“Well, it is mine, so there’s that, but also I have to go to the doctor. I’d rather not get soaked on my way to the car.”
“I didn’t realize it was raining.”
“I’m not surprised. You don’t seem to be aware of anything outside of this room.” Zane grinned his most smart-alecky grin.
Luke didn’t bite. “Do you need a ride?”
“Are you offering? Last time I checked, you don’t have a car, and you aren’t supposed to be driving.”
“Good point. Your umbrella is in the corner by Marty’s desk.”
“Thanks.” Zane turned to go.
“You coming back here?”
Zane paused at the door. “Where else would I go?”
Luke didn’t have an answer to that, and as Zane left the room, he could feel Faith watching him. When he looked at her, the teasing and flirting were nowhere to be found. She was all business. “Ivy Collins.”
“Ivy Collins.” Maybe she would have some insights into who Park Mi Cha was.
A NEW VOICEfloated down the hall. Light. Feminine. Southern.
9:55 a.m.
“She’s prompt.” Luke muttered the words around the glass he held to his lips.
Since Zane had left for the doctor, Luke had been all business, and Faith was glad. Sort of.
Luke was a major distraction. No matter how hard she tried to ignore him, if he was in the room, she was aware of his presence. His mannerisms, the way he twirled his pen between his fingers when he was staring at the computer. Or the way he shifted in his seat, something she suspected he wasn’t aware of and also something she didn’t think was normal for him. It had to be hard to get comfortable with all of his injuries rubbing up against khakis and a golf shirt.
But it wasn’t just that. Sometimes she could feel his eyes on her, and she had to force herself not to look up to catch him watching her. It made it so much more difficult to concentrate when she couldn’t stop herself from wondering what it would be like to have a man like him around all the time.
Not that she needed a man, but she didn’t use to think she wanted one—and now she wasn’t so sure.
The phone buzzed and Luke answered. “I’ll be right there.” He set the phone back on the receiver. “I’ll go get her.”
He stood, and his entire persona shifted. He wasn’t Luke anymore. He was US Secret Service Special Agent Luke Powell, and he was ready to get some answers.
Two minutes later, Luke ushered Ivy Collins into the room. She extended a hand immediately. “You must be Special Agent Malone.”
Faith shook her hand. “I am. Thank you for coming in, Dr. Collins.” She pointed to the chair to her right. “Please, have a seat.”
Ivy Collins was, to Faith’s dismay, more lovely in real life than she’d been on the internet or on the stage. Willowy. Fair. Blonde. She oozed femininity. And Luke had noticed. Of course he had.
“Dr. Collins, could I get you some water?” He stood behind the chair to Faith’s left, across from Ivy.
“Please, call me Ivy. And yes, thank you.” Her smile was soft and her hands brushed Luke’s when she took the glass from him a moment later.
Awesome. Ivy had noticed Luke. Of course she had.
Luke took a seat and smiled at Ivy. A warm smile that spoke of friendship and kindness. In that moment, Faith despised Ivy Collins. It was irrational. Faith knew it. But later she was going to have to think about it. Hard.
Before Faith could rein in her emotions and begin her line of questioning, Ivy leaned toward them, earnest and concerned. “I’m still in shock over what’s happened. I realize it wouldn’t have changed anything, but if I’d had any idea she was the unknown woman from that horrible bombing, I would have come forward immediately.”
“We understand,” Luke said. “Nothing about this case has been normal.”
Faith wanted this interview over as soon as possible. “Dr. Collins, could you tell us what Park Mi Cha did for you?”
