Memories of what their lawyer had done to Millie shot heat into her face. “Our investigations crossed and then went south. His case involved a divorce, mine a securities fraud, and we probably blew both.”
Brigid remained silent for a moment. “Are you going to get fired?”
“Probably,” Millie said. “But that’s not my focus right now, and I need you to keep this between us. An attack squad infiltrated my property back at home in River City and tried to shoot Scott and me.”
“Are you okay?”
Millie started to wonder if this had been a good idea, but she needed answers. “Yes, I’m fine. We took down all three of them, and Scott did most of the heavy lifting.” A warm flush spread over her body.
“Really?” Brigid drawled. “I knew he was an ex-marine, and since he plays football with Tate Bianchi, I figured he reached badass status. Plus, he did survive an attack that most people wouldn’t have when he took that bullet near his heart during one of our cases. So, huh. What else is going on between you two?”
“I don’t know,” Millie said. “Probably more than I want to admit right now, but I have more immediate problems.”
The sound of typing came over the line. “Fine, but you will dish on the hottie lawyer later. For now, tell me all about this attack on you.”
Millie gave her all the details and also that she believed the chief held back evidence. Considering she had been a victim, she needed answers from him. “I’d like to know the identities of the attackers, as a start.”
“You bet,” Brigid said.
“Also, this is a crazy one.” She told Brigid all about Clay, their relationship, and being found in his bed the other night. The story sounded incredible, even though she’d lived it.
“Oh my God, Millie,” Brigid said. “We’re heading out there right now. Oh damn. Everyone’s out on mission.”
Relief flowed through Millie so quickly, she reached behind her for the sofa and sat down. “Everyone’s out?”
“Yeah. Angus and Nari are out of the country, and we have teams working on cases out of DC right now. I could call everybody back.”
“No, no, don’t call everybody back,” Millie said. Finally, a break. “Just help me out, Brigid. We’re safe. I’d let you know if I felt otherwise.”
Brigid sighed loudly over the phone. “What exactly can I do for you?”
“Please conduct a background search on Clay Baker and his brothers. Determine if any women accused Clay of assault or drugging their drinks while he attended college and law school.”
“That’s no problem,” Brigid said. “It may take me a little time because I may have to get on the phone. If I can’t get answers, I’ll head to the different campuses.”
Millie stiffened. “Oh no, Brigid. I don’t want to take you from other work.”
“No, really. I’m just sitting here. People call in and I do computer research. I’m pretty bored, to be honest with you.”
This might work out, so long as Brigid kept her request between them. “I owe you one,” Millie said.
“No problem. Anything else?”
Millie shifted her weight and settled back against a plush light pink pillow. “Could you conduct a full background check on Werner Dearth? He’s on the other side of Scott’s divorce case, and his wife is missing. He also threatened me, and I’m wondering if he’s an actual threat. The HDD has an active case against him right now, so there should be some background materials at headquarters, but you’re better than their investigators.”
“I appreciate that,” Brigid murmured. “Now I have my to-do list. Are you sure you don’t require backup?”
Sweet as the offer might be, Millie couldn’t take team members off their missions. Plus, she felt safe with Scott and Roscoe around. “I’m positive. Just give me a call when you have anything.”
“You’ve got it.”
“Thanks.” Millie clicked off.
She sat and stared at the river for a few moments before the beat of the music tempted her. So she stood and followed the sound, wandering through the high-end kitchen with its marble countertops, past an open door where she could see an office now occupied by Scott, to a wide double door. She knocked and nobody answered, but Theresa had told her to come visit, so she pushed open the door and then stopped, stunned.
The room, twice the size of the living room, boasted floor-to-ceiling windows. Natural light poured in those stunning windows as the panoramic view of the Potomac provided a still contrast to the wild room.
Paint streaked every visible surface.
