Malcolm stepped forward. “We’ve narrowed it down to a couple of the cult members we busted a year ago; we can’t find one of them. He disappeared off the grid when he was released from prison, so we’re calling in more favors to locate him. He’s our best bet right now.”
“Sounds good,” Angus said. “Is there any connection between him and the guy who shot my lawyer?”
“Not yet,” Brigid answered. “I haven’t found anything. Also, the dead guy who bombed your cabin? There’s nothing in our records, and HDD has reached out to Interpol, but nothing so far. I’ll keep on it.”
Nari ate another croissant. Why not? They were stuck in the middle of no-answer-land. Carbs didn’t count there. “We need a plan.”
Angus nodded. “I’d make myself bait, but I don’t think those passages from Lassiter refer to me.”
Nari perked up.
“No,” Angus said before she could offer. “Using you for bait is a nonstarter.” He shook his head. “The only option is to continue to track him down via medical, financial, or physical evidence from cameras. At some point, probably soon, we will get a line on him. Then we’re at go.”
Seeing Angus in full control streamed awareness through her body, and she ducked her head to sip her mimosa, memories of the night before ticking through her mind like an old film.
“Roscoe,” Angus warned.
Nari looked up to see the dog edging her way, his brown gaze on her drink. “None for you, puppy,” she said softly, reaching out to pat his head. “The wine you had the other night is going to have to do it.”
“The very good wine,” Jethro interjected with a look at the dog.
Kat dug his claws into Nari’s shoulder for balance and leaned over to swat the dog on the ear.
Nari winced. “Kat. Take it easy.” She gingerly lifted the kitten to the floor, where he could play with Roscoe. She wanted to relax, but they had too much to do. “What’s the next step in the case against you, Angus?”
He watched the dog and kitten goof off. “I should probably find another lawyer, considering mine is in a coma.” Worry fanned out from his eyes, where guilt glowed. “Although I agreed to a lie detector test, I think I should wait until I have an attorney. I’ll put in a call to Scott’s partner tomorrow.”
Nari nodded, her heart hurting for him. And for Scott. The lawyer had to wake up, and not just to provide a witness account that Angus hadn’t shot him. Apparently he was a good guy, according to everyone who knew him. “He’s strong, from what I understand. He’ll be okay, Angus.” Nari’s phone buzzed and she lifted it. “Hello.”
“Hi, Nari. It’s Opal.” The woman sounded much stronger today.
Nari smiled. “How are you doing?”
“Good, if they’d hurry up and release me. Apparently paperwork trumps all else, even when one has been shot in the line. Well, kind of in the line of duty.” Opal chuckled. “I just wanted to make sure you understood that the job offer I made while passing out was intended. You’re made for this position.”
But she’d be working for Quan again. “I appreciate the offer and will definitely think about it. Please stay healthy.”
“I’ll try. Call me in a couple of days.” Opal clicked off.
“What offer?” Dana asked.
Nari told her the details.
“Sounds perfect for you,” Wolfe said.
A year ago it would have been. Now, Nari wasn’t sure. Her gaze moved toward Angus, who hadn’t said anything. Come to think of it, he hadn’t said much the night before when she’d told him about the offer. What did that mean?
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Another quiet morning failed to bring peace. Angus drank orange juice and looked out the industrial windows as Nari slept in the other room. The day before with the team had felt right, but now he was on his own again. Oh, they were there for backup, but their time of working for the HDD in their dismal offices was over.
A year ago he would’ve been shocked at how much that bothered him. After a spectacular dinner of chicken Parmesan cooked by Wolfe, of all people, he and Nari had returned and spent the night rolling around and destroying Jethro’s guest room. The mattress might never be the same. He grinned.
The door opened and Jethro jogged in with Roscoe panting behind. “We went for a nice run. I have to shower and get to class, but I thought we could go over all the notes from Lassiter again tonight. I feel like we’re missing something.”
“Agreed,” Angus said, scrubbing both hands down his face. “There’s a clue in there, a kernel of truth that I just haven’t caught.” It was driving him crazy.
Jethro disappeared into his room while Roscoe padded to his water bowl and went to town.
