“I’m concerned that her father was killed because he ran across delicate information.” Octavia had sounded like she might choke up with tears.
Braden didn’t know if that was an act or if she could actually show sincere emotion.
“Delicate?”
“Dangerous.”
“I’m going to need more,” he said.
“He came back to see me. Cut his trip short, leaving Washington state. But he died before he could talk to me. I think it was about whatever he discovered in Hidden Bay.”
“Youthink. There’s nothing that youknow?” Why had the man believed he needed to talk to Octavia about his discovery?
“Braden, please, just trust me.”
Trust her?
“Cressida’s caught in the middle. I was right to listen to my instincts and send you there. I’m so relieved that you...”
Complied.Like he had any choice. “I’m here. What more can you tell me so I can navigate this and protect her?”
“I’ve told you everything I can. Protect her, and maybe seeing this through with her will help you to discover what it’s about.”
“Everything I can.”
Braden had instincts too. And his instincts told him that Octavia Dane already knew exactly what it was about, butshe had to stay hands-off and keep her distance while she let him get his hands dirty.
After the call and the ride, he’d worked late into the night, following what few leads he had. Captain Everett “Salty” Malloy had delivered Cressida’s father, Alaric Dane, to Hidden Bay. He’d also delivered Cressida with a warning. Braden had learned that Malloy had previously been a Navy guy who specialized in salvage operations, which didn’t send up any red flags, but Braden would continue to dig and also try to get ahold of the guy so he could question him about his warnings to Cressida. Braden also learned by looking at Malloy’s social media that he belonged to a Facebook page for a group who dressed up like pirates. Not to be confused with the Hidden Bay liveaboard pirates. What had happened on theMariner’s Gambitper Cressida’s statement regarding Malloy’s almost run-in with a speedboat?
The door opened, pulling his thoughts to the moment. Fiery-haired Cressida stepped out, along with Jo, both still deep in discussion.
Braden started toward them. He ignored that awkward feeling that suddenly rose in his chest at the sight of Cressida. Uncertainty gripped him, which he also ignored. Was his unease because he might be a little bit taken with her, which was ridiculous, or was it about the secret that weighed him down? A secret that, if she found out, would be the end of them.
He shut down the thoughts.Get a grip. I’m a cop. A detective. Former DSS agent.
And he was just doing his job. Mid-conversation, Cressida tore her gaze from Jo to look at him. Her striking pale eyes grew wide, then a warm, hesitant smile brightened her face. In that one look, he caught something he hadn’t expected. She was glad to see him ... on a personal level.Or was he reading her wrong? He shoved the utterly unprofessional thoughts away and approached.
“Ms. Valentine.” He nodded with a grin, then looked to Jo. “Jo. It’s good to see you.”
“Just Cressida, please. We talked about this,” she said. “I don’t like anyone to call me by anything else.”
He hadn’t wanted to be that personal in front of Jo. “How’d it go?” he asked them both.
“Come inside and see the sketch.” Jo led them back inside to her art studio, where she handed off the sketch.
He took a picture of it with his cell. “I’ll make sure this image gets out to law enforcement. Can you stick this in an envelope for me so the hard copy gets to the office and you get paid?”
“Sure.” While Jo found an envelope, Braden studied Cressida, who was taking in Jo’s amazing art.
She lifted her face and caught him.
“Are you okay?” he asked. “It can’t be easy having to go through the details of the man who attacked you all over again.”
“I’m one step closer to justice,” she said.
And you’re a survivor.“What do you have planned today?”
She angled her head so that her long, curly hair fell to the side. “I thought I’d find my way down to the marina.”
