with you.”

“No. We have to make sure that there is nothing a defense attorney can use against us—such as conflict of interest in the questioning of a potential material witness. The two of you can gather information
without the subjectivity of a prior knowledge of Dr. Mitchell.” And if she weren’t having the women from the singles’ group over for Girls’ Night tonight, he’d do it as soon as he could get out of this office. But it would have to wait until she came over to help him unpack tomorrow.

Shortly after Gage and Milligan left his office, Chase knocked and let himself in before Bobby could issue an invitation.

Chase closed the door and sat.

“Hey, Chase. Come in and have a seat.” If anyone could help him regain a positive outlook on this case, it would be Chase. Except…

For the first time since Bobby had met the other special agent, Chase wasn’t smiling.

“What’s wrong?”

“I met Michaelle at Chappy’s for lunch this afternoon.”

“Really? What time were you there? I didn’t see you.”

“I know. But I saw you.” Chase rubbed his chin, creating a rasping sound. “You remember that talk we had at my house about you and this girl from your past?”

“Yeah—and I’m still grateful to you for listening to me and helping me clarify some of my thoughts and feelings.” Bobby chewed his bottom lip, concerned over Chase’s somber air.

“I think you didn’t hear me correctly at the end of that conversation. I said to close the case and
then
get back together with her.” Chase leaned forward and braced his elbows against his legs. “I know you’re a man of faith, and I know you have a sound knowledge of scripture. So I know you know that we’re told as Christians not to do anything that creates even the appearance of evil—of misconduct or unethical practices.”

“Right. We can’t be seen together in public.”

“From what you’ve told me, the last time you tried dating her in secret had devastating results. Do you really want to do that to her again?”

Agonizing hollowness sucked the air out of Bobby’s lungs. “No.
I can’t do that to her again. You’re right.” He stood and held his right hand out toward his friend and colleague. “Thank you for caring enough about both Zarah and me to confront me. It couldn’t have been easy.”

Relief practically dripped from Chase’s expression. He bounded out of the chair and pumped Bobby’s hand. “I only hope you’ll repay the favor if it’s ever warranted.”