Cassie shot a worried gaze at her uncle.
Before Luke could speak, Ian said, “It’s okay. Don’t worry. Your secrets are safe with me.” He handed her the small credentials wallet holding her FBI identification, which Knight had also stolen.
Cassie flushed. “Goodness. I’m sorry, Mr. Cha… Ian, if I offended you with my comment. Oh, God. I never thought you would know him. If he’s a friend, I do apologize.”
“Don’t worry. Greg and I have known each other for a long time. Please don’t judge me.” It seemed like he could not take his eyes off her. “I’d better get going. I’ll leave you to your uncle.” He reached for her hand, his huge palm dwarfing her delicate fingers. “Good day, Cassie. I look forward to seeing you again.”
The brief touch confirmed what Cassie’s body knew: Ian Chase was her bearded stranger.I wish things could be different. You won’t like me once you know what I am.
* * *
Luke walked Ian to the front door. “Thank you. Chase Security came through again. It would be a Homeland nightmare if Dr. Breckenridge spent one more day in their custody. If it wasn’t for you and your team…” Luke’s lips pressed into a tight line.
“I’ll tell them. Call us anytime. My best to Rachel and Team Paulsen.” That was his nickname for the five Paulsen sons. He glanced down the hall.
“She’s lovely, isn’t she?” Luke asked.
“Yes, sir. She is.”
A sad look passed Luke’s eyes. “She’s dear to us.”
Ian nodded and moved to the bike. Tapping his Bluetooth, he said, “I want a complete background check on FBI Special Agent Dr. Cassie Ellis Modine.”
Chapter Two
Robert Bynum Jr. sat alone in his black BMW, drumming nervous fingers on the steering wheel, waiting for the call to connect. “Guess who I saw today.”
A stern male voice responded, “I don’t have time to play. I told you never to call me again. What do you want?”
Robert inhaled his cigarette. “You better have time. I’m not that weak-willed son of yours. I just saw a cute familiar face in Pages. She is as yummy as ever. I think it’s time for seconds.” He watched out the driver’s side window.
“What do you want? Did she see you?”
Robert blew out a smoke ring. “I was thinking maybe twenty-five grand to start. The folks are tightening up my expense account. And what would it matter if she saw me? She knows me. Hell, we were together at the house for a holiday party or two. I can jog her memory, so she remembers you?”
“Damn, that night was a disaster. If you think I’m going to let a drug addict blackmail me, you have another thought coming. Stay away from her.”
“I’m feeling nostalgic. I need an incentive.”
The next call went to his partner. “Hey, pal. Guess who I just saw?”
* * *
Luke stared at the woman he loved like his child. “Forgive me, Pumpkin. What brings you here this early? Free time with Sophie is rare. What’s wrong?”
Cassie twirled her fingers in her lap as a big sigh escaped her lips. “I never can get anything past you, can I?” She sank deeper into the couch. “I’m sure it’s nothing, but when I was in the bookstore, I had a panic attack. The last one was a long time ago.”
Luke’s expression was paternal. “Do you know what triggered it, honey?”
“A smell. Just a whiff, but I swear it was Clive Christian cologne and clove cigarettes. Uncle Luke, it’s been four years since an attack.”
“Did you see anything odd or anyone familiar?”
“No, it was just a whiff.”
“Could it be the new assignment? It must be digging up a lot of memories. And I don’t need to remind you, the anniversary is Thursday. Maybe you should go to Wilds and beg off?”
Her nose wrinkled. “Why would I do that? I’ve worked too hard for this. You know what would happen if I did; can you imagine? ‘Please take me off this case because I smelled my rapist’s cologne.’ My career would become a laughingstock. Besides, I refuse to give that man, whoever he is, that power.”
