I take his hand, feeling brief, recognition. He’s the FBI agent I’m supposed to correspond with on the RICO case.
“Lindsay Beaumont.”
“I know,” he says easily. “I have to say, you are nothing like what I was expecting.”
“And what were you expecting?”
“Well, I knew you were gorgeous, just didn’t think you’d be into cute, quirky things like this,” he says, raising the book with a small smile.
I study him for a second, recalibrating, “What are the chances that you just happened to show up here?”
The question is careful, cautious. FBI agent or not, if he’s a stalker, then I need to be wary.
Fadden considers that, “Low,” he admits. “But not impossible. I take walks around this park sometimes. Helps me clear my head.”
I hold his gaze, choosing to believe him. “Alright. And how may I help you, Agent Fadden?”
“Well, I was hoping we could grab a coffee? Maybe talk about the case. Since we already ran into each other, it would be a waste,” he states.
“It’s my day off,” I tell him.
He grins. “And?”
“And I’m not supposed to be working.”
“Haven’t you heard, Ms. Beaumont? Crime doesn’t sleep. It certainly doesn’t take days off. Come on, let’s have a coffee together. I promise not to keep you too long.”
“If I say no, I’ll look like a bitch.”
“Exactly,” he agrees, and I roll my eyes. “Let’s go. There’s a café not far from here.”
“We can take my car,” I say on a sigh, leading him toward the curb.
He lets out a small appreciative whistle when his gaze lands on the car.
“A Mercedes-Maybach S-Class,” he says slowly. “They said you were a rich girl. But you’ve got a lot of style too, Ms. Beaumont.”
I frown. “Who said?”
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” he tells me. “Although it’s nothing compared to meeting you personally. You grow more interesting the more time I spend with you.”
I meet his gaze with an unflinching one of my own. “Okay, you need to tone down the flirting. Especially if we’re going to be working together.”
“Who says I’m flirting with you?” he retorts, grinning. “It’s the accent. British people can’t help their natural charm.”
My nose wrinkles and I open the driver’s side door. “Well if you could please dial down your charm a little, Agent Fadden, maybe we’ll be able to work together.”
“I’ll do my best,” he says solemnly, moving around to the passenger side. “I’m sure we’ll work great together, rich girl.”
He winks and I roll my eyes again. I know all about guys like Fadden. And usually I’d be inclined to play along with him. He’s the exact type of guy I should be drawn to. But we do have to work together, and lately my thoughts are constantly consumed by a man that has no business in my head.
Right before I get into the car, though, something shifts in the air. It’s subtle, a feeling more than anything else. Like I’m being watched. I glance up, then look behind me. My eyes scan the street, the park entrance, the scattered movement of people passing by. But there’s nothing unusual. No one lingering or looking.
Still, the feeling doesn’t leave.
“Everything alright?” Fadden asks, watching me.
He’s more serious than he was a minute ago. There’s a beat, and then I reply.
