The hairs on her arm stiffened. “Great.” She sat in the chair across from him and clutched her bracelet.
“Good news first. We put your home back together the best we could.”
“Much appreciated.” She swallowed. “There’s bad news?”
“We couldn’t lift any prints. Not a damn one, which surprised me since there was so much destruction.” His cell phone rang and he silenced it.
Her thundering heartbeat calmed.I’ve bought myself a little more time.“Thanks for everything, Tucker.” She popped up.
Leaning back, he crossed his legs. “Now sugar, burglars don’t stop to scribble messages in soap or drape intimate apparel on a bed. They grab what they can and they’re outta there. Since nothing was taken, and no other homes in your neighborhood were hit, I’m lookin’ to you to help me, darlin’.”
“Nope, sorry, Tucker. Wish I could.”
He pushed off the cushion. “Slow down there. You went out of your way to eliminate evidence. Sometimes we anger someone without realizin’ it. Old boyfriend with a grudge?”
A chill careened down her spine. “No one comes to mind.”
He rested a hand on his hip. “What about a client who lost money on an investment that went belly-up, and blamed you?”
Or a killer who got prison time for a crime he didn’t commit.“I’ll give it some thought and let you know.” With his eyes pinned on hers, he remained quiet. “Thanks, Tucker. Really, I’ll let you know.” Taking sideways steps, she meandered toward her door.
Rubbing the back of his neck, he followed. “How are things goin’ here?”
“You ask a lot of questions.” Out of the corner of her eye, Colton appeared in her doorway.
“Yeah, second nature, but my last question was me makin’ small talk, darlin’.”
“Uh-huh. Your cousin keeps me busy.”
“I do.” Colton strolled in and stood so close their arms touched. “You two make any headway?”
Even more than his arm pressed against hers, Colton’s inner strength and confidence bolstered her spirits. When she looked into his eyes, she calmed down a little. Maybe things would be okay if she stayed near him.
“Brigit’s going to holler if she thinks of anyone she coulda ticked off,” Tucker said. “Angry client, ex-boyfriend, that kinda thing.”
Chad came charging into Brigit’s office. “Hey, Tucker, sorry I couldn’t talk when I buzzed you in. Stay for happy hour and catch me up on the latest in surveillance.”
“Sure thing,” Tucker said.
Chad turned toward Colton. “I’ve got the information you’ve been waiting for.”
Tucker’s phone rang and he glanced at the screen. “Gotta take this. Somethin’ smells damn good. I’m followin’ my nose.” Moseying out, he answered. “Hey, Mac, whad’ya find out?”
“I have confirmation Bob Dobb is Francesco’s snitch,” Chad said. “He and Montgomery worked together at MobiCom. Shortly after you took Francesco public, Dobb jumped ship. He went from an underperforming sales manager at MobiCom to a superstar at Francesco. Dobb won several key accounts away from MobiCom. It would appear MobiCom handed over the business to make Dobb look good.”
A low growl rumbled from Colton’s throat, the air electric with his anger. “That son of a bitch has been feeding Montgomery information about the innovation from the get-go.” He pulled his cell phone from his pants pocket and dialed. “Marjorie needs to be warned.” Phone to ear, he waited. “No, I didn’t hear the news. I’m calling you with information.”
As he listened, Brigit studied his chiseled features. Even with his jaw set in a hard line, and his eyes jet black with anger, he remained in command and in complete control.
“Brigit and Chad are with me.” He pressed his speaker button. “Tell them.”
“Francesco’s board voted against the merger!” Marjorie cleared her raspy throat.
“Great news,” Brigit said.
“Enjoy the moment because it’s going to be short-lived,” Colton said. “In light of what Chad confirmed, we’ve not heard the last of Montgomery.”
“What did Sherlock Holmes dig up?” Marjorie asked.
