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Even Joe’s voice, low and rumbling, represented safety.
“How did it end up here? It was on the deck after...he went overboard. Wouldn’t the crew have picked it up? Why would they allow some random person to grab the hat of the guy who’d just taken a dive off the boat?”
“There was mass confusion in the moments after the other passengers reported that a man had gone into the water. Anyone could’ve snatched up the hat.”
Someone honked a horn, and Hailey jumped, putting her even closer to Joe and his warm presence.
He squeezed her waist. “It’s the driver. I’ll tell him not to wait. He’ll just think I got lucky.”
With her head to one side, Hailey watched Joe jog down the steps to the sidewalk. Got lucky? Was that what he was hoping for? Was that what she was hoping for?
As he returned to the porch, Hailey leaned over the hat, giving it a wide berth, and unlocked her front door. She pushed it open and jerked her thumb up to the roof. “I’m going to get a look at exactly who left the hat when I check my security footage, and then I’m going to call the police.”
“You’re going to call the police on someone for leaving a hat on your doorstep?” Joe crouched down and picked up the hat by its brim. “Maybe the SFPD jumps when someone from Pacific Heights calls, but I doubt this offense would be high on their agenda.”
“The hat of someone who was pushed off an Alcatraz ferry?”
“Nobody said he was pushed. There were no witnesses. He could’ve fallen. Jumped. There’s no...body yet.”
She turned toward him, still not sure whether or not she was inviting him inside. “Why’d they do it? Why leave Marten’s hat here?”
“As a warning? I don’t know.” He tipped the hat at her. “Let’s take a look at that security footage.”
He’d made the decision for her, invited himself in...and she didn’t mind one bit.
She widened the door and stepped back, holding her breath as Joe crossed the threshold into the foyer. The opulence of the house could make people dizzy—or make them salivate. She’d seen both reactions from men she’d ushered inside—and either way, it had ended badly for her and not too great for them, either.
Joe didn’t even blink an eyelash as he placed the hat on a bench in the entryway and touched her arm. “Are you sure you’re okay? You look pale. Maybe you should sit down before chasing after that footage.”
“I’m fine, thanks.” She scooped up a remote control by the door and clicked a few buttons, turning on the lights in the kitchen. “I can bring up the security cam on my laptop.”
Her heels tapped on the polished hardwood floor as she walked toward the kitchen, Joe dogging her steps as if he feared she’d keel over in a faint. Despite their cushy surroundings, Joe had to realize she was made of stronger stuff than that, although she didn’t know why she cared what Joe McVie thought.
She flipped up the lid on her laptop and tapped the keyboard to wake it up. Her fingers hovered over the keys as Joe leaned over her shoulder.
She flicked her fingers at him. “I’m going to enter my password now.”
“Oh, sorry.” He circled around until his back was facing her.
Typing in her password, she asked, “Do you want something to drink? I have beer and some white wine in the fridge.”
“Just some water, please.”
“Bottles are in the refrigerator.” She drummed her thumbs on the base of the computer. “I haven’t looked at this in a while.”
“I can help you, if you need it.” Joe held up a water bottle. “Do you want one?”
“No, thanks, but you can pour me a glass of that chardonnay that’s open. Glass in the cupboard to your right.”
While Joe clinked through the glasses and poured her wine, she navigated to the security program and launched the footage.
“Your wine.” Joe clicked the glass on the counter next to the computer and took up his previous position behind her, looking over her shoulder. He jabbed his finger at the screen. “You can get to the date there. Today’s date is the default.”
“I’ve got it. Thanks for the wine.” She picked up the glass and raised it, tapping it against his plastic water bottle. “Here’s to success.”
