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He sensed a lot of sadness had permeated the space and felt sympathy for his new friend – at least he hoped they’d be friends. Especially after what they’d gone through together.
Seeing it through compassionate eyes and knowing the condo had been leased to Loretta’s father for the last few years, he didn’t observe much of a female’s imprint. He’d found after delving into her background that she’d quit her job months ago, given up her own rental, and had come to look after her dad when he’d tested positive for lung cancer.
Wandering over to the framed picture that sat close to the older chair, he saw an image of the family of three, young Loretta smiling happily, her braces obvious. Both parents beamed with loving pride as they hugged together. Beau could see clearly that she’d come from a happy home at one time. Though he hadn’t wanted to snoop too deeply into her past, for some reason it felt wrong, he knew her mother had passed before her father.
A sound behind him made him put down the photograph and turn. Loretta had pulled her hair into a ponytail on top of her head and wisps flew around her face. She’d also donned a fluffy housecoat in pale blue which highlighted her vivid eyes. The same ones shooting sparks at his inclination for making himself at home by snooping.
“Don’t let me interrupt, nosy parker.”
“I can’t help it. It’s my training. Same as you Miss FBI profiler.”
Loretta twirled to face him. “How did you find out?” Shrugging, as if her sudden reaction shouldn’t have happened, she moved over to the boiling pot and poured the water into the coffee maker, plunging it carefully.
“That you’re Special Agent Loretta Page, formerly working as a profiler in San Francisco? Pure luck. Do you remember an old Quantico cohort of yours, Joyce Sager”
“Sure, how is she?”
“Married and six months pregnant.”
“Aha, off limits to a playboy like you. Far as I remember, she’s a sweetheart and gorgeous at the same time.”
“Never noticed.” Beau ignored the one outing he’d gone on years earlier with the woman. She’d been a nice girl, looking for a forever relationship. Not his style. After that, they’d only been together in group parties, or after work drinking gatherings usually held when they’d break a big case.
“Right. Not only are you nosy, your blind too. Find that hard to believe.”
“Why?”
“I’ve seen you in action, remember?”
His grin slid off his face, and he moved forward to reach for the steaming mug she held out.
“Want cream or sugar?”
“No, thanks.” He took a sip and groaned with gratitude. “This is delicious, nothing like the sludge they serve at work. Thanks.”
She led the way to the table and curled into her seat, motioning him to take the one across. “So… you found me. Are you here to rehash what happened yesterday?”
“No. Well, yes. Actually, I never got the chance to tell you how much I appreciated you being there. My goddaughter has done nothing but sing your praises and insists I bring you to her house for dinner so she can thank you personally.”
“That’s not necessary. I wouldn’t dream of making her folks cook me a meal – not that I wouldn’t enjoy eating something besides my own disgusting specimens.”
“Who said they’d be cooking? They have a housekeeper/cook and Nina’s brilliant. If I were you, I’d accept their invitation.”
He felt her eyes on him, drilling deep, and he admitted, “Okay, so I get to eat too. Don’t make me beg.” Using his beseeching look as best he could, he reiterated, “I will if I have to, and it isn’t pretty.”
Laughing, she sneered. “Yeah, like you need an invitation. I make you as the type who drops in just at mealtime.”
“Busted.” He was enjoying himself so much, he hated to change to the serious topic hovering between them. He could see she knew he had more to say, and her waiting expression let him know she’d get it out if him sooner or later.
“Fine.” He decided to play dumb about his knowledge of her situation. “I also came to ask you if you’re working at the moment or if you might have some time to come in on this case. The mayor is riding my ass to do whatever it takes to get those two kids to talk. As you might have figured, both are staying close-mouthed and won’t say anything.”
Now he had her attention. “Did you find out that I’d been on my way to headquarters yesterday because I had an appointment with HR to talk about a position? I’d pretty much decided to stick around Houston and would need a permanent job.”
“Great! You’re hired.” He watched her expression go cloudy and decided to ask, “Thought you worked at a restaurant near here? What’s it called again… oh right, the Best Bar and Grill.”
“I do. And they’ll need my resignation so they can find a replacement before I make any changes.”
“We can take care of that.”
