“I’m waiting,” Rapp growled.
“For what?” No way did she want to admit he’d saved her bacon. She could have figured a way out of the altercation. Probably.
“That’s your boss. The guy who put you on leave.”
“Your point?”
Rapp shook his head. “I overheard him say that you’ve been following him.”
The obstinate glint in Rapp’s gaze told Jane he wouldn’t let this go. “Do we have to talk about this?”
“I think we do.”
She sighed. “Fine.” She summarized what she knew and what she suspected, keeping her voice low, forcing her to lean closer to Rapp than she’d liked. A server brought him something to drink, but Jane only had water, not about to touch alcohol again so soon after the New Year’s Eve debacle.
Rapp fastened his gaze on Jane. Talk about feeling under the spotlight. But he was listening to her, nodding as he prodded her to continue.
Once finished, Jane soothed her parched throat with the water, needing the break.
“Well now. That’s quite a story.”
“It’s not a?—”
Rapp held up a hand. “You need to be careful with that one.” He gave a subtle nod in Scott’s direction. “He’s keeping an eyeon you. He spotted your tail. Even if he buys that you only came to meet me here, he’s going to be suspicious. And there’s already someone planting evidence in your office.”
“You believe me?” Huh. She’d have thought he’d want mounds of evidence to believe someone he’d just met.
He nodded. “Your summary fits with what Gambol told me about everything. Sounds like your criminal investigation stalled before your coworker died. And your boss’s defensiveness is off.” Rapp’s expression turned grave. “I’ve been where you are. Be very careful, Jane. When you don’t know who you can trust, everything can go sideways in a blink.”
She nodded, seeing a friendlier, nicer side of Rapp that made her almost like him.
“And one more thing.”
“Yeah?”
His overly friendly grin should have warned her. “If you need tips on how to manage overbearing personalities, to be a better people person, I’m happy to help.”
“Wait. What?”
“Well, it’s got to be tough being the new girl. I mean, the newpersonin the Seattle office. And you’re a junior agent too. That can’t be easy.”
“New person? I’ve been there a year.”
“And you’re obviously not great with people. You and Gina haven’t been getting along.”
“Have you met Gina?” She added before he could speak, “And I’m not that junior. Heck, you don’t look that much older than me.”
“I’m worlds more experienced.”
“I’ll bet.” She wanted to slug the smugness from his expression.
“Still, you’re doing a decent enough job on our tiny task force.”
“For a newbie, you mean,” she snapped.
“Yes. And on a completely separate note, you look very pretty tonight. And I mean that from a professional standpoint. You seem almost relaxed, your proverbial—and literal—hair down.”
“I’m so glad you approve.” Her words sounded as frosty as the outdoor temperatures. Rapp, however, didn’t seem to read the room.
