On Monday morning, Noah gulped down a cup of coffee and was headed for the door when his phone rang. Who could be calling now? He was supposed to meet Kaely at the office, get their files, and then go to the new CP.
He took his phone from his pocket and looked at it. When he saw the name, he almost dropped the phone. He turned back and leaned against the kitchen cabinet. Before he answered, he took a steadying breath.
“Hello?” he said.
“Hey, Noah. Alex Cartwright.”
“What can I do for you, Alex?”
A slow chuckle came over the phone. “You don’t sound surprised to hear from me.”
“I’m not.”
Alex didn’t say anything for several seconds, and Noah let the silence continue. He had no intention of telling Alex he was aware he’d been with Kaely.
“Look, I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes. It’s important. Could you meet me at that coffee shop by the office? You know the one?”
“Yeah, I know it.” Noah sighed. “I’m supposed to meet Kaely in thirty minutes.”
“I know, but she’s running late. I only want fifteen minutes. Please, Noah. If I didn’t think it was vital, I wouldn’t bother you.”
Noah wanted to say no, but he found himself agreeing to meet Alex. When he hung up, he wondered why he’d said yes. Truthfully, Noah was curious. He wanted to know why Alex was here. And it was only fifteen minutes.
Twenty minutes later, Noah walked into Sips Café. He looked around the small shop, hoping no other agents were here. It was a favorite place to grab coffee, donuts, fruit, or even a protein shake on the way to work. Sips had something for everyone. Thankfully, he didn’t recognize anyone except Alex, who sat at a corner table and waved him over.
Before sitting down, Noah went to the counter and ordered a cup of black coffee. The barista quickly filled a cup and handed it to him. After paying her, Noah headed to the table where Alex waited. Noah was determined to keep his cool, but just seeing Alex made his blood boil.
Alex was everything Noah wasn’t. Blond with blue eyes. He had an easy smile that people seemed to respond to. Even though Alex left just a few months after Noah arrived in St. Louis, Noah remembered how much everyone liked him. How popular he was. Although Noah had friends, he wasn’t all that comfortable around people. Sometimes he felt like the odd man out. He was pretty sure Alex had never felt that way in his entire life.
He sat down at Alex’s table. “I don’t have much time,” he said. “What are you doing in town?”
Alex smiled at him. “Good to see you too.”
Noah felt his throat constrict. “Sorry,” he forced out. “I just can’t be late today. We’re moving to our command post.”
“I know. Kaely told me about it.”
Noah took a sip of his coffee. It was so hot, it stung his tongue, but he didn’t let Alex know it had made him uncomfortable. “You’ve seen Kaely?” he asked when he put his cup down.
Alex laughed. “You know I did, Noah. I saw you parked outside her place Friday night.”
Great. “Does she know?”
“I don’t think so. I certainly didn’t tell her, nor do I intend to. I suspect we’re both concerned about her. Worried that this nut is going to hurt her.”
“I’ll protect her. You don’t need to be concerned.”
“But I am.” Alex cleared his throat, clasped his hands together on the top of the table, and leaned closer to Noah. “Look. You’ve only worked with her a short time, but I need you to know that she takes chances. Dumb chances.” He leaned back and shook his head. “She’s liable to do something stupid. Put herself in danger if she gets too curious, or if she thinks she can draw the UNSUB out. Please don’t let her do it.”
“Surely she wouldn’t do anything to purposely put herself in his cross hairs.” Even though he didn’t want Alex’s help, Noah was surprised by his suggestion. Was Kaely really that reckless?
“I’m telling you, she will. We worked a case once where a drug dealer kidnapped a girl. Held her for ransom because her father planned to testify against him. Kaely figured out where he was holding the girl and went there alone. Didn’t tell me what she’d planned.”
Noah’s mouth dropped open. “I don’t understand. . . .”
“I know. And that’s what worries me. You’ve got to watch her. Don’t let her out of your sight.” He ran a hand through his thick hair. “The job is everything to her, Noah. She’ll do whatever it takes to close a case—even putting her life on the line. She seems especially obsessed with this killer, and he’s gunning for her. I’m really afraid he’ll kill her.”
A shiver of apprehension ran through Noah. “I’ve never seen her act rashly.”
