He scratched at the whiskers on his jaw. “Any chance there was a trail from either the window or the washing machine that evaporated, leaving just the puddle?”
She finished thedrink. “Maybe.”
“The only way to tell is to wait for the next puddle,” he said.
She exhaled. “Yeah. That’s what Ifigured, too.”
* * * *
His healed leg aching from the oncoming storm, Jethro returned to his office after lunch, unable to get the professor’s pale face out of his mind. He’d always been a sucker for a damsel in distress. However, this damsel had made it more than clear that she didn’t want to berescued by him.
Not that he had any illusions he could rescue anyone. Still, one thing he’d learned early on in his career was the importance of knowing exactly what he was dealing with in any situation. So he shut his door and dialed a phone number, telling himself he’d just feel out the terrain. The phone rang several times and he was about to end the call when Brigid answered.
“Hi, Jethro,” she said, her voice light. “It’s so good to hear from you. It’s Thursday afternoon. Why aren’tyou in class?”
It wasn’t a surprise that the Deep Ops computer expert knew his schedule. “Afternoon classes were canceled so students could attend a career fair.” He had no right to bother her on her vacation. “I’m just checking in. How’s your dad, and how’s Raider doing at the farm?” Raider was more of a plan-an-op-to-the-last-detail type of guy than a relax-at-the-farm man.
Brigid laughed. “Oh, you know Raider. He’s going nuts. But it’s nice to see him getting along with my dad. They’re out repairing the roof of one of the barns right now. He’s surprisingly handy around here, although I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get him to retire to a farm.” Her voice lowered and softened. “Guess what?”
“What?” Jethro asked, settling backin his chair.
“We got engaged last night. I haven’t told the rest of the team yet because I wanted to do it in person, but I can’t keep the secret with you on the phone. I’m so freaking excited.” Happiness all but bubbled from her.
He smiled and turned to see the snow had started falling again outside. “That’s lovely, Bridge. I’m pleased for you.”
“Good. Now how about you tell me why you really called?” A very slight Irish brogue emerged with herbrisk question.
He shook his head. “I was just checking in.”
“Bollocks,” she returned. “You don’t just check in. Come on, Jethro. You’ve called because you need a favor, and honestly, I’m going a little nutty here without something to hack. Please tell me why you called.”
Well, she did ask, and she was one of the best computer hackers in the world. He cleared his throat. “If you have time, and only then, I was hoping you’d do a deep dive on my new colleague. Her name is Gemma Falls, and she’s teaching game theory and statistics here at the university.”
Brigid was quiet for amoment. “Why?”
He stilled. “What do you mean, why?” Brigid wasn’t a woman who askedthat question.
She sighed. “If you’re interested in Gemma Falls and this is personal, the last thing you should do is dig into her personal life without an invitation. If this is business, I want to know what I’m dealing withbefore I dive.”
That was fair. More than fair. He ran a hand through his thick hair. “You’re right. Forget it.”
“Oh no you don’t,” she said. “You wouldn’t ask unless you had a reason. Spillit, Professor.”
He wasn’t accustomed to sharing his thinking with anyone, but he had called her, so he didn’t have much of a choice. “It’s just a gut feeling,” he said honestly. “She’s interesting, but there are shadows in her eyes that I can’t read.” Rather, those eyes were usually turned away, so he couldn’t read her at all. “I don’t know. She’s intriguing, so perhaps it is personal. In which case, you’re correct. I shouldn’t invade her privacy.” In truth, he didn’t have a valid reason for wanting to conduct a background check. “For now, let’s forget it.”
“Jethro, you’re one of our team, and if you want help, I’m your gal,” Brigid said. “But I also don’t want you to screw up a possible romance because you’re being a dumbass.”
Jethro grinned. “That isn’tnice, Brigid.”
“Nobody has called me nice in a while,” she mused. “Although I am. I’m a freaking peach, if you ask me. Sometimes it’s difficult keeping you guys in line. I swear. Wolfe almost blew things up with Dana several times, but now they’re solid. I’d love to see you happy, too.”
God save him from happy couples who thought everyone else should be as googly in love. “That’s kind of you, but I’m regretting the fact that I made this call.”
“Too late,” she said, her voice sounding too pleased. “Do you need us at home? I talked to Wolfe yesterday and he told me about the dead woman who was found in an alley. It’s almost as if this Fletcher character is trying to copy the Surgeon, but he’s targeting you instead of Angus Force. What’sup with that?”
So Brigid didn’t know that Fletcher was Jethro’s brother. Wolfe must’ve kept that close to his vest for now, and apparently Brigid hadn’t felt the need to do a deep dive on either Fletcher or Jethro, so that was a good thing. “I don’t know, but I’m not worrying about it,” he lied. “The DC police seem to have the case in hand, and it’s not a federal one, so your team won’t be called in. Just let Tate and Buckle handle it.” He paused. “Have you searched for her first name, by the way? It’s something none of us know.”
“Nope,” Brigid said. “Your curiosity isn’t a good enough reason for me to violate Detective Buckle’s privacy.”
