What She Doesn't See (17 page)

If he’d come here to shut down the
operation...

“You
wanted
this Avery Chambers guy
to come after me.” The epiphany hit her so suddenly and with such
impact that she lost her breath.

He didn’t deny the charge.

“You’ve been using me?” she demanded. That
was the only conclusion that made sense. He’d been watching her,
following her, but he’d never officially hauled her in for
questioning or interacted with the local authorities.

“Bait.” She said the word at the same time
that the full ramifications penetrated her brain, allowing her to
answer her own question. “I’m the only bait you have left. Hitch is
dead and O’Neil dumped that damned thing right back in my lap.”

Murphy stared at her with an intensity that
warned the choice was no longer up to her. “That’s very astute of
you, Miss Jackson. All I need is the device and your brief
cooperation and we’ll finish this unpleasant business.”

Alex was tough. She was smart. Damn smart.
And no one, absolutely no one, intimidated her. Except this guy.
She had a feeling he wouldn’t stop until he had his way... no
matter the cost.

“All right. I’ll cooperate. On two
conditions.”

His undivided attention remained on her.

“First, you make sure my mother and my close
friends are protected.”

“Security details are already in place,” he
assured her.

Alex breathed easier. She didn’t want this to
hurt anyone else she cared about. “Number two, you see that the
local police have the goods on Hitch’s killer, who I assume is the
same one who blew up O’Neill’s house, and I’ll cooperate all you
want.”

“You’re admitting that you have the
device.”

Alex smiled. “Let’s just say I can guarantee
you’ll have it...
if
we have a deal.”

“You do understand this will mean I’ll be on
top of your every move.”

Now there was an image she could have done
without, considering her current dilemma where this man was
concerned.

“As long as Hitch’s killer gets his, I can do
business with the devil himself.”

Murphy stood. “I’ll take custody of the
device now.”

She pushed to her feet. “When this is
done.”

That fierce blue gaze locked with hers once
more. “I’ll only allow you to push me so far, Alex.”

No matter that the coffee table and a good
three feet stood between them, her entire body reacted to him.

“Are you saying I’m testing your boundaries,
Wyatt
?”

“Yes.”

The ability to breathe ceased. “Should I be
worried?”

He rounded the coffee table in two strides
and cupped her face in his hands. “Very.”

He kissed her. Hard, and then harder still.
She fisted her fingers at her sides, not daring to touch him
despite the need pulsing inside her.

He abruptly stepped back, snatched up his
weapons, and then walked out.

Friday, July 25

The next morning Alex, followed by her
shadow, waltzed into her office to find her entire crew waiting for
her arrival.

“I’m glad you’re all here,” she announced,
avoiding eye contact with Shannon. “I’d like to introduce you to
Wyatt Murphy. He’s the newest edition to our crew.” She cleared her
throat. “Professor, if you’d show Wyatt around, I have some
paperwork to get to.”

Marg, the Professor, and Hernandez simply
stared at her. Usually they made decisions as a team. They were
all, except Shannon, stunned by her announcement. There was no help
for it. Murphy had informed her first thing this morning that he
wasn’t letting her out of his sight. This was his plan for ensuring
he was able to
stay on top of her
.

“Alex, we’d like to speak to you. Privately,”
Shannon added with a nod toward Murphy.

Alex took a breath. “Sure.” She turned to
Murphy. “Why don’t you grab that new odor neutralizer I ordered?”
She tossed him the keys to her SUV.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Even those two words made her shiver. Jesus,
she was still reeling from that kiss last night. She hadn’t slept.
Now her crew was looking at her as if she’d just announced there
would be no bonus at Christmas this year.

She propped a smile in place and asked,
“What’s up?”

“Does he have any experience?” Hernandez
wanted to know, clearly miffed about the new guy.

Shannon shot him a look. “Alex was right to
snag this guy. Personally, I’m tired of working late and on
Saturdays most weeks.”

Hernandez adopted a properly humbled
expression. Alex appreciated Shannon covering for her. She would
explain as much as she could later.

“What we actually wanted to say,” the
Professor announced, “is that we’ve taken a vote.”

