Wyatt took his time getting them to the police station, wanting to give his contact a chance to get there ahead of him and smooth the way. Fortunately, there was a fair amount of Saturday morning beach traffic, so he didn’t have to try that hard to go slow.
When they arrived at the station, almost forty-five minutes had passed since his text. Hopefully that was enough time.
As Avery got out of the car, she looked grimly determined but not very happy.
“Still want to do this?” he asked.
“I feel like I should.”
He had a feeling this was a woman who always did what she thought she should do. “Then let’s do it.”
When they checked in at the counter in the lobby, he made sure to give his name as well as Avery’s. A moment later, a uniformed officer came into the room. The man asked Avery to wait and then escorted him down a hall and into a conference room.
When he stepped inside the room, he was surprised to see a friendly and familiar face. The beautiful brunette with the sharp, always insightful, green eyes, was one of his closest friends, not just at the bureau but in life. He’d met Bree Adams at Quantico, and through the years, they’d saved each other’s life more than once.
“Bree, what are you doing here?” He looked around, making note of the fact that they were not in an interrogation room. “Where’s Flynn?”
“Don’t worry. We’re cool,” Bree said, reading his expression. “As far as the police know, I’m meeting with you to find out what happened at Ms. Price’s apartment this morning. Flynn contacted Special Agent Joanna Davis, who gave me a brief read-in on your situation. She’s meeting with the homicide detectives now to inform them we’ll be handling the investigation going forward.”
“Good.” He was pleased that Flynn had brought Joanna in. She could be the public face of the investigation. Since Joanna had already spoken to Hamilton months ago, it would make sense for her to be involved again. “It’s the right move. Nova Star is aware that the bureau is concerned about a spy in their ranks. With Noelle Price’s murder, the company won’t be surprised that they’re back on the hot seat, but as long as they don’t know I’m working from the inside, we’re good.”
“Joanna said you’re on a specialized task force run by Flynn MacKenzie. That shocked me. You and Flynn were intense rivals at Quantico.”
He saw the speculation in her eyes and shrugged. “Things change. I liked the job he was offering, so I took it.”
“How’s the investigation going?”
“Not as quickly as I would like. We haven’t had a lot to go on until now. Noelle’s murder has definitely raised the stakes.”
Bree nodded. “I’ve been wondering ever since I saw you at the beach before Thanksgiving if I would run into you again, or if you would try to contact me, but it’s been very quiet the last month.”
“I was about to go under with Nova Star when I saw you there, and you weren’t alone.”
“No. I was with Nathan, and I figured you were undercover. You look better than you did then. You got rid of the beard.”
“I had to clean up my act for my job in security. I’m a suit and tie guy now, at least during the week. What about you? You’re working for Joanna?”
“Yes. After everything that went down in Chicago, I needed a change, and I’ve always wanted to live at the beach. I’m not sure I love the work yet; it’s been more administrative than I like, but on the other hand, it’s a nice break from the emotionally intense drama of working with missing children.”
“I know you had a rough time in Chicago. I’m glad things worked out.” He paused. “Or did they? The kid…your kid…” He let his words slip away. He might be friends with Bree, but he didn’t know how much she wanted him to know.
“She doesn’t know anything yet,” Bree said quickly. “Someday, but not now. It’s easier being here in California. I keep in touch, but I’m not right there wondering what she’s doing every second. Plus, I’m with Nathan, and I get to run by the sea every morning. It’s not bad.”
He smiled, noting the genuine happiness in her eyes. “It sounds good, and Joanna is lucky to have you.”
“I’m not sure she feels that way. She didn’t recruit me, and she still remembers me as being on the Quantico team that screwed up and got Jamie Rowland killed. Not that she says that out loud, but I feel her judgment.”
“That had nothing to do with you.”
“I know. Hopefully, she’ll eventually get past all that old history, and realize I’m a seasoned agent now. Anyway, what can you tell me about this morning?” Bree asked. “You went to the homicide victim’s apartment?”
“Yes, and I ran in to her best friend there—Avery Caldwell. I also ran into a masked gunman. Fortunately, I got a look at his face. Unfortunately, he got away.”
“What can you tell me about him?”