“She’s an incredible agent. You’ll never work with anyone better. But she’s still . . . damaged. It can make her careless. Just keep a close eye on her,” Alex said. “Even if you don’t trust me, don’t take a chance with her life.”
“I’ve got her back. Nothing will happen.” Noah picked up his coffee cup and took another sip. The coffee stung his burned tongue. “Is that it?” he asked when he put the cup down.
“Yeah, pretty much.”
Before he left, Noah wanted to ask Alex a question. He decided to take a chance. “Why does everyone call you her partner? We have partners for specific investigations, but we don’t get assigned permanent partners.”
Alex nodded. “Solomon was looking out for her. She hadn’t been in St. Louis long when he first paired us. Obviously, I wasn’t her actual partner, but we worked well together. And to be honest, a lot of the other agents didn’t want to work with her.” He glanced down. “Then I left. It’s not like we were together for years or anything.”
Noah nodded. “I guess that makes sense. I just don’t want to be . . .”
“Her permanent babysitter?”
Noah didn’t acknowledge Alex’s conclusion, but he’d hit the nail on the head.
“I wouldn’t worry about it. If Solomon continues to pair you with her, talk to him. Tell him how you feel. He’s fair. But Solomon doesn’t trust many people with Kaely. If you two work well together, Solomon might decide to pair you up frequently.”
“Okay.” Even though he really didn’t want to be tied to Kaely forever, thinking about someone else working with her made him feel a little nauseated. Not a good sign. “I’ve got to get going,” Noah said. “How long will you be in town?”
“I don’t know. An old CI of mine texted me. Says he might know something about the case. I’m going to meet him. See what he has to say.”
“You can’t work this case,” Noah said. “You could get in a lot of trouble.”
“I know that. I’m not working it. Just talking to one old source. He probably just wants money. If he has anything you can use, I’ll turn it over to you. You have my word.”
“Are you sure this is safe? Maybe I should go with you.”
Alex laughed. “You just reminded me that I can’t officially be on this case. If you go with me, you’ll just be putting your own career on the line.”
“Then at least tell me where you’re going.”
“An old abandoned school in North St. Louis. Where my CI used to go before it was closed down.” He grinned at Noah. “Obviously, the school wasn’t great at turning out successful students. My CI has been in and out of jail more than a dozen times.”
“He doesn’t sound very trustworthy.”
“Petty crime. Drugs. He’s like lots of other confidential informants. Lost, sad, desperate. Throw him twenty bucks, and he’ll find out whatever you need to know.”
“Name of the school?”
“Parkview Elementary.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
Alex drained his coffee cup and put it down. “Don’t get too excited. It’s probably a wild-goose chase. But since I’m in town, I’ll check in with him. Make sure he’s okay. Drop some cash.” He shrugged. “I just want to help.”
Noah stood up. Alex rose from his seat and extended his hand. Noah took it.
“I’ll keep in touch,” Alex said. “And if anything happens on your side . . .”
“I’ll be sure not to tell you.”
Alex smiled. “I would expect no less.” His eyes searched Noah’s face. “Please don’t tell Kaely we met. She wouldn’t like it. I’m only trying to help her, but she won’t see it that way. She’d probably be angry with both of us.”
“I don’t think I can do that. Lying isn’t the way to get her to trust me.”
“Just meeting with me will cause a problem,” Alex said. “She’ll feel we’re trying to take care of her. She doesn’t like that.”
“Tell me about it. Solomon does enough of that for the both of us.”
Alex nodded. “Yeah. He’s always been that way with her. She tolerates it from him. But not from us.”
“Look, I can’t promise you anything. I’m sorry.”
“Fair enough,” Alex said. “Thanks for meeting with me. You could have said no.”
“You’re welcome.”
Alex turned and started to walk away. But then he stopped and walked back to the table. “For what it’s worth,” he said, “I didn’t stay the weekend at Kaely’s. I have a hotel room.” Without another word, he left.
As the door to the coffee shop closed behind him, Noah wondered why Alex had felt the need to tell him that. It wasn’t any of his business. Yet somewhere inside, he felt a sense of relief. As he headed to his car, he wondered if meeting with Alex had been a mistake. When he told Kaely, which he intended to do, how would she react? Would it damage their partnership?
He got to his car, unlocked it, and slid in behind the steering wheel. As much as he wanted to be honest with Kaely, he wanted even more to be near her.