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He straightened and swiped his nose. “Just fell into it.”
“And the combo of the two?”
He rubbed his hand along his thigh. “While investigating cases, I noted that a lot of thefts, break-ins, and intrusions could have been prevented with a more sophisticated security system.”
“And you knew how to make them?”
He glanced in the rearview mirror and then over to her. “I studied it enough that I started consulting. After some time, I installed the upgrades myself. But that’s only a small portion of what I do.” He glanced in the mirror again.
She turned to look over her shoulder. “What is it?”
“Nothing. I just thought I ...”
“You ... ?”
“It’s nothing,” he said, but his lingering attention in the mirror said otherwise.
She glanced back one more time, then turned toward him, her attention back on the case. “I didn’t get a chance to ask Tad about his missing fob before the call about his other gallery came in. That’s first on my list when we arrive.”
“No need.” He glanced in the mirror again.
She shifted. Seriously? What was up? “Is something wrong? Someone following us?” That would be a first.
“There’s a white SUV about a half mile back. I can only see it on the straightaways, which are few and far between.”
“This is a two-lane road,” she said, curious at the intensity in his eyes. “I imagine it could look like anyone is following us.”
“True.” He clamped the wheel. “But I noticed the vehicle in the diner lot as we drove past.”
She squinted as the sun beamed off the windshield. She pulled her sunglasses out of her bag. “You’re quite observant.”
“PI.” He shrugged.
She wondered what the profession was like. What he was like. There was something enticing about him that made her curious, but she wasn’t following that inclination, period.
“Do you really think he or they are following us?” she asked, turning and resting her weight against the back of the seat.
“We’ll find out.”
Before she could ask what he meant, he banked hard right. Now, instead of running parallel to the trees and lush forests, he pulled into the midst of them.
Reaching a small dirt road, he once again banked hard right ... pulled up about ten yards, then made a U-turn. The Bronco rocked to a stop as her heart thudded. Anticipation roiled through her limbs, her hands no longer clammy—now everything was hot.
Dust billowed on the road. Someone was coming.
SEVEN
THE SOUND OF AN ENGINE GROWLED,and then a blue minivan bumped across the rutted dirt road that crossed by theirs.
Andi looked over at Christian. Nervous laughter, yearning to be released, bubbled in her throat, but she kept the pressure inside.
“Huh,” he said. “I guess I was wrong.” Again, with the casual reaction.
Christian shifted the vehicle in gear, pulled back onto the road, and followed it out to the highway.
She couldn’t help looking back, but there was no white SUV in sight. “So,” she said, resituating herself, “you were saying something about Tad and his missing fob.”
“Right. ... Mind if I crack the window some? It’s so nice out.”
