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“Really?” Now Beau really lit up. “If you can do that, I’ll give you two the fattest bonus. Season tickets, any seat you want, and I’ll love you forever.”
Myra smiled at Ike. “Great motivation.”
“Let’s find the Star Stabber first,” Ike reminded them both. This wasn’t some romance op. No matter how romantic he found any time with Myra to be and how intriguing it was that Beau would settle down and commit himself to one woman.
“He ruins all the fun, doesn’t he?” Beau teased.
“Not all of it.” Myra’s meaningful look had him wanting to pledge his devotion for life and buy a diamond ring. He wanted to beat Beau and Bermuda to that church wedding.
Ike shook his head to clear it. He didn’t even know where Myra’s ‘daddy’ lived to ask for her hand. And he wasn’t asking for her hand. Sheesh. This day was starting off even crazier than yesterday.
“Okay,” he said. “Let’s go look at that note and get to work.”
Myra only nodded, the beautiful look in her dark eyes gone. He’d ruined it by focusing on business, but that was why they were here. Not a dating op and definitely not a buying diamond rings and walking down the aisle op. Not for him, at least.
When was Aiden starting that crazy reality television show again?
Ike really needed his brother.
Chapter
Twelve
Thursday felt almost as long as Wednesday. Had she and Ike really only been together for two days? And with Beau? She felt like Beau was this crazy older brother that she was coming to care deeply for.
Ike … he was the embodiment of every romantic dream she’d never thought to have, but he either didn’t feel the same or was much better at shutting down his emotions and longing than she was. Therefore ruining the romantic dream instantly.
They spent the morning and early afternoon coordinating with the police, Tippin, Charli, and Fitz to get the note fingerprinted, but also check forensics throughout the master suite for a stray hair or anything else that may have been left behind by the Star Stabber.
Tippin was combing through the security camera footage looking for any blip that showed it had been tampered with or any sighting of the Star Stabber. She, Ike, and Beau listened and watched as Agent Chaney, a very competent thirty-something FBI agent, interviewed every one of Beau’s security people. All of their backgrounds were squeaky clean, and they all acted singularly devoted to Beau and offended that their loyalties would be questioned. But those on duty swore nothing out of the ordinary happened last night or this morning.
Chaney was looking deeper into the other house staff. Tippin wanted to dig into the security’s friends and family. The only guard who’d been on duty both times a note had gotten into the house was Harrison. The guy of course swore his innocence, and Beau promised he believed in him, but Ike asked Harrison to take two weeks off while they evaluated. Beau insisted he would pay him for the time off and the guy finally relented, though he was obviously not happy about it. Ike wished Tippin or Chaney could find something more on him, but he seemed like a nice kid and devoted to Beau.
They finally took a break to go to the high school. It was similar to yesterday; she and Ike sat in the stands while Beau worked with the players. This time, Beau didn’t ask her to do more than wave when he said his girlfriend and buddy Ike were here with him.
She and Ike sat in the bleachers with even more fans than yesterday. Of course it had leaked that Beau Alexander was showing up to high school practices in the area. They had a foot of space between them and were both concentrated on checking for danger while trying to look casual.
Ike did ask about her family and home, and she warmed up to that subject quickly, telling him more than he probably wanted to know about her dad and each of her siblings. When she shared about her mom’s death, he offered condolences but changed the subject pretty quick. He was very interested in the way her dad had trained her, and most of his questions were about that part of her life.
After the high school practice, they went home and had a delicious dinner, salmon and veggies prepared by Beau’s chef. Trevor, the chef, was a bit eccentric, but his background checked out and he was an incredible cook. Conversation was focused on the Star Stabber and what they could do to draw the man or woman out.
“I wish we could dump the fake dating thing,” Beau said. He looked them over. “You probably both wish that too.”
Myra glanced at Ike.
“For sure,” Ike said, focusing back on Beau and negating his words. He was only saying them for Beau. He was focused on the job. At times she’d talked herself into believing he was actually interested in her. Now she had no idea. She didn’t know how to decipher what was truth and what was acting.
“But the detective and your bosses all think we need to keep it going so Myra can be right by my side.” Beau’s mouth twisted. “I don’t know how the FBI can be suspicious of Bermuda.”
“They’re suspicious of everyone,” Ike said. “She does have reason to be upset with you.”
“I know, but she’d never hurt me, and I can’t prove to Bermuda that I can be faithful when I’m strutting around with a gorgeous brunette on my arm.”
Ike stiffened next to her.
“Sorry, man. I’m not checking out your girl,” Beau said. “Okay ... We’ve got to give it our A-game, right?”
“Sure.” Myra wasn’t certain what he meant.