“Caucasian male, mid-thirties, beard, brown hair and eyes, scar over the right eyebrow and the Roman numerals MMX—2010 tattooed on his neck—could be a gang initiation date.”
“Why was Ms. Caldwell at the apartment? Does she know something about the murder?”
“No, but she’s trying to figure out who killed her friend.”
“You need to get her out of this, Wyatt.”
“Too late for that. I’m concerned that not only was she at Noelle’s side when she died, she also got a look at the guy in the apartment this morning. She could be in danger. I’m going to stay close. I have this feeling she’s the key to something—I just don’t know what. She’s also tight with the Tremaines, and while I’ve developed a relationship with Hamilton, I’ve had little access to his sons, his daughter, or their spouses. Since Avery’s father is living with Whitney Tremaine, Avery is in the immediate family circle. She might be able to help me.”
“Or she could turn them against you.”
“It’s a risk, but I’m not worried about that right now.”
“What does Hamilton Tremaine think about Ms. Price’s murder?”
“He’d like to believe her death has nothing to do with his company. In fact, he’d like me to prove that. I’ve managed to become a valuable confidant. We share Marine stories.”
Bree smiled. “Are you making those up?”
“I actually used one Jamie and Damon told me about from their Army days.”
“Always thinking on your feet.”
“It’s what keeps me alive.”
“I heard about the sting you set up to get into Nova Star. Jim Abrams is pissed you broke his nose.”
He gave a faint smile. “Not intentional. I thought he was better at ducking.”
She smiled back at him. “I’m glad we’re going to work together, even if it’s from afar. One of these days, I want you to meet Nathan. He’s very important to me.”
“I’d like to meet him sometime.”
“Before you go…” She jotted a number on the back of her card. “I know you’re working through Flynn, but in case you ever need anything unofficially…I just got this number.”
“Thanks.” As he put her card into his wallet, the conference room door opened.
Joanna Davis walked into the room. Dressed in a slim black skirt and black blazer over a silky blouse, her short, straight blonde hair framing her face, she looked both sophisticated and professional. Joanna was in her early forties, a divorcee who had been at the bureau for fifteen years.
He respected Joanna, but she was one of only a handful of people who could make him uncomfortable. She was too flirtatious and a bit of a man-eater, both on the job and in her personal life, and he preferred to spend as little time as possible with her.
Fortunately, he worked for Flynn, not for Joanna, so while she might be Flynn’s boss, they had little contact with each other, and that’s the way he preferred it.
“Wyatt, you look good,” she said, her gaze raking his body. “I’ve been wondering when we’d run into each other. I didn’t think it would be here.”
“What happened with Detective Larimer?”
“He’s standing down. We’re in charge now. I’ll inform Mr. Tremaine of that fact as well.”
“That will simplify matters.”
“Well, I live to simplify things for you,” she drawled, sarcasm in her tone. “I understand Mr. Tremaine is giving you more responsibility and access. Is that true?”
“It is. He has even asked me to keep an eye on his sons’ activities.”
“So, while he tells the FBI there’s nothing to see where his sons are concerned, you’re hearing a different song?”
“Yes. Hamilton is an idealist, a dreamer, but he’s also a smart man. While he doesn’t want to believe anyone close to him would sell him out, he’s not stupid. He may not want to work with the bureau, but he’s determined to find out if someone in his company is a mole.”
“Good.”
“I need to go. I don’t want to leave Avery alone in the lobby too long. She might try to talk to the cops and confuse things. Thanks again for the help here.”
“Once this is over, we’ll catch up,” Joanna said. “I’d like to hear about what else you’ve been doing the past several years.”
“Sounds good,” he said, seeing a teasing light lurking in Bree’s eyes. Bree and his other friends had been well aware of Joanna’s interest in him at Quantico.
After leaving the conference room, he found Avery pacing around the lobby, a worried look on her face.
“Did you tell them what happened?” she asked immediately.
“Yes. We can go.” He put his hand against the small of her back and pushed her gently toward the door.
“What do you mean?” she asked in surprise. “I don’t need to answer any questions?”
“Nope. We’re good.”
“They don’t want to talk to me?”
“I told them everything we knew.”
“And that’s it?”
“That’s it.”
She gave him a suspicious look as they left the station, but she kept walking until they got to his car. Then she stopped.
