Maybe they weren’t as close as Riley thought they were.
“Riley,” Liza said, tone warning. “I don’t have time to explain. Please.” She lost the hard edge to her voice on the last word.
As much as Riley wanted answers, the plea broke her heart, tempering her anger for the moment. “I’m listening.”
“I was talking to Taylor, when she hung up on me. Now I can’t get ahold of her. Can you track her down? Have her go into my office and look for a green thumb drive.”
Riley massaged one side of her head. She could feel a headache blooming.
“Riley.” Liza sounded irritated. “Are you still there?
Maybe in body, but not mind.Liza was going to croak when she heard Taylor got fired. “Um. Mr. Gansett fired Taylor.”
“What?” Liza’s voice hitched. “How do you know that?”
“Long story.”
“Liza,” the mousy voice said. “Hurry up. They’re probably tracking the call.”
“One minute, Haley,” Liza barked. “If we don’t get that drive, we’re both dead.”
“We’re dead anyway,” Haley snapped.
Hearing the word “dead” made Riley feel as if a thousand needles were poking her all at once. She swallowed thickly. “What can I do?”
“Can you go to my office? There’s a short filing cabinet next to the window. The green thumb drive is taped to the underside of the top drawer.”
“Sure. I’m at The Coffee Bean Factory a block from your building. I just need to figure out how to get past the piranha, Candace, your receptionist.” Riley might have to barter with the woman again, which was totally fine. Maybe Riley should just plan Candace’s wedding free of charge. She could use that as an excuse to return to California. After all, Liza owed Riley a tour of the state, and Riley wouldn’t mind seeing Josh again.
“Figure something out. Better yet, find Taylor. She’ll help you.”
Riley shook her head, even though Liza couldn’t see her. “She won’t. Trust me.”
“Riley, Taylor will.”
Maybe she would if Riley could find her. “What do I do when I get the thumb drive?”
“I’m working on that,” Liza said. “I got to run. I’ll call you tonight. Take Josh with you for protection.”
A flirty and nervous laugh escaped. “Speaking of Josh, why haven’t you called him?” He had courage, strength, probably weapons, a take-no-prisoners attitude, and he was an ex-Navy SEAL.”
“You’ve met my cousin, right? He’s ready to strap on a gun and all his SEAL gear and fight again. We don’t need mafia men all over Redwood Cove.”
Met him, kissed him, held his hand, flirted with him, slept in his house, and will probably cry when I have to leave him.
The small, sleepy resort town didn’t need men with guns storming the streets and neither did the inn. The agents had shown up, but they were the good guys.Speaking of the FBI…
“Liza, one more thing.”
Silence filled the line.
“Liza.” Riley glanced at her phone, and the screen showed all her apps instead of a connected call.Well, crap on a cracker.
Sighing, she sat for a minute, debating whether she should wait for Josh. He might be able to use his handsomeness and gentlemanly charm on Candace.
Time was of the essence, though, and Josh was stuck in traffic. He could’ve been a good hour or more away. Besides, Riley could get the drive and be back at the coffee shop before Josh even got into the city.
Fifteen minutes later, she was walking back into Stitches, Inc. The reception desk was empty, and the fifteenth floor was quiet, too quiet. Biting her nail, Riley debated whether to wait for someone before she went snooping around. The last thing she wanted to do was get thrown out before she retrieved the thumb drive.
