“Why’s that?” Mulder cocked his head.
“I reckon it’s because he was a Navy SEAL for over a decade. So he knows guys who’ve seen the darker side of life sometimes have a tough time reintegratin’ into society. He knows life doesn’t give many people second chances, but that, with a little help, it can give some folks a chance at a new start.”
“So he’s cultivated a home for wayward soldiers here?”
“And wayward airmen and seamen and jarheads. Basically any fool who had the bad sense to sign up to serve Uncle is welcomed with open arms.”
“Whyareyou looking for the motorcycle in that picture?” Eliza asked. “Has something happened? Something to do with a former military man or—”
“Somebody with a shit-ton of training made those shots. And it wasn’t the tranny or his uptight lawyer,” Waller muttered and then had the grace to tuck his chin when Mulder shot him a scathing glance.
So, the feds have already been to see Cesar, eh? And found the man lawyered up? How wonderful.Fisher hid another a secret smile.I knew I liked Cesar.
“What shots?” Eliza blinked at the agents.
“Yes!” Samantha called from the second story. “What shots?”
“Never mind,” Mulder grumbled, taking the photo from Fisher and tucking it back into his coat. “We’ll be back to talk to this Becky person in the morning.”
“I’ll let her know to expect you.” Eliza slid her arm from Fisher’s so she could open the front door. The instant they were no longer touching, he missed the feel of her softness next to him. “In the meantime, I hope you gentlemen find what you’re looking for,” she added with a cool smile.
The feds muttered their thanks, even Agent Moretti, whom Fisher had begun to suspect might be mute. Wrapping an arm around Eliza’s shoulders when she shivered in the cold air, he watched with her until the agents were halfway across the lot. Then he closed the door and listened to it seal tight.
“Your questions had them itchin’ to get out of here,” he told her proudly. “Excellent work.”
“Really? Was it my questions or was it the presence of an investigative reporter?” She hooked a thumb over her shoulder toward the second-floor landing.
“Never seen anyone as smart or as capable as you, and never seen anyone asincapable of takin’ a compliment.” He shook his head. “I swear, woman, it’s like tryin’ to kick water uphill.”
“Maybe I only have trouble taking compliments fromyoubecause you toss them out like confetti.”
“Do I?” He was taken aback.
Her lovely mouth flattened. “You praise and flatter every woman you meet.”
“And that bothers ya?” he asked cautiously. “Ya always act like ya don’t care.”
“It’s not an act,” she said with a sniff. “Idon’tcare. But I also don’t take your compliments to heart because I know you don’t really mean them. It’s just one of the many tools you use to charm women out of their pants.”
He reckoned she didn’t realize how hard her words hit him, and he wanted to keep it that way. Swallowing down the hurt, he pasted on his most rakish grin. “And here ya stand with pants that are uncharmable.” He tossed an arm around her shoulders to lead her toward the shop area. “I’m trying to decide if I like that.”
“You are the most annoying man I’ve ever met. I definitely don’t likethat,” she countered.
“Aw, come on.” He gave her a friendly squeeze, breathing deeply of her crisp, fresh-smelling perfume that always reminded him of spring rain on a bergamia tree. “Ya love me. Admit it.”
“Pfft.” Even though he wasn’t looking at her, he knew she was rolling her eyes. “I’m a good cook. But I refuse to feed your ego.”
He chuckled at her wit and felt a little flurry of movement in the center of his chest. Too bad he’d learned from his past that his feelings in the shiny, sparkly women department had to be handcuffed and hogtied.
“Where are you taking me?” she demanded.
“Over to the Bat Cave. Sam and Hannah got to be itchin’ to get out of there.”
She stopped dead in her tracks, forcing his boots to take root on the cement floor next to her. When his arm fell away from her shoulders, he searched for a reason to grab her hand but couldn’t find one.
He’d spent three yearsnottouching her. Her cool, haughty demeanor didn’t exactly screamcome ’ere and gimme a bear hug, big boy.But now that he’d startedtouching her, he didn’t want to stop.
“Let’s give them a bit more time.” She glanced toward the inconspicuous expanse of the brick wall.