“Okay, seriously, what’s going on, Wyatt? Why did they want to speak to you alone? Why wasn’t I questioned? I’m Noelle’s friend.”
“And I run security for Nova Star, where Noelle was employed. I knew the information they needed to proceed, and I gave it to them.”
“And they didn’t care that neither one of us was supposed to be in the apartment?”
“I wouldn’t say they didn’t care, but we’re not under suspicion.” He opened the door for her, and she reluctantly got in.
He walked around the car and slid behind the wheel. “I’ll take you home now.”
“I still don’t get it,” she said a few moments later. “Something is off.” She shot him a suspicious look. “I think you’re lying to me, Wyatt.”
“What do you think I’m lying about? If the police wanted to talk to you, don’t you think they would have called you in? I wasn’t stopping anyone from doing that. You were sitting in the lobby.”
“You also weren’t gone that long.”
“There wasn’t a lot to say. I know you’re on edge—”
“On edge does not begin to describe how I feel. You may be looking into this on behalf of Nova Star, but Noelle was my friend. She meant something to me. This isn’t just a case to me. She was an important person in my life.”
“I understand, which is why I told the police what we both knew so you wouldn’t have to go through it again.”
“And Detective Larimer was really okay with that?”
“It wasn’t his choice. There was a special agent from the FBI there.”
“Wait a second—the FBI was there? Why?”
“They didn’t say; they just informed me that they’re taking over the case.”
“But that doesn’t make sense.”
He shrugged. “Like I said, they didn’t feel it necessary to explain their actions to me. But the good news is that we have more people looking for answers and for justice for Noelle.”
“Well, that’s true. I’m sure the FBI will have more resources than the local police.”
“Exactly. Now, you can go home and catch your breath, the way you wanted to.”
“I would like to do that,” she admitted. “I need a minute or two to regroup. And then I have to start making calls.”
“Do you want to give me your address?” He actually already knew where she lived, but realized he was about to give that away.
She started. “Oh, sorry. Yes. You’re actually going in the right direction. I live in Hermosa Beach. 312 Taylor Avenue. It’s right off the 405.” She paused. “What do you think will happen next, Wyatt? Will the FBI be able to find the man in Noelle’s apartment based on his tattoo? You did tell them about the tattoo, didn’t you?”
“Yes, and it will hopefully give them a good lead.”
“Do you think that man is the same person who killed Noelle?”
“It’s possible.”
She let out a breath. “I was thinking that, too. The FBI has to find him.”
“If anyone can, they can.”
Several minutes later, he pulled up in front of a three-story apartment building, grabbing a parking spot not too far from the front door. He scanned the area for anything out of the ordinary, but all looked peaceful and quiet. It was possible the man from Noelle’s apartment did not know who Avery was, but he didn’t want to underestimate anyone.
“I’ll walk you up,” he said, as he turned off the engine.
“That’s not necessary.”
He ignored her comment, meeting her on the sidewalk. “After what happened at Noelle’s, I’m not letting you go in alone. You’re very important to my boss.”
“Why do you say that?” she asked curiously.
“He speaks very highly of you, Avery. He loves your passion for space. He says you’re one of the few people who really understands his vision. He also told me how you have helped him bring Nova Star to the masses with your educational outreach programs. He’s quite impressed with you.”
Wyatt had to admit he was fairly impressed with the beautiful astrophysicist as well, which seemed crazy, because geeky science girls were not usually his type. But there was something about Avery… He refused to let himself finish that thought. Avery was part of his job. He couldn’t forget that.
“Well, I’m impressed with Hamilton, too,” Avery said, as they entered her building and headed up the stairs. “He has never met a barrier he didn’t want to break down, or a challenge he couldn’t overcome, and I like that kind of bulldog tenacity. I also respect his brilliance and his big dreams. He’s the kind of person who changes the world. It’s inspiring to be around him.”
“How did you come to take the job with him?”
“Hamilton came to a lecture I gave at UCLA three years ago. He waited around afterward to speak to me and insisted I have coffee with him. He wanted to tell me about his company and how he needed someone like me to share his passionate love of space with the outside world. I was intrigued. He basically offered me a blank check to do whatever I wanted to do. I couldn’t turn that down, so, I said yes. I’ve never regretted it.” She paused in front of her door. “This is me.”
