“It is. For several reasons.” A haunted look fell over Scarlett’s pretty face for a split second, and then it was gone. “But now I have three other consultations waiting in line, including a possible serial in Anchorage, so it’s not like I’ll be taking a vacation anytime soon. Regardless, I figured I could spare some time to help out a friend before trying to determine if the deaths of four Alaskan women are in any way connected.”
“And here, I thoughtmyjob was interesting,” Natalia teased.
A soft chuckle left Scarlett’s delicate shoulders shaking. A brief moment later, however, the spunky redhead brought her knowing gaze Natalia’s way.
“So. Are you planning on waiting until we get all the way to your place, or do you just want to ask me now?”
“Ask you what?”
The unintentional subterfuge was an automatic response. An unfortunate side effect of the job and all that.
“Girl, please.” Scarlett’s focus returned to the bustling D.C. traffic. “That brain of yours has been working overtime from the second you sat down in my car.”
Natalia’s brows fell in the center as she studied her friend’s flawless profile. “Have I ever told you how annoying it is that you can read me so well?”
Scarlett’s red lips rose at the corners. “Several times, actually. To which, I always remindyouthat my ability to read people is simply a part of my God-given charm.”
The wink she gave was as unapologetic as the woman herself.
“Okay, fine. You got me. I actually have two more favors to ask.”
“I’m assuming they’re more involved than something as simple as picking you up from the airport?”
You could say that.
“I need the security feed from the hotel I stayed at in Chicago.”
A swirl of red hair flung to the side as Scarlett swung her widened gaze back in Natalia’s direction. “I’m sorry, what?”
Sticking with the basics, Natalia quickly shared the story about finding the envelope and picture on her nightstand.
“Someone broke into your hotel room and left you a picture from your past?” Scarlett frowned. “Why would someone do that?”
“No idea.”Wish like hell I did.“That’s why I need the footage from the cameras in the lobby, the hallway outside my room, and the sidewalk out front. I’m hoping we’ll get lucky with a hit on facial rec from one of the hotel’s security cameras.”
Or maybe even the CCTV from the adjacent street.
“Assuming you’re right, and that the envelope and pic are useless, which I’m sure they are…” Scarlett paused. “If the guy’s smart enough to get into your room unnoticed, don’t you think he’d have avoided the cameras altogether?”
“Maybe. Probably.” Natalia sighed. “If that’s the case, I’m pretty much stuck at square one. But I have to at least try.”
“Of course, you do.”
She looked over at her friend who’d just flipped on her turn signal in preparation of changing lanes. “Is that your way of saying you’ll help me?”
“Someone’s trying to mess with you, Talia. I know we haven’t known each other all that long, but there’s no way I’m going to just sit back and hope you eventually figure out who it is on your own.”
Warmth spread across her chest as she gave her friend a small smile. “Thank you. And just so you know, if the situation were reversed, I wouldn’t hesitate to help you, too.”
“I know.” The cocky woman shrugged a shoulder and grinned. “And don’t think I won’t hit you up some day to collect.”
Natalia chuckled softly. “I really appreciate you looking into this for me. I know hacking into an unsuspecting hotel’smainframe is pretty much the opposite of leaving that part of your life behind, but?—”
“Some creep was in your room, Tal.” Scarlett used an even shorter version of her name while effectively shutting down any talk about the other woman’s past. “Who knows how long he was in there? Or worse, what hedidwhile he was in there. And from what you’ve told me, it’s obvious that whatever this is…it’s personal.” The beautiful redhead turned onto Natalia’s street. “I do have to ask, though—and just so we’re clear, I’m happy to help in any way I can, but—why didn’t you just ask one of the Delta guys to do it while you were still in Chicago?”
The question wasn’t altogether unexpected and given that the woman was so willing to help, she probably deserved the full, unabridged truth. But Natalia had neither the time nor the desire to get into it now, so she stuck with a much simpler response.
“It’s like you said.” She met her friend’s stare. “This is personal.”
