“Because Gilliam spoke to MacArthur’s wife, and he was heading to Fort McMurray where all the big oil companies are.He was investigating the mining permitting process.”
“Drea.I appreciate you want this closed, but you’re speculating.We still don’t even know the woman was abducted or that any of this has anything to do with her.”Carter moved to the table and sat down.
“But doesn’t the fact she hasn’t come forward or made a report show she was?”Drea tried to bury her frustration.
“No, it doesn’t.About forty percent of violent crimes go unreported.”
Gah.Frustration bubbled like hot water in a saucepan.There had to be a way to find the woman.She couldn’t spend the rest of her life picturing the woman’s face, it was going to drive her crazy.
She stomped to the window, then to the door, pacing back and forth until Cujo grabbed her arm.His frame was rigid, but his hand was gentle.As much as she tried to resist, he slowly tugged her back toward him until she was standing at his side.
“How hard can this be to figure out?”Drea sighed with exasperation.“I can barely sleep.It’s killing me, not knowing if she is okay.”
“Look Drea,” Carter said softly.“We are working through the files.We’ve connected with the RCMP, the Canadian police.I’ll even call your contact if you want to give me his number.”He stood and walked toward her.“We canvassed your neighborhood, fingerprinted the cup, circulated the drawing Mr.Matthews did, and a whole list of other things.I assure you, we are doing everything we can.”
Drea sighed heavily, tossing her hair over her shoulder.What Carter said made sense, but somehow it still didn’t seem like enough.
“Nobody would like to solve this for you more than me.”His eyes softened and Cujo’s grip on her arm momentarily tightened then released to link their fingers.“I hate that you’re not sleeping and I wish I could fix it for you.”
“I know,” she said.“I’m sorry to keep bothering you.”
“You’re not.You know that, right?Anytime.”Carter glanced at her hand in Cujo’s.He tilted his head, his gaze steady on hers.
Like it or not, there was a spark between them.It simply wasn’t the explosion that occurred when she was with Cujo.
“Drea.Mr.Matthews,” Carter said with a nod, then left.
It felt as though someone had sucked all the air out of the room.
“I don’t know whether to spankyourass for not telling me what was going on, or kickhisfor looking at you like you’re an all-you-can-eat buffet.”Cujo growled finally.
“Oh for God’s sake—” Drea pulled her hand out of his, embarrassed she wanted to leave it there.
“Don’t give me that shit, Drea.This actually concerns me.Why didn’t you tell me about this?”
“Don’t you have a client you need to get back to?”she replied.
“I do.But this is more important.Youare more important.Seriously, what the fuck, Drea?”
Her heart soared traitorously at the comment.She checked the time on her phone.She was due at José’s in less than fifteen minutes.But he was right.He deserved to know what she’d been doing.She’d be pissed as all hell if he had done the same to her.
“I should have told you.I’m sorry.”But now he knew everything, there was little left to say.
“Don’t fold so easily,” he said, tugging her toward him.“I want to be mad at you for a little while longer.”
Without a doubt, he was one of the most handsome men she’d ever known.His flawless complexion marred only by the wrinkles of concern creasing his forehead.
“Don’t kick Carter’s ass.He’s a good guy.”
“He asked you out?”
Drea nodded in response.
“Did you say yes?”He pulled her body flush against his.
“I rain-checked.”
His shoulders dropped in relief.“Good.”