“Let me go in first,” he said, as she unlocked the door.
She waved him inside, and he made a quick scan of the small living room and adjacent kitchen area and then headed down the short hall to check out the bedroom and bath. Avery dogged his every step, staying close behind him as he opened the last remaining closet door.
Then she let out a heavy breath. “No one has been in here.”
“It doesn’t look like it. Everything is very neat.”
“I don’t like clutter. When I get stressed, I clean.”
“You must have cleaned this morning.”
“Actually, I didn’t stay here last night. I went to my mom’s house. But the last few weeks have been tense. With the upcoming satellite defense launch, there have been a lot more requests for educational information, which get siphoned through my department.”
He nodded, following her back into the living room.
While everything was very organized, the apartment was still warm and interesting and smart, he thought with a smile, noting the shelves laden with hardcover science books, the photographs of space on the walls, the colorful blanket tossed over the back of the couch, and the extremely old telescope by the window.
“Do you take this up on the roof?” he asked.
“Occasionally, but I don’t use that one very often. I got it when I was twelve. I have access to much better telescopes at work. Have you ever been out to Nova Star’s test facility in the desert?”
“Not yet.”
“The rooftop there affords some of the best viewing I’ve ever experienced. Are you interested in the stars?”
“Not really. When I look up for too long, I tend to trip over reality.”
“That can happen. I’ve been accused of having my head in the clouds, but space also gives me perspective. When I get too caught up in my day, I look up, and I realize how very, very small my life and my problems are. Although, today, they seem rather huge. Do you want something to drink?”
“I’d love some water,” he said, happy that she wasn’t eager to kick him out. He wasn’t ready to walk away yet—for multiple reasons, some that went beyond Noelle’s murder.
Avery took out two glasses, popped in some ice, and then filled them with water from a filtered spout on the outside of her refrigerator.
He took a seat at her small kitchen table, noting the organized pile of bills next to her checkbook. “I bet you actually balance this thing,” he said, as she handed him a glass.
She made a face at him. “I used to. I’ve gotten busy, and so much is direct deposit and online bill pay now but keeping track of my finances was a lesson my mother taught me early on. Money was tight when I was growing up. Before my father became a celebrity writer, he was fairly unsuccessful, and we were living off my mom’s teacher’s salary. My mother always had to make sure that we had our bills covered while my dad chased his big dreams.”
He heard the note of bitterness in her voice. “It seems like your father succeeded in achieving some of those dreams. From what I understand, he’s quite famous now.”
“Yes, because he created a male self-help bestseller called Meat, Sex, Sports—A Man’s Guide to Happiness.”
“That’s all it takes, huh?”
“Men are apparently fairly simple creatures,” she said dryly.
“And that book sold well?”
“Over five million copies. It also spawned a series of webinars and motivational talks, first for men, then spreading into the general public how to find happiness, peace, and success. My father has since written three other books on variations of that theme.” She took a sip of her water. “I’m happy that he found the success he wanted; I’m just not that impressed with his work. I’m an academic. I like substance, and my dad is all style and talk and not a lot else. He changes with the wind. You never really know who you’re going to get when he shows up.” She sighed. “I don’t know why we’re talking about him.”
“How do you feel about your father’s relationship with Whitney?”
“I hate it, but I can’t do anything about it.”
“Did you introduce them?”
“Yes, of course. He came to have lunch with me, and the next thing I know, we’re up in the executive suite. Now he has become entrenched with the Tremaines. He bought a big house in Calabasas, and Whitney moved in with him. I’m really afraid he’s going to mess things up for me. I know that sounds selfish, but I like my job, and I care a lot about the Tremaines. As Hamilton told you, he and I are kindred spirits when it comes to our interest in space.”
“What do you think about the upcoming launch on Tuesday? Is the satellite ready to defend itself? Or is Hamilton rushing under the pressure of his rivals?”
“I honestly don’t know. He could be pushing too hard. But that’s understandable since there are several companies hot on our heels. Do you have any idea how much activity on Earth is controlled and aided by satellites?”
“I’ve been getting a crash course on that subject the past month,” he said. “Hamilton likes to talk.”
