“If they hire me, next week. I’m meeting with them tomorrow to discuss scope and fees.” She smiled. “This is really happening. My own business. My own clients.”
“I’m proud of you.” And he meant it. Despite everything with the Shaw investigation, he could genuinely be happy for her success.
They cleaned up breakfast together, and Carson was heading for the shower when his phone rang.
Finn’s name showed on the screen.
Carson hesitated, remembering his promise to Nora. To find balance. To not let work consume him.
But this could be important.
He answered. “Yeah?”
“We’ve got movement. Shaw just booked a flight to Seattle. Arrives tomorrow. And get this, his credit card shows a reservation at The Brew & View for Tuesday afternoon. Private room in the back.”
Carson’s pulse quickened. “He’s meeting with Maggie.”
“That’s what it looks like. Captain wants surveillance in place. This could be our chance to catch them together, document the meeting.”
“I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
He ended the call and turned to find Nora standing in the doorway, her expression a mixture of resignation and hurt.
“You have to go,” she said.
“There’s been a development. Shaw’s coming to town. We might be able to catch him meeting with Maggie, prove their connection—”
“I understand. Go.” But her voice was flat.
“Nora—”
“I said go, Carson. The case is important. I get it.”
He wanted to stay. Wanted to show her he meant it about finding balance. But this was the break they’d been waiting for. A chance to get solid evidence against Shaw.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“I know.”
He kissed her quickly and left, missing the tears that welled in her eyes the moment the door closed.
***
The surveillance setup at The Brew & View took most of the day.
Silas and Knox positioned themselves in a panel van across the street with long-range cameras and recording equipment. Carson and Finn tookpositions inside an empty office building next door with a clear view of the coffee shop’s back room through the windows.
“This is good,” Finn said, adjusting the camera. “We’ll have visual and audio once we get the directional mic set up.”
Carson watched Maggie through the coffee shop windows. She looked like she always did—friendly, approachable, serving coffee with a smile.
It was hard to reconcile that image with the woman who might be laundering money and connecting criminals to a corrupt cop.
“You think she knows we’re watching?” Finn asked.
“If she does, she’s a better actress than I gave her credit for.” Carson zoomed in on the back room. “That’s where Shaw’s reservation is. Private room. Supposedly for ‘business meetings.’”
“How often does Maggie rent that room out?”