Alex tossed her bag onto the counter and then
leaned against it. “What kind of vote?”

“We think you should take a vacation,” Marg
spoke up.

“Get out of town. Relax,” Shannon added. She
glanced toward the door Murphy had existed. “As soon as you can, of
course.”

Alex immediately saw the quickest way out of
this. “I think that’s a great idea.” She grabbed her bag. “I’ll be
in my office. Planning my vacation.”

She left her nosy-if-well-meaning crew to
ponder that one. Today’s schedule was a busy one. She doubted there
would be time for arguments or more questions.

Alex had enjoyed the seclusion of her office
for all of five minutes when a soft rap invaded the silence. She
squeezed her eyes shut and dug deep for patience. It wouldn’t be
Murphy. He would never knock that softly. Geez, the ride here this
morning had been torture. Her mind kept replaying that hot, frantic
kiss. His scent had her so hot and bothered by the time they
reached the office she almost had an orgasm getting out of the
damned SUV.

How pathetic was that. She didn’t even want
to consider how long it had been since she’d had a date, much less
sex. Life had gotten in the way.

The door opened and Marg poked her head
inside, “Alex, I need to talk to you.”

Alex cleared her head and gestured to the
chair in front of her desk. “Sure.” Her mother was having one of
her depressed days. Alex could always tell. Her attire was dark,
like her mood. The blouse was particularly conservative, with no
cleavage whatsoever showing. “What’s wrong?”

“I feel so old.”

Alex made a dismissive sound. “Don’t be
ridiculous. You are not old.”

“Can’t help how I feel.”

Alex opened her mouth to suggest her mother
join another gym. Instead, for the first time in a long time, she
held her tongue and looked closely at her mother. She was a
beautiful woman. The tiniest lines had started to crease the
corners of her eyes. Worry lines no doubt. Alex had been there all
those years when Marg and Dex Jackson had fought like cats and
dogs. The marriage had been doomed from the beginning. Though her
mother would never admit as much, she’d only married Dex because
she’d been fifteen and pregnant.

“You really do need a vacation, Alex.”

Alex made a face. “I thought we were talking
about you.”

“I feel old because I’m worried about
you.”

“What?” Alex rolled her eyes. Was there
anything her mother couldn’t blame on someone else?

Marg stared meaningfully at Alex for a
moment. ”I’m so afraid that the mistakes your father and I made are
keeping you from living your life to the fullest.”

This entire conversation was simply
ludicrous. “What’re you talking about? My life is fine.”

“Alex.” Her mother reached across her desk
placed a hand on hers. “You can’t run away from love forever.”

Alex bit back the nasty retort that came to
mind. Marg was vulnerable right now. She’d just taken a big step by
joining AA. This was the way it was with them. Her mother needed
her, Alex jumped in and helped. It had been that way for as far
back as she could remember.

“Mother, I’m fine. Really. I’m perfectly
happy with my life just as it is.”

“I’m certain it’s my fault you haven’t let
anyone close,” Marg continued as if Alex had said nothing. “You’ve
been too busy taking care of me and cleaning up the messes I’ve
made.”

Alex shook her head. “Don’t be
ridiculous.”

“Honestly,” her mother insisted, “I’m
terrified that you don’t understand that it’s okay to make a
mistake. It’s okay to fail every so often. Life isn’t supposed to
be perfect. Living life is about taking risks, about allowing
yourself to be vulnerable at times.” She squeezed Alex’s hand. “You
need
to let someone in. Otherwise you’ll never know just
how magical that kind of relationship is.”

Somehow Alex couldn’t bring herself to launch
the stock argument she typically used. This whole week had shaken
her.

“I’ve been paying attention,” Marg went on.
“Hitch’s death has taken a toll on you. That’s very telling, Alex.
Pay attention to what your heart is saying.”

Sweet Jesus. How on earth was she supposed to
take relationship advice from her mother?

