He’s giving off a faint musky scent, obviously from a cologne he applied earlier. Has he been on a date? I wonder—I mean, there’s the dress shirt, the sexy fragrance, the trimmed scruff and freshly washed hair.... I feel a pang at the thought. Maybe he’s still involved with that violinist, and he drove up from the city with her. That could explain some of his recent unavailability.
Retreating into the room, I switch on the two table lamps and turn back around. “Do you want to sit down?” I ask.
“No, this won’t take long, but it’s good news, I think. After I didn’t find anyone home at Drew’s house on either Sunday or Monday, I left two phone messages for him and heard back today. I explained about the dog, and how we both feel Jamie wouldn’t have abandoned him. I definitely had his attention.”
I let out a small, hopeful gasp. “You think he’ll go to the police?”
“I want to think so. He didn’t come right out and agree with our theory, but I sensed he was taking it seriously.”
“Good,” I say, and I find myself smiling in gratitude. Sam followed through. Things might finally be in motion. Because I can’t bear standing still.
“I have news, too,” I say. “I went back to one of the houses on the list Jamie made, and it turns out that someone fitting his descriptionhad been there as well, making inquiries. So there’s no question that alarm bells had gone off for him.”
“Oh, man,” Sam says, shaking his head.
“I know. It’s more important than ever that Drew convince the police to keep investigating.”
“Okay, I’ll check back with him tomorrow,” he says. “By the way, I hadn’t intended to mention to Drew that you were staying in the New Burford house, but he kept pressing to know how you learned about the dog, so I ended up telling him the whole story. I hope that’s okay. He didn’t seem particularly fazed.”
“Sure.” I wouldn’t have wanted Sam to be dishonest, but I just hope Drew doesn’t think I chose the house out of some morbid fascination. And I have to pray he doesn’t mention it to Liam. “Are you sure you don’t want to sit down?”
Sam’s been in the same spot ever since he entered the house, rooted in place as if he’s been told there’s a trip wire with an explosive device running between the two of us.
“No, I should get back,” he says, sweeping a hand through his hair. “I just didn’t want to leave you hanging.”
Get backwhere? I wonder. To his cottage on his parents’ property and whoever is awaiting him there? Well, I’m glad to have the hint because it might help burn off my infatuation once and for all.
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
His eyes dart toward the couch and the makeshift bed I assembled for myself. He cocks his chin in that direction.
“So you’re just renting the first floor?” he says, a faint smile on his face.
The comment makes me chuckle. I’m not used to Sam being funny with me.
“No, I sprang for the full house. I—I just feel a little more comfortable downstairs.”
“Why? And don’t tell me because it’s cooler on this floor. You’ve got all the windows nailed shut.”
I lift my hands, palms up. “To be honest, a few weird things have happened lately.”
“Weird in what way?” he says.
“I thought someone was following me in the car tonight on my way back from dinner with Ava. And there have also been some odd little disturbances in the house.”
“Is there any chance someone got in here?”
“I always lock up at night and nothing’s looked tampered with, but still...” I trail off. “Do you think Liam’s figured out that I’m digging around?”
Sam lifts an eyebrow. “It’s possible, but Drew didn’t give any indication that either he or Liam is aware of that. Let me know if anything else happens, though, okay?”
“Of course, thanks.”
Then, suddenly, Sam steps over the imaginary trip wire, moving in my direction. I look over my shoulder, curious if he’s noticed something odd behind me, but when I spin back around, he’s inches away and staring right at me. Reaching out a hand, he cups the back of my head and kisses me softly on the mouth. It sends a rush of desire right down to my toes.
“If only I’d met you first,” he says, releasing me. His voice is so low it’s almost a whisper.
And then he turns away, slips out through the door, and closes it tightly behind him.
