The truth was, her mom would probably be prouder of the fact that Tessa knew how to save a buck than she was about her being an excellent agent. But Tessa had long learned to deal with her mom’s version of approval.
“Excellent. I know you’re busy, obviously, but I also wanted you to start thinking about this. I want to take the family to Florida, the 30A area, for spring break. Still months away, but I know those places book fast.”
“I know several people who own rentals there.” Tessa’s mind was already categorizing the locations. “Do you want to be right on the ocean? Or just in the area?”
They chatted for a few more minutes, and when she stood to leave, Jacob placed a big hand on her forearm. “Tessa?”
The serious tone in his voice had her responding in kind. “Jacob?”
His hand flexed on her arm. “Be careful. I can’t lose anyone else.”
“I will.” She placed her hand over his. “I promise.”
She was almost out of his office when he called her again. “Tessa?”
“Yes, sir?”
He pointed to the door. “I’m not the only one who wouldn’t make it if we lost you. You know that, right?”
Tessa couldn’t be certain if Jacob meant the entire group of men who were waiting for her at Leslie’s desk or the one man who watched her with narrowed eyes and didn’t relax until she gave him a smile that she hoped conveyed that everything was okay. But either way, she knew he was right.
Zane pulled away from the knot of agents and met her halfway down the hall. “Everything okay?” He stood in front of her, preventing her from walking down the hall and blocking the others’ view of her as they spoke.
“Yes. I don’t think Jacob meant to be so dramatic. He’s planning a trip. Wants some help finding a good deal.”
“That’s it?” Zane didn’t move.
“For the most part.”
“Right. And what about the other part?”
“A brief conversation that can be summed up with, ‘Don’t get dead or we’ll fall apart,’ and I promised I’d do my best.”
Zane nodded and stepped aside. She had a similar conversation with Luke, Gil, Benjamin, and Leslie before she was able to return to her desk. Leslie, bless her, had ordered lunch. And because Leslie ran their office with the skill of a CEO and the heart of Mother Teresa, she’d ordered Tessa’s favorite. Chicken salad on sourdough. Lettuce, tomato, salt, pepper, and a hint of mayo. Kettle chips. Fruit cup instead of a cookie. Large unsweetened tea. And a sticky note on the box.
Let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.
Leslie had a knack for finding the perfect Bible verses for the moment. Today was no exception. Tessa bowed her head and thanked God for her food and for his presence. Then she got back to work.
When Morris called two hours later, Tessa answered with, “What do you have for me?”
“I don’t have this officially. But I’m passing it along because Ithink you need to know. The ME told me he believes our dead guy was dead before you ever destroyed his knee.”
“Is that supposed to bother me?”
“Which part? The dead guy being dead. Yeah. That part’s weird. But scaring off these guys? No. You shouldn’t be bothered. You should be proud. They aren’t good enough. And if they get scared off by a woman who knows how to defend herself, good riddance.”
“Then we’re on the same page. Talk to me about the dead guy.”
Morris heaved a sigh. “The medical examiner had some students in today and thought this was an excellent opportunity for them, so he bumped our guy to the head of the line.”
Tessa made a note to thank the ME later. “What did he see that makes him think our guy was a dead man walking?”
“Two pills in the stomach that hadn’t fully dissolved. ME says that happens sometimes with a slow-release medicine. They’re designed to dissolve slowly. The ME doesn’t have toxicology yet, but based on the manner of death and something about the way the stomach looked, he strongly suspects poison.”
“Seems strange for the ME to share something like that. They’re usually pretty by the book over there. No results that aren’t confirmed.” Tessa had spent enough time with Benjamin’s wife, Dr. Sharon Oliver, to know that this was not normal procedure. Sharon would never release information this way.
“It is highly unusual, but the ME mentioned it because he’s seen this before.”
