“Reconsider doing the interview with Stacy, for Sophia’ssake.”
“You know how much I love and miss my sister, but I won’t be manipulated into doing something. Max has no integrity. And doing a story about a girl who’s been missing over a decade won’t bring herhome.”
She caressed his arm. “Please don’t dismissanything.”
Sadness shadowed his expression, but he redirected his attention to the open folder on the table. “I’ll give it some thought.” She didn’t believe him, but didn’t want to press the subjectfurther.
“How’s this going?” He spun the folder around. “Norris was a good man. Sadly, his drug addiction got in the way of his ability to do his job. I paid his rehab bill. Never heard from himagain.”
She closed Norris’s folder. “I met Larry Berry’s wifetoday.”
“Roberta,right?”
“Yeah. If I touched you in public, how would yourespond?”
“You’re going to have to narrow that down. Are we at the movies? At dinner? At a workevent?”
“Workevent.”
“Again, babe, it woulddepend.”
She smiled. He’d called her ‘babe’. “Let me explain. Larry Berry’s wife was sweet and affectionate toward him, but he appeareduncomfortable.”
“Maybe he’s not into public affection. Some people are private. I kissed you in my office because we were alone. If you’d been in reception, I wouldn’thave.”
“Well, darn, I was hoping for the big make out scene right out there in theopen.”
He chuckled. “Do you think you’re being overly suspicious?” He paused. “Never mind. Your hunch about the club was spot-on.” Crockett’s cell phone rang. “Excuse me. I’ve got to take this.” He answered. “Hey,Danny.”
After reviewing the roster, she grabbed the folder and left Crockett’s office. Ellen was pulling on her gloves. “You ready for the fifthfolder?”
“Please.” They exchanged folders. “Please make sure you give Crockett that one before youleave.”
“Will do. Thank you for yourhelp.”
“Of course.” Ellen slung her handbag over her shoulder and headed down the corridor. On the way back into Crockett’s office, she wondered if Larry would be staying late since he was too busy to take care of his own children. She dropped the folder on Crockett’s desk, then rushed out. As she rounded the corner, she caught a glimpse of Larry hurrying toward the exit. As soon as he punched the elevator button, he began texting. Alexandra glanced at the time. Five thirty-five.What’s the rush,Larry?
She returned to Crockett’s office and stopped short. With his back to her, he stared out the window at the evening sky. He’d removed his suit jacket. She appreciated his broad shoulders, long torso, and that amazingly hot ass. Crockett Wilde was a whole lottayummy.
“Not the news I wanted to hear, but I appreciate the headsup.”
Feeling like she’d walked into a private conversation, she eased into the chair at the conference table and flipped open the HRfolder.
“Yeah, dinner sometime sounds good. Give Allison my love.” His hand dropped to his side. He didn’t even bother hanging up. “Dammit. Dammit.” He joined her at the table. Darkness tinged his brighteyes.
“What did hesay?”
“Danny heard back from the source selection committee. The unofficial, off-the-record word is that they aren’t going to recommend we advance to RoundThree.”
“I’m sorry.” She squared her shoulders. “I’m not giving up. That means you aren’teither.”
“This is one fight I’m not going to win.” He exhaled a harsh breath. “Why’d you runout?”
“Keeping an eye onLarry.”
He eyed the open folder. “Makingprogress?”
She stared at Ruth Lizzard’s photo ID stapled to the inside pocket. Her long brown hair and heavy bangs hung like a tarp, her expressiondeadpan.
