“No. My father asked me not to.” Matthew shook his head. “Something has happened. We all know it. My father knows it. But I’m not supposed to do anything official about it. My dad wanted me to know just in case ‘something happens.’”
“Something like what?”
“I wish I knew.” He pushed a French fry around on his plate. “I need to dig deeper.”
“You need to be careful. How much does Haversham know? He’s the only one you’ve been working with on this besides me, right?”
“Correct. He knows everything you do except that Louis is missing. I haven’t told him I think my parents are involved.”
“Because you’re not sure.” She sighed. “If it was my uncle, I’d do the same. Unless I had something solid, I wouldn’t cast suspicion. You’re not a bad guy for keeping this to yourself.”
“I’m not?” He looked so hopeful.
“But then, I’m not the best person to guide you or pass judgement. I know we have strict laws about right and wrong, but sometimes what’s right lingers in the gray area between legal and illegal, you know?” She flushed. “I mean, I’ve never crossed the line. Not exactly.”
He stared at her. “Oh?”
“Well, when I went looking for Jenn, back when she’d been held hostage by Rob Williams, I could have asked for official backup. I had a feeling I was walking into a trap. Instead, I asked my cousin to come with me.”
“Yes, but you still followed the law.”
“I guess. But I really enjoyed beating the crap out of Williams. I broke his wrists and dislocated his knee.”
Matthew’s smile grew wide. “I enjoyed reading about that in your report.” He took a moment. “So I’m curious.”
“About?”
“When we found the Red Ribbon Killer dead from an apparent suicide, you seemed surprised to hear about his death. Were you really?”
“Really what? Surprised?” She nodded. “You bet. I remembered tying him up, but the drugs he gave me took me under. When I woke, I figured you guys had taken him in for questioning. Not that he’d killed himself.” She shrugged. “But I’m not sorry at all. Some people deserve to die.” She flinched. “That sounds terrible.”
“It does and it doesn’t. Because I agree with you.”
Jane tried to explain, “I’m not saying I’d be the one to kill them. But if they get the death penalty or die in a gunfighttheystarted, I’m not shedding atear, you know?”
He nodded. “Relax, Jane. I’m on your side.”
“Same here. You can trust me, Matthew. And you can trust Haversham. Just make sure you’re careful. People keep winding up dead on this case.”
Matthew nodded. “Make sure you follow your own advice. Now let me tell you about what Grace said about her most promising ex-junior agent.”
His smile told her Grace had been telling tales about her again.
They spent the rest of the evening sharing stories. And a few kisses that lingered, stirring new heat.
But when Jane said goodbye, Matthew looked troubled. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing and everything.” He sighed. “I need to figure things out.”
“Be careful. Call if you need me. I’ll come.”
“I know you will.” He caressed her cheek. “Now go home. You have a long weekend ahead of you if you’re taking Jenn home to your family.”
“You said it.”
She drove away. But she couldn’t stop thinking about the worry on Matthew’s face.
And what it might mean.
