“I have both,” Angus said easily, taking another drink. The stuff wasn’t half bad, actually. It’d taste even better on Nari’s lips.
Jethro kicked back and flicked a switch near the fireplace. The fire erupted, low with blue hues. “Well?”
Angus gave him the short version of the last couple of days, winding down and finishing his glass. His stomach felt all warm and mellow. Was that what good wine did? No wonder people drank it, although he’d rather have whiskey.
Jethro stood and refilled their glasses, careful to keep the bottle out of Roscoe’s reach. “At least he has good taste,” the Brit muttered, patting Roscoe’s head. He sat back down and looked at them both. “We only worked that one case together months ago, so you think it’ll take them time to connect us?”
Angus nodded. “Yeah. They will connect us at some point, so we’ll just stay the night. Then I want to leave Nari with Wolfe and Dana and find a place to figure this case out.”
Nari kicked off her boots and crossed her legs on the sofa. “I’m figuring this out as well. Definitely not leaving town.” She wobbled a little.
Jethro swirled the wine in his glass, watching the fire play with the tannins. “You’re both safe here, if you want to stay.” He took a drink, looking as if he was really spending a moment tasting it. “The flat is owned by a dummy corporation, which is owned by a dummy corporation, et cetera and et al. Nobody can trace you here.”
Angus sat back, his shoulders relaxing for the first time since the new killer had struck. He should’ve realized Jethro would be under the radar, considering his ties to M16. He smiled at Nari. “Well, then. For now, we accept your kind invitation.” He could keep her safe here until he could talk her into leaving with Wolfe.
Jethro’s phone played “God Save the Queen” and he glanced down at the face and sighed. “I have a friend at Metro who works the desk and I’ve asked for updates. They found another body. Tall, brunette, blue eyes, and they already have an identification.” He frowned and read the message again. “Sue Swormton, the owner of the Puff Stadium.”
Angus’s chest heated. “The Puff Stadium? That’s my favorite bakery. I often bought pastries for the office there.”
Nari paled. “Pippa is our baker. The killer even knows about her, so he’s killed this baker?”
Angus downed the rest of his wine to keep himself from punching the wall.
Nari’s hand shook around the glass. “That’s every woman connected to the team. He’s found a look-alike victim for all of us. Now what?”
Now he had to go after the real thing. Again. For some reason, he’d already tried for Nari. Why?
Chapter Twenty-Four
Nari awoke with a jerk to silence. Real silence. She stretched in the plush bed and rolled over, smashing her face into a mass of fur. She coughed and leaned back. “Roscoe. What are you doing?”
The dog had his head on the adjoining pillow and his butt angled toward her. She petted him. “When did you come in?”
He stretched out his legs, pushing his back into her. Then he rolled over and stood, leaning down to lick her face.
She giggled and pushed him away. “Gross. You have doggy breath. Get off the bed.”
With one last swipe at her chin, he jumped over her and landed on the floor. She looked at the unused side of the bed. Angus and Jethro had talked about the case late into the night. Worn out, she’d headed to the guest room. Apparently Angus hadn’t joined her. Why would he? Well, they had shared a bed before. And a carpet.
His abandonment shouldn’t hurt, yet she rubbed her chest anyway. She was getting in too deep with him.
Morning light streamed through the blinds covering her window, while a thick, white throw rug blanketed the cement floor. The headboard, side tables, and dresser were all high-end metal and appeared handmade; the adjoining bathroom was, in a word, plush. Dr. Jethro Hanson must’ve made some serious money after he worked for British Intelligence.
Angus knocked and entered the room. “Wolfe is going to be here in about fifteen minutes with updates from everyone. We figured it’d be best if we only had one liaison to cut down on the chances of anybody finding us, including the killer. Wolfe will know if anybody tries to follow him.”
Nari sat up, holding the bedclothes to her T-shirt. She couldn’t let go of the feeling of abandonment. “Why didn’t you come to bed?” Oh, heck. Why had she asked that stupid question?
He stepped inside and studied her, his eyes a moss green in the early light. Today he’d worn dark jeans and a fresh tee that emphasized every hard muscle in his chest. “You needed sleep, and I was up most of the night going through the old case files.”
Her temples ached already. “What are we doing? I mean, seriously. We have wild sex on my floor and then you don’t have the emotional balls to just come to bed?”
His chin lifted, making him look oddly dangerous. “What? Am I not adhering to your strict life rules?”
She reared back. The man wanted to fight? “Excuse me?”
“Forget it.” He waved a hand. “Just get ready before Wolfe arrives.”
“No. Wait a minute here.” She jumped from the bed, not caring that she was only wearing an overlarge T-shirt with her legs bare. “Mylife rules? You’re the one who’s so afraid to show emotion, he’s leaving town after making himself a target for a killer.” Yeah. She’d figured that one out easily.
