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“Now you’re starting to freak me out.”
“Says the guy who can peek on anyone through their webcam,” Finn muttered.
“Hey, that’s a line I don’t cross unless I have to.”
Finn put the phone on speaker and tossed the device on the bed. He pulled off his shirt and trekked to his open suitcase with clothes spilling out of it. Sorting through the mess, he found a cotton tank top and pulled it on.
Nolan’s voice filled the room. “So what’s your plan? You’ve stalked—”
“Observed.”
“Fine. You’ve observed her for three days. When do you make your move?”
“I already have.”
“You did?” Nolan squawked. “What did she say? Has she seen Kross yet? Has he contacted her? Did you set up a meeting point?”
“We didn’t get a chance to talk that deeply and even if we had, she didn’t seem inclined to share.”
“You scowled at her, didn’t you?” Nolan moaned in frustration. “You always do that. You’ve got to stop glaring at everything and smile more. Use the face God gave you for some good.”
“It’s not just me. She goes quiet around men in general.” He stared at the wall, recalling all he’d seen of Jewel’s habits. “At first I thought she was just shy, but she doesn’t seem to have a problem with women. Her boss and these two other ladies visit almost everyday and she opens up to them.”
“So you’re doomed.”
“Not really. The men her friends are dating get a warmer response. I’m confident she’s not as timid when she’s around a male she trusts.”
“So you’ve just got to gain her trust.”
“Exactly.” Finn nodded.
“Poor thing. Can you imagine being afraid of half the world population? Mr. Scope must have wrecked her up,” Nolan muttered.
“Mr. Scope?”
“It’s what I’m calling Kross. From what I can tell, he has a condition similar to scopophilia. It’s a disorder where people find intense sexual pleasure in looking at nude bodies or x-rated photos. Except he’s the reverse. He likes making love to different women while his muse watches.”
A hot brand seared Finn’s heart.
Courtney hadn’t been the criminal’s muse.
She’d been his victim.
Finn still remembered identifying her body, watching the finger-shaped bruises around her neck. He hadn’t cried, hadn’t mourned. He wouldn’t allow himself the luxury until her murderer was behind bars or dead.
Nolan cleared his throat. “If Jewel is this fragile, there’s no telling what she’ll do if she finds out you were only using her to get to the perp. You sure this is a good idea?”
“It’s the only one I’ve got.” Finn grunted.
“I guess there’s no harm in trying. You’ll have to get close to her before you can even think of betraying her and we both know how rusty your people skills are. I don’t know how Tiff puts up with you and your sulky behind.”
Finn ignored the rib about Tiffany and said, “Her boss is getting married tomorrow and she invited me. Jewel should be there. I’m planning on talking to her then.”
“Good luck.”
“Yeah.” Finn ended the call and plunked his phone on the nightstand. After setting the alarm to wake him up early the next morning, he grabbed the bottle of pills and shoved two down his throat, chasing it back with a bottle of water.
Silence crept into the room as he lowered himself into bed and stared at the ceiling, reviewing all he’d learned of Jewel today.
