"Thanks, Jason." He meant that. He hadn't always had a team he could count on. Those dark days still haunted him sometimes, but working with WhiteRock felt different. He and Jason went way back. Jason and Knox had his back.He didn't doubt that. And he didn't take it for granted. "I'll report back this evening."
"Good luck."
Nash ended the call and grabbed the keys to Emil's SUV.
Now, he just needed to figure out how to investigate Emil today without endangering Lena.
A sickening feeling told him that would not be an easy task.
Chapter 7
Nutmeg settled on Lena's lap, his entire twelve pounds of curly brown cuteness thrumming with the excitement of a child about to ride his first roller coaster. Lena stroked his tight chestnut curls, feeling grateful for his cheery presence. His incessant optimism about the world around him and everybody in it lifted her spirits.
The feeling faded as they passed Delphine's car in the driveway. She'd felt comfortable around Delphine until Nash's whispered accusation a few minutes ago. Now the familiar distrust she'd developed for so many people in her life formed for Delphine as well.
Suddenly hyper-aware of Nash's presence, she wondered if she'd accepted his story too easily as well. She stole a few glances at him while she feigned readjusting Nutmeg on her lap. Yesterday there had been moments she wasn't sure she trusted him. But other times she sensed a steadfast integrity.
And now?
What made her instinctively jump into the car with him as if he were rescuing her from Delphine? She couldn't name it exactly, but there was something grounding about his presence. Calm confidence wafted off him, whispering that he was one of the good guys—which did not make rational sense, but for the moment, she apparently trusted him enough to be driving off with him, going who knows where.
The more logical side of her mind needed answers.
"What did you mean when you said that Delphine lied?"
"The kids didn't start that fire. I have cameras pointed at the beach area. A stranger came up just before the kids got there yesterday and started the fire with a lighter."
"Are you sure?" she asked.
His silent look wasn't reproachful. But it was firm.
"OK," she said. "What does that mean? Does this have anything to do with Cassidy or the jewels?"
He turned onto the main road. "I don't know yet."
"Are we really going to Morghana City today? Or was that just a story to get out of there?"
Ten silent seconds came and went. His eyes didn't leave the road. Though, the tightness in his jaw signaled he was considering his words, not ignoring her.
His eyes darted to her, then back to the road. "I really should be taking you to the airport."
"Well, I didn't bring my suitcase, and we've been over that. I'm staying until I see Cassidy. Let's go to the marina. If Cassidy is on the yacht, she'll probably walk outside at some point, right? Who stays on a yacht and stays below deck the whole time? We could, you know, stake it out. And if I see Cassidy, or any evidence that she's there, I'll go aboard and talk to her."
He re-gripped the steering wheel. "No way, that's not the plan. First of all, you act like I don't have a plan, which is not the case. Second, that's way too dangerous. We don't know—"
"But it's what you want, right? As soon as I see Cassidy, I'll talk her into leaving. We go to the airport. We're out of your hair. We could be gone this afternoon. Isn't that what you want?"
"Yes."
Why did that sting?
He inhaled and exhaled a deep, intentional breath as he snatched his sunglasses from the visor and slipped them on. She assumed she was getting on his nerves. But his tone belied any irritation. "Lena, we have to play this smart. For everyone's sake. We're on the same side. I don't want anything to happen to Cassidy, or to you. But you're going to have to trust me. Okay?"
He didn't know what he was asking. She wasn't going to explain that, though.
Nutmeg barked at something out the window. She stroked his curly fur in an effort to keep him settled on her lap.
"Okay," she said. "What's your plan?"