“That he does—to anyone who will listen. Space is the new frontier; it’s the next battleground, Wyatt. Being able to defend our satellites is going to be hugely important. And being able to take down other weaponized satellites, missiles, rockets, etc., without creating space debris will also be a significant advancement.” She smiled. “But the general public is not as interested in the satellite as they are in the idea of Hamilton getting in the Star Gazer rocket ship one day and making a trip to Mars with some of his best friends. That’s the story that captures the imagination.”
“He tells me that could happen within the next five years. Do you agree?”
“We’re getting closer to the possibility of interplanetary travel. But five years is overly optimistic. I’d say fifteen is a better guess, but who knows?”
“Would you go to Mars?” he asked curiously.
“Get in a rocket and soar into the universe? I wish I could say yes,” she said with a yearning sigh. “I would love to be part of that, but I don’t have the guts.”
“Not even to see what you’ve spent your whole life learning about?”
“Big old coward,” she admitted. “I wish I wasn’t. I wish I was brave.”
“You were brave this morning.”
“No, that’s not true. I froze. I didn’t even try to help you when you were fighting with that man. I could have gone for the gun. I just stood there—paralyzed. I was lucky he didn’t go after me when he hit you with that drawer.”
“I should have seen that coming,” he said with a frown. “But don’t sell yourself short. You stood up to danger, and you’ve held it together since then.”
“Barely, but I probably shouldn’t admit that. I have a feeling an adrenaline crash is coming my way soon. You might want to get ready for that.”
He smiled at her endearing self-deprecation. “I will buckle up.”
“I just want answers, Wyatt. I want to know why Noelle is dead. I want to make sure someone pays for killing her. And while I understand why Hamilton wants to protect the company, Nova Star’s work is not more important than Noelle’s life. I hope you’re really trying to get to the truth and not cover it up.”
“That is what I’m trying to do,” he reassured her.
She didn’t look entirely convinced. “But your loyalty is to Hamilton.”
“Not at the expense of someone’s life.” He paused, thinking that he needed to give her a bit more information in order to get her to trust him. “I’ll let you in on a little secret; Hamilton doesn’t just want to protect his company, he’s also worried about his son, Jonathan.”
“Jonathan?” she echoed. “What does he have to do with any of this?”
“Jonathan had a drink with Noelle three nights ago at Steamers, a bar in the Pelican Point Hotel in Palos Verdes.”
“What?” she asked in surprise. “How do you know that?”
“I saw them.”
“You saw them together—just by chance?”
He ignored that question, going for one of his own. “Do you think Noelle and Jonathan could have been having an affair?”
“Jonathan is married, and Noelle has a boyfriend. I didn’t think they even knew each other. Are you sure it was her?”
“I am sure. It doesn’t seem like they would have business to discuss since they don’t work together.”
“No, they don’t.” She gave him an unhappy look. “What happened after this drink? Did they stay at the hotel?”
“They left in separate cars.”
“And you saw that, too? Were you following Noelle? Or Jonathan?”
“That’s not a question I can answer.”
“Why not?”
“Because it involves other issues at Nova Star I’m not cleared to speak about.”
“If those issues have to do with Noelle’s death—”
“I don’t know that they do,” he said quickly.
“But they might.” She pressed her fingers to her temples. “I’m getting a headache.”
“I realize this is tough, Avery. You don’t know me, and I’m asking you a lot of questions, but I am trying to help. Did Noelle ever say anything about Jonathan to you?”
She lifted her gaze to his. “She said he was attractive and funny. She admired him from afar. But that’s true of a lot of the women at Nova Star. Jonathan is personable and friendly. Everyone likes him.”
“Okay. But somehow Noelle, who was a Level 1 admin got close enough to the owner’s son to have a drink with him. How do you think that happened?”
“I don’t know, but Noelle’s job or educational level has never deterred her from getting a date. She has always been very attractive to men. Trust me, I went to enough bars with her to know that when she was in the room, it was like there was a spotlight on her. Men were drawn to her, and she didn’t even have to say a word. She just had this gleam in her eyes, this secret smile, that everyone wanted to explore.”
There wasn’t any jealousy in Avery’s tone, but he couldn’t help wondering what it would have felt like for Avery to have a friend who was always in the sun, while she was in the shadows. Although, maybe Avery had preferred that. Despite her proficiency at her job and her ability to speak to hundreds of people in a group, there was an innate sense of shyness about her, as if stepping into the light was no more in her comfort zone than going to Mars.
