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Cassie felt like a scolded child. “What I meant to say,” she continued through gritted teeth, “is that I can’t help you. I’m already gainfully employed. I don’t think I have time for any extracurricular activities.”
Somehow, Palmer kept smiling even while the corners of his mouth turned down in a scowl. “Perhaps I’m overstepping here, but you seemed to have time for extracurricular activities in Charlotte. You did, after all, successfully expose a corrupt senator in addition to solving his son’s murder and bringing down a dirty cop in the process. You have quite a talent for solving mysteries, Ms. Quinn.”
“Is that what you want from me? To solve a mystery?”
“Of sorts.” Palmer opened his briefcase and brought out a checkbook. He scribbled his signature, tore the single piece of paper from the margin, then held it out to Cassie. “This is for you.”
She took the check. A hundred grand. It nearly slipped from her fingers. “Nothing in life is free.” She looked up. If she hadn’t distrusted him before, she did now. “What’s this for?”
“Think of it as an advance.” He pulled a stack of papers out of his briefcase. “I’ll need you to sign a contract. You can deposit the check. Once it goes through, and you’re satisfied with the transaction, we can discuss details. You’ll get another check when you accept your first job.”
“You still haven’t told me what you want.”
Palmer closed his briefcase. Set the papers to the side. Folded his hands before him. “Apex is a large machine, Ms. Quinn, with a lot of moving parts. Sometimes those parts get misplaced. We’d like you to help us find them.”
She didn’t bother keeping the disgust from her voice. “You’re talking about people.”
“Yes.”
“What makes you think I can find them?”
“Your track record.” Palmer leaned forward. She could see his pupils dilate with excitement. “Senator Grayson in Charlotte. Noah McLaughlin before that. Dr. Langford and William Baker before that.” He shivered gleefully. “That one was particularly gruesome. You’ve impressed me.”
She set her disgust to the side for a moment. “How do you know all this?”
“We keep tabs on people with incredible potential. People we think could make a difference in the world.”
“I do make a difference.” Her own conviction surprised her. “I don’t need you for that.”
“Of course not.” Palmer’s smile shrank to a humbler size. “I wasn’t implying you did. I only meant that, with our help, you could do even more.”
Cassie looked down at the check. She lived in relative comfort, but she’d be lying if she didn’t admit the house could use a few more repairs. It’d need a new roof in the next couple years, and that wasn’t cheap. This was apparently just the beginning. With enough money, she could make sure her parents had an easy retirement. She could help Laura pay off her student loans. It’s not like California was a cheap place to live, either.
“No.”
The word was out of her mouth before she realized it had escaped. It was the only acceptable answer, but it still surprised her how easily it had formed on her tongue. This money was life-changing, yet she felt no remorse in ripping the check in half and handing it back to Palmer.
“Money is not an issue.” He poised his pen over his checkbook. “We can double that amount. Triple it, even, after your first job.”
“No.”
“What will it take, Ms. Quinn?” There was no hint of a threat in Palmer’s voice, and yet the atmosphere of the room shifted. “Name your price.”
“I’m not interested.”
“May I ask why?”
A polite question. She had a rude answer. But she knew she couldn’t tell Palmer the truth. Apex had already proven to be resourceful. The company clearly had endless amounts of money. And plenty of human resources. They’d put Grayson on track to become president. They’d encouraged a veteran detective to risk throwing his career away for the chance to join their organization, and when he’d failed, they’d thrown him under the bus without blinking an eye.
“I don’t need a reason.” Cassie stepped to the side, gesturing to the door. “I’m working. This was an inappropriate time and place for your solicitation.”
Palmer finally lost his smile. Even pretended to look humbled. “You’re right. I apologize.” He placed the torn check inside his briefcase. Then the contract. He snapped the buckles closed. Stood. Walked to the door and stopped. Produced his card. “Please think about my offer. Apex believes we can do a lot of good together. Help a lot of people. I know that’s important to you. I hoped the money would be an incentive. Now I see I’ve offended you.”
“No, you haven’t.” She wasn’t sure why she was trying to make him feel better. “It’s fine.”
“Thank you.” He placed the card in her hand. “Please call me if you change your mind. You’re an incredible person, Ms. Quinn. With extraordinary talents. The world could use more people like you.”
Cassie watched as Palmer left the room and made his way to the exit. She felt bad about the way she’d handled their encounter before she reminded herself who he represented. If she believed Mannis—and she did—then everything they did was part of the act. She hadn’t offended Palmer; she’d frustrated him. He wasn’t apologizing; he was manipulating her into feeling guilty. Worse yet, he wasn’t leaving her to decide on her own; he was waiting for another opportunity to present itself.
