“I really do,” Laurel agreed. “Things are heating up around Zeke Caine and Abigail, and I have another serial killer in the area targeting women—so far blondes. Mom, you’re blond.” She shook her head. “My experience and judgment indicate you’re in peril. My stress level would decrease if you moved up your travel plans.”
Deidre reached for her fork and plopped the mass of pasta into her mouth, chewing while staring at her the whole time. “I’ll need to talk to Dolores.”
“I appreciate that, Mom. I’ll pay for any fees incurred by changing plans.”
Deidre waved a hand in the air. “I have as much money as you do, Laurel Snow. I can afford my own fees. Plus, they’re all a write-off.” She leaned forward. “I don’t feel right leaving you here alone with your entire team out of town.”
Laurel couldn’t deny the sense of isolation right now, but she needed to abandon emotions and start strategizing. She took a bite of the perfectly seasoned pasta. She’d never understood how her mom created such delectable meals. No matter how many times Laurel attempted to measure ingredients and spices, she never achieved the same results. Deidre rarely used recipes and haphazardly tossed in ingredients.
“I’m not alone, Mom. I’m an FBI agent.” One without a team in place.
“You promise you’ll stay with Huck or he’ll stay here?”
Laurel’s shoulders finally relaxed now that her mom had agreed to leave town. “Of course.”
Deidre grinned. “Are you actually working on instinct here, like a gut feeling?”
“Oh, no.” Laurel hurried to assure her mother. “I’m calculating risks and odds and what I know about Zeke Caine, Jason Abbott, Abigail Caine, and whoever the serial killer might be if it’s not Abbott.”
“Do you think it’s Abbott?”
Laurel looked down at her half-finished dinner. “I really don’t know.” How irritating.
“How soon do you want me to leave?”
“Tomorrow works for me,” Laurel said.
Deidre’s jaw dropped. “Laurel, I can’t leave tomorrow.”
“Sure, you can. I already looked into it.” She forced a smile. “In fact, I have you and Dolores booked at a luxury spa in Arizona for three days before you take the long flight to Asia to obtain the best tea ingredients in the world.”
Deidre took a big gulp of her wine. “I believe that’s bribery.”
“It’s on me, and I already prepaid. The spa does not offer refunds.”
Deidre’s mouth opened. “Laurel Snow, that is blackmail.”
Laurel accepted the label without hesitation. “Guilty of blackmail and bribery in one night. That’s a new one for me.”
“That’s a new one for me, too.” Deidre pushed away from the table and stood. “I have to pack.”
“I am happy to help, and I already contacted Dolores. A car service will collect her and then arrive here tomorrow morning at five o’clock.”
Deidre threw both hands up. “Five in the morning? Laurel, I can’t possibly—”
“Yes, you can. I already talked to your employees. Sally and June are more than happy to take over. They were planning to do it in two weeks anyway, so we’re just starting a bit earlier.”
Deidre put both hands on her trim hips. “What did you bribe them with?”
Laurel blanched. “Thousand-dollar bonuses each week.”
Deidre shook her head. “I taught you too well.”
Laurel warmed. “That’s kind of you to say. I can afford it, Mom, and having you out of town eases my mind while I work these cases.”
“That does matter to me.” Deidre leaned in and kissed her forehead. “Although you have to promise me you’ll be safe.”
“I promise. I’ve been trained by the best.”