As if she’d said as much aloud, Marg leaned
back into her chair. “I haven’t been a very good example. Your
father didn’t know how to be a husband, much less a father. I
couldn’t be the kind of wife he wanted or the sort of mother you
needed. I know it was hard on you, Alex.” She heaved a heavy
breath. “But we did love each other, we just weren’t good for each
other. The jealousy and the alcohol made us do crazy things.”

“You don’t have to do this,” Alex said
gently.

Marg held up her hands in surrender. “I know
you’re going to do whatever you decide is right for you, just
remember what I said, okay?”

Alex smiled. “Okay.”

Marg pushed to her feet. “I’ll let you get to
work then.” She smiled. “I like your new friend. He’s very good
looking and such a gentleman.”

Alex frowned. “Murphy?”

Marg nodded. “He’s a keeper.”

“He’s not that kind of friend,” Alex assured
her. Even as she said the words that kiss cycled through her head
again.

Her mother made it to the door before saying
more. “I’m very proud of you for being so independent and capable,
Alex. You’re an amazing woman and an incredible daughter.”

“Thank you.” Wow. Marg must really be worried
about her.

“Just remember, no matter how independent you
are there comes a time when everyone needs someone.”

With that profound statement, Marg went on
her way.

Alex shook her head and reached for a pile of
invoices. How could her mother instinctively know she had been
dealing with those same feelings lately? Worse, why was it Wyatt
Murphy’s handsome mug and that damned kiss wouldn’t stay out of her
head?

Work. She needed to work.

By late afternoon, Alex had finished all the
reports and signed off on every single invoice. She’d even taken
the time to organize the clutter in her office. It wouldn’t be
winning any beautification award, but at least she could walk
through her office without stepping on something or tripping.
Shannon had popped in a couple of times to shower her with praise.
Alex suspected that was about keeping her motivated. Marg had
brought her a salad at lunch.

Murphy hadn’t popped in even once. Maybe he
had decided to steer clear after letting his control slip last
night. Hernandez and the Professor had gone out on an apartment
cleanup involving a drug deal gone bad over in Little Havana.

A light knock sounded on the door before
Shannon breezed in. She passed Alex a message. “Tenant was a
hoarder. The landlord needs the place cleaned up ASAP. I thought
maybe you and Murphy could handle this one.”

Alex glared at her. “He’s not really working
here,” she growled under her breath. No way did Alex want to spend
the next few hours holed up at a job site with him.

“He’s keeping an eye on you,” Shannon
muttered. “I get that, but either you get him out of here or I’m
going home. He’s been sitting out there all day and I cannot take
it a minute longer.”

Alex got it now. She grinned. “He smells
good, doesn’t he?”

Shannon closed her eyes. “Incredible.”

Alex stood. “Okay. We’re out of here.”

Per her instructions, Murphy parked in the
driveway of the house where Walter Brenner had lived. According to
the landlord, he had been one of those people who saved everything.
The landlord wanted the place emptied and readied for a new tenant
coming in the first of the month. Brenner had no next of kin. His
attending physician had authorized the funeral home to come pick
him up. Since the man had suffered with high blood pressure and
heart problems, not to mention he was eighty-nine, the law allowed
an attending physician to sign-off on his death, forgoing the need
for an M.E. or an autopsy.

Donning shoe covers and gloves, Alex took the
key she’d picked up from the landlord and opened the door.

“I’ll go first.” Wearing shoe covers and
gloves as well, Murphy moved ahead of her.

Suited her just fine. Three feet inside the
door and the less than pleasant odor of molding pizza greeted her.
Could have been a lot worse. She shivered as she closed the door
behind her. The temp of the air-conditioning had to be set at
sixty. It was like a fridge in here.

The living room was piled high with
magazines, newspapers, and dozens upon dozens of pizza boxes. Her
nose twitched. That would explain the smell of moldy cheese. In one
corner of the room stood a tower of aluminum cans. She would see
that all recyclables were taken to a center.

Actually, she realized as she surveyed the
furniture and what she could see of the floor, the place was pretty
clean, the mounds of accumulated stuff notwithstanding.

“You run into situations like this
often?”

“More often than you’d think.” She slid a
sidelong glance at her shadow. That was more than he’d said all
day. “Do you run into cases like
this
often?”