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“Which are?”
“Firstly, I don’t believe they actually intend on carrying through with their threats and secondly, I’m guessing they are doing this just to put you on edge.”
“You can’t know that for sure.”
“I can’t, but I’ve seen threatening letters before and by the thirteenth one they’ve evolved a little. Either the person sending these is unsure how to progress, or they are just playing a game with your emotions.”
“So, you think I’m overreacting?”
I fix her with a hard expression, and she shrugs. “No. You did the right thing and, of course, you must always be on your guard. There are some seriously weird people out there and your money is like a red flag to those who have none.”
“So, it’s my money they hate.”
“Doubtful.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re not exactly the friendliest guy on the planet, and I’m guessing you make more enemies than friends.”
“So, what’s the plan?”
She scrunches up her nose again, which delivers a powerful blow to my unguarded heart and says thoughtfully, “I will resume my search of your personnel files. I need to learn who you dismissed, reprimanded, and hired. I must discover who holds a grudge against you and eliminate them one by one from the list.”
“Good luck with that. It’s a long one.”
She shrugs and then fixes those gorgeous eyes on mine, and I’m suddenly very hot.
“Girlfriends. I need to know who they are, were and their addresses. Friends too. It could be someone close to you, it usually is, and I need to hear of any acrimonious splits or erratic behaviour that you have witnessed.”
Now I’m extremely uncomfortable because the list of casual hook ups is long and I’m already picturing the disapproval heading my way when she learns what a player I am.
Suddenly, I’ve lost my appetite and, pushing my plate away, I say irritably, “We should go.”
“Not until you’ve washed the dishes. It’s only fair as I made breakfast.”
“Then it’s a good job I have a housekeeper who does that for me. Shall we go?”
I stand before she can tell me what a waste of air I am and head for the door on a mission. This is not working out well for me at all because the only thing I want to do with my day is Detective Constable Jessica Taylor.
CHAPTER15
JESSICA
He was silent on the journey, and I wonder if I’ve irritated him. I wouldn’t be surprised. I have a habit of doing that and as we head through the security entrance, I don’t miss the surprised glances of the people we pass. I’m not sure this was such a good idea because I know how things work in places like this and I’m guessing we will be breaking news by morning coffee.
To make matters worse, Robert stops at the entrance to the store where we will part company for the day and says loud enough for anyone nearby to hear, “Have a good day, darling. Come and find me at one for lunch. There’s a great little bistro nearby you will love.”
To my horror, he stops and before I know what’s happening, he reaches out and pulls me towards him and drops a soft kiss on my lips and whispers, “That should do it.”
He winks as he pulls away and heads through the door to the shop floor, leaving me speechless behind him.
I turn to see if anyone was looking and my heart sinks when I catch the eye of a group of women hovering nearby. The envy on their faces annoys me more than it should, causing me to glare at them before spinning on my heels and heading to personnel where I intend to hide for most of the day.
To be honest, I am fuming at a public display of affection that most certainly wasn’t required. Why did he do that and if he thinks I’m meeting him for a bistro lunch, he’s got another thing coming?
I am beyond angry that he has made us the subject of gossip, unnecessarily in my opinion, and as I stomp to personnel, the guarded expression of Mrs Armstrong doesn’t improve my mood.
“Jessica.” She says it with fear in her voice and I say irritably, “Good morning, Mrs Armstrong, I need to resume my investigations. Please don’t disturb me.”