“I’m sure Jonathan just ran into her somewhere at the company,” Avery continued. “Maybe she told him she needed career advice or something. Or maybe he hit on her. I don’t know.”
“Would she go out with a married man?”
Avery hesitated. “She wasn’t a slut, Wyatt, but she did like men, and she didn’t consider sex to be that big of a deal.”
“I’m going to take that as a yes.”
She let out a heavy sigh. “Even if they were having an affair, what does that mean?” She paused. “Are you suggesting that Jonathan Tremaine could have something to do with this?”
“I don’t know. I’m looking for a motive. This wasn’t random. Someone wanted to kill Noelle.”
“If she was having an affair, Jonathan could have been afraid she’d tell his wife,” Avery said slowly.
“That’s one scenario,” he said, happy to let her throw out her theories first.
“Or her boyfriend could have found out she was cheating on him. But Carter doesn’t seem the angry type, and the person who killed Noelle…” She shook her head, biting down on her lip whatever she was remembering. “It was violent, Wyatt. It was personal. It felt like Noelle had betrayed someone.” She took a breath. “But if she and Jonathan weren’t personally involved, then their meeting had to have been about something else. You were following Jonathan for a reason that you don’t care to explain, so Noelle’s death might not have anything to do with an affair.” She rolled her head around her shoulders. “I feel like we’re going in circles. Nothing makes sense.”
“Not yet. But one thing is clear to me, and it should be clear to you. You’re in the middle of a very dangerous situation. You can identify the man in the apartment this morning. You were with Noelle last night. You heard her dying words.” He paused, seeing her face pale. “I know you’re a smart woman. You understand what I’m saying.”
“Yes, I do.”
Avery’s phone buzzed, and she jumped. As she looked at the number, the lines of tension around her eyes deepened. “It’s Noelle’s mom. I have to take this.”
He nodded. “Of course. But I’m not leaving you alone in this apartment, so I’ll be here.”
Avery didn’t reply as she took the phone with her into the bedroom. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Price,” she said, and then she closed the door.
Wyatt let out a breath, hoping he’d played his cards correctly. He usually didn’t share information, but Avery was sharp, and she was in danger, and his gut told him that the only way to gain her trust was to bring her into the problem—at least part of the problem.
Feeling restless, he got up and paced around the living room. The book Avery had taken out of Noelle’s apartment was on the coffee table. He picked it up, wondering if it was a clue. He read the inscription again, remembering what Avery had said earlier—that Noelle had dictated the words to her.
He’d never spoken to Noelle, but Avery’s deep affection for the woman had brought her alive in a way he had never expected. Even though his heart had iced over years ago, he felt a pang of sadness that such a bright woman was gone. He would find out who had killed her. He didn’t know if Avery would like the answer or if Noelle’s activities might hurt the people who loved her, but at least they’d get to the truth.
Flipping through the pages of the book, he wondered if by some small chance Noelle had jotted something down inside the book, but it was pristine. Nothing appeared altered in any way.
Taking a seat on the couch, he read through the introduction and then into the first few chapters. The book was for kids, but Avery had not dumbed anything down. Her passion for science and space rang through on every page, and he could only imagine how many children would be inspired to go into astrophysics or become astronauts after reading her story.
A few minutes later, he heard the shower go on. Avery must have finished her call. Maybe when she was done freshening up, he could encourage her to pack a bag and find another place to stay.
She’d probably fight him on that. She might think she was a coward, but when he looked at her, he saw a strong, capable, beautiful woman with a really big heart.
He would have liked to have met her away from the job. But that would have never happened. He was almost always on assignment, living a life that was not his own. That’s why he rarely had relationships with women. He had nights, sometimes the occasional weekend. But no one ever really knew the real him, and he never really knew them. It had worked well for the most part. But every now and then…
He shrugged off that wayward thought and tried not to think about Avery’s beautiful curves under a spray of hot water.
Thankfully, his phone rang, and he was relieved by the distraction. When he saw Hamilton Tremaine’s private number flash across his screen, he got his head back in the game.
“Tanner,” he said briskly.
