Mindy stared down at the dark liquid in her mug. “I’ll have to quit my job when this is over. I feel bad about that. I really like my job.”
Lissa’s features tightened. “Who says you have to quit? That’s a load of bull crap. Just because you and Jax hooked up—”
“It’s not that. Not exactly. Once it’s over, I won’t be able to remember what a great time we had and just let it go. I know that’s what men do, women, too, but I’m just not that way.”
Lissa studied Mindy’s face and one of her blond eyebrows arched up. “You aren’t falling in love with him, are you?”
Mindy managed not to glance away, but the truth must have shown in her face. What she felt for Jax went way beyond physical attraction. For months, she had watched the way he treated people, everyone from the delivery boy to Chase’s wealthy friends. It made no difference to Jax.
She had noticed his intelligence, his honesty and courage, his loyalty to his friends. In the past few days, she had learned he was all the things he seemed and more.
Lissa reached over and squeezed her hand where it rested on the table. “It doesn’t matter. This isn’t over yet. Jax cares about you. I know he does. Give it some time. Who knows what could happen?”
But Mindy knew. She swallowed, wishing the conversation had never come up. She finished her coffee and stood. “I’ve got to get back to work. I’ve got some ledgers I need to bring up to date.”
She walked over to the sink and washed out her mug, set it in the rack to dry. “I really do appreciate everyone’s help.” Turning, she walked out of the break room, back to her desk up in front.
JAXPARKEDTHEDodge in the parking lot of The Westin Galleria and walked into the lobby. It wasn’t a five-star luxury hotel, but with its open interior, modern design, sleek wood paneling, thick columns and beige marble floors, it was nice.
It was part of the Galleria shopping complex, a convenient place for shoppers to stay when they came to Dallas to spend their hard-earned money. It would also be a convenient place for a lovers’ tryst, Jax thought, the perfect excuse to be in the area if either party happened to be spotted.I was just out shopping, honey—no big deal.
In a pair of tan slacks and a dark blue blazer, a white shirt open at the throat, Jax walked up to the front desk. If you wanted information from a desk clerk, dressing well always gave you an edge.
“Checking in, sir?” the desk clerk asked. He was in his late thirties, wearing glasses and a dark brown sports coat.
“I just need a little information,” Jax said. “I’m hoping you can help.” Reaching inside his jacket, he pulled out a photo he’d printed off the internet and set it on the counter. “Any chance this guy looks familiar? His name is Ryan Shipman.”
The clerk looked at the photo. “I’m afraid not. But even if he did, it’s against our policy to give out a guest’s personal information.”
“The guy in the photo was murdered. Sooner or later the police will be asking you the same questions I’m asking you now.”
“Are you a cop?”
Jax reached back into his pocket, pulled out his badge wallet and flipped it open. “Detective. I work private.” He dug a folded hundred-dollar bill out of the wallet and smoothed it open on the counter. “How about any of the other employees? Like I said, the cops will be after the same information. I’m sure you’ll want to cooperate with them, so the info’s going to get out anyway.”
The clerk eyed the hundred and picked up the photo. “I’ll ask in the back.” He disappeared behind the wall and came back a few minutes later with one of the other clerks, a young woman in her twenties with chocolate eyes, coarse black hair and an olive complexion.
“I’ve seen this man,” she said. “But I don’t remember his name. It was several months back. He came in a couple of times a week for at least two months. It was during my shift, so I was the one who checked him in.”
“In the afternoon?”
“It would have been during the day. I don’t work in the evenings.”
“Was he by himself or with someone?”
“He was always alone. He was good-looking, a little flirty, a definite player type if you know what I mean. I was pretty sure he was meeting a woman.”
“Do you remember if he paid for the room or if it was paid for by someone else?”
“It was always prepaid online. I just checked him in and handed him a room key.”
Jax passed her the hundred. “If someone can give me a name or a decent description of the woman Shipman was meeting, there’s another hundred in it.” He took out a business card and handed one to each of the two clerks. “My cell number’s there. Call me.”
“I’ll ask around.” The young woman stuck the card in her jacket pocket and disappeared behind the wall.
Jax turned back to the male clerk,Bob, his name tag read. “Thanks for the help.”
“What about the police?” Bob asked.
