Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“For now, we play nice and keep this aboveboard,” Hunter insisted. “EM Security will handle the investigation into those missing women, end of story. But if the trail leads you to Benedict, we’ll start sorting his dirty laundry. Quietly, mind you. He can’t know.”
Nash huffed, resigning himself to navigating the situation with kid gloves—at least for the time being. Looking for angles and ulterior motives was second nature to him, but he couldn’t deny the urgency of this case. Five young women had gone missing under very suspicious circumstances from the same spot in the last handful of months—and since powerful players were doing their damnedest to keep that buried, Nash suspected the case would be rough.
Under his online alias, he’d have to be careful about feeding Haisley and her inquisitive spirit too many details. The last thing Nash wanted was to put her in harm’s way, especially if this case turned as insidious as his gut warned. She was clever—sometimes too much. She loved to snoop and dig, so he’d have to keep her part of the investigation chewing on theories and information while she stayed safely at home. Unfortunately, he couldn’t shake the worry that she might push to get deeper. Or worse, start her own investigation.
“Understood,” he said at length. “What are my marching orders?”
“Report to Benedict’s office at ten hundred tomorrow for briefing and standby. I’m slotting Ethan to partner with you. He needs the experience of dealing with difficult clients and not just saying fuck you to authority all the time. I’m counting on you to make sure he doesn’t trip over his own dick out there.”
A reluctant grin tugged at Nash’s mouth. No surprise that Hunter wanted him to babysit Ethan. His housemate had slowly become a friend, but Nash knew the kid’s weaknesses. One of them was his short temper, especially when he perceived injustice…or when someone in a position of power tried to tell him what to do. He could balance Ethan. And together, they’d proven that, despite bending the rules occasionally, they got results.
“Roger that.”
“I need you to listen.” Hunter’s insistent bark pulled Nash from his musings. “This must be an airtight op. We’ll be dealing with the press and some powerful people in this town. No deviating from protocol or pulling that shady, back-alley shit you two loose screws seem to favor.”
Nash held back a mirthless chuckle. So much for operational flexibility. “I read you loud and clear, boss. We’ll be model fucking Boy Scouts.”
“Sure you will.” The muffled sound of feminine sarcasm filtered through. No doubt that was Hunter’s wife, Kata.
“I’m serious,” Hunter insisted. “Handle this clean and by the book, or there will be hell to pay.”
“We’re on it.”
Hunter ended the call with a grunt of a goodbye, leaving Nash alone once more with his swirling thoughts. He strode toward the bathroom for a much-needed, scalding-hot shower. If today was his last day off before the grim case started sucking up most of his time, he wanted to see Haisley.
They had some talking to do.
If she gave him a chilly reception, he wouldn’t be daunted. He’d simply drop in to her CSI online group as JasperThePrivateDick and engage her about theories. No doubt, she’d already started sifting through whatever information she could find. Besides, now that he’d be working this case, might as well start piecing together what information he could.
As the pounding stream rinsed away the residue of his earlier workout, Nash steeled his resolve. One way or another, he would unravel the secrets behind the disappearances of these women while rekindling his connection with Haisley. He wouldn’t quit, wouldn’t stop, wouldn’t give up until everything was right.
And no offense to Hunter, but whatever rules Nash had to bend—or outright break—to make it happen… Well, like always, he’d do what needed to be done.
Haisley smoothed her hand over her sleek black skirt as she strode into the historic building in downtown Lafayette, hoping her nerves didn’t show. Today marked a fresh start for her, a chance to establish herself professionally in her hometown. Her new employer might deal in land acquisition, development, and maintenance, but their online presence was somewhere between old school and nonexistent. It needed a strategic overhaul and a fresh approach. She was determined to give it to them and up her own stock in the process.
The expansive lobby, a blend of old and new world charm, gleamed with polished marble and glass, providing an air of understated luxury. Haisley drew in a steadying breath and approached the curved reception desk where a stylishly dressed young woman offered her a warm smile.
“Good morning.”
“Hi, I’m Haisley Rowe.” She repositioned her purse strap higher on her shoulder. “I’m starting with Benedict Land Development today.”
The receptionist’s smile brightened. “Mr. Benedict is expecting you. Take the elevator to the fourth floor. I’ll call up there and let someone know you’re coming.”