“How is Avery?” Hamilton asked, genuine concern in his voice. “I was just informed by Special Agent Davis at the FBI that she was attacked this morning at Ms. Price’s apartment. Why didn’t you call me, Wyatt?”
“I haven’t had a second. Avery is fine. Unfortunately, the person involved got away. What else did Agent Davis have to say?”
“That the FBI is taking over the case because of Ms. Price’s employment at my company and the other incidents we’ve previously discussed. I don’t see how this woman could have been involved in any kind of sabotage or theft. From what I understand, her job was barely more than an administrative clerk. She didn’t have access to anything, and she only worked for us for a few months. In fact, I suspect, based on the resume I read, that she was only hired because of Avery’s influence. Unless…there’s something I don’t know?”
“I’m just beginning to dig into Ms. Price’s life. She did have a boyfriend at the company—Carter Hayes.”
“Yes. Mr. Hayes is a junior attorney in the patent department. Have you spoken to him?”
“Not yet. I’m most concerned about Avery right now. She can identify the man who almost shot her this morning, and I’m worried about her safety.”
“So am I,” Hamilton said with alarm. “You need to stay with her. I don’t want anything to happen to Avery. She’s very important to me. She’s not just an employee; she’s practically family.”
“I understand. And I intend to keep a close eye on her.”
“Good. Keep me updated. I want to know anything and everything as soon as you know it. I don’t like what’s going on. This break-in following the murder…disturbs me. Especially since you told me last night that Jonathan had a drink with Ms. Price several days ago. The FBI are going to jump on that like bees to honey, the same way they did with the death of that Chinese woman.”
“Did you ask him about his meeting with Ms. Price?”
“I haven’t been able to reach him. I’ve left several messages with his wife. But I’ll see him at dinner tomorrow night.”
“I know you’ve been reluctant to have me speak to Jonathan, but I think it’s important.”
“Not before I do,” Hamilton said firmly. “Once I hear what he has to say, we’ll discuss it.”
Hamilton was still protecting his son.
“But I know Jonathan,” Hamilton continued. “He didn’t kill that woman, whatever else he might have been doing with her. Someone is either continuing to frame him or he was just in the wrong place, wrong time. You need to find the real killer. Get the job done. I’m counting on you.”
“I will do my best,” he promised.
As he was about to put down his phone, a text appeared from Flynn MacKenzie. They rarely communicated, but apparently this was important.
There were only three words. Fire Courtyard Apartments.
A chill ran down his spine. He immediately got on the internet for more details, quickly coming across a breaking news story about a four-alarm fire at an apartment complex in Venice Beach. The entire building was engulfed in flames. Residents said it started quickly, some sort of explosion in a corner apartment.
His gut twisted. He knew exactly which apartment that was. Whatever hadn’t been found this morning was forever gone.
Avery came out of the bedroom a moment later, wearing tan jeans frayed at the hem, a pair of flats and a soft green sweater that hugged her breasts. Her long brown hair was still damp and curling at the ends, her gold-flecked brown eyes bright and beguiling, her face showing a lot more color than she’d had before. But that wasn’t going to last long.
“I’ve been thinking,” she said. “I know you’re worried about me, but I’ll be fine here. I’ll keep the doors locked.” She stopped abruptly as he got to his feet.
“No,” he said flatly.
“Look, I appreciate your concern, Wyatt, but I’m not involved in anything remotely classified at Nova Star. I don’t know secrets. I run shows for kids and teachers and tourists.”
“You’re not staying here, Avery.” He turned his phone around, so she could see the screen. “Look.”
“What?” she asked, taking his phone. “Is that a fire burning? Is it close by?”
“It’s in Venice Beach—an apartment building.”
“Oh, my God! Is that Noelle’s building?”
He met her suddenly terrified gaze. “Yes. Pack a bag, Avery. And do it fast.”
“Why? This doesn’t have anything to do with me. Maybe it’s all over now. Noelle is dead, and her apartment is destroyed. There’s nothing left to find.”
“Except you were there. You had a book in your hands. And they don’t know that it was just your own book autographed to your friend.”
She stared back at him, her gaze sharpening as she took in his words. “It’s possible they think I have whatever they were looking for?”
“And that’s why we’re getting you out of here. Pack for several days and bring that book.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know, but just bring it.”