Page 28 of Carnal Risk

“Deadly nightshade. It’s a plant indigenous to many parts of the world including Europe and Africa but it grows here too,” Selby offered before Garrett had a chance to answer.

“Its berries can kill, but it’s the leaves that are even more deadly,” Garrett added. Despite Selby disobeying his command not to talk during the meeting, he couldn’t help but be impressed with her knowledge. Still, he considered that she needed to learn how to follow instructions.

“They used to make poison darts with the berries, but you’re on target with how he died. It was ingested,” Dean offered.

“How the hell could he have eaten it? Besides, I’m telling you that he was fine before we left. He gave me the thumbs up before he jumped. It was all good.” Garrett pushed out of his chair and went to the floor-to-ceiling window. From his office, the sunset beckoned over the ocean.

“We don’t know that yet, now do we?”

“Belladonna. It’s been a while since I’ve studied this, but as I recall, it causes hallucinations…affects the mind,” Garrett said. “If he’d somehow eaten it, which I don’t even get that part because I’m tellin’ you he was fine, but let’s just assume he ate it, something again he never ever does before a jump, I guess that might explain how he didn’t see a problem with his gear.”

“If they hadn’t messed with it, the chute would have automatically deployed. He’d vomited prior to landing. But you know…the condition of his body. It was difficult to see what had happened at the time.”

“Yeah,” was all Garrett could manage. The sight of his friend’s mangled body would haunt him forever. Evan had lost a hand as well as part of a leg. Face down, his skull had cracked wide open, exposing his brain.

“So about the files…”

“I’ll get you what I’m allowed to share with you. You know this, Dean. There are some things you cannot see. No matter how much I want to share them, I can’t. If I did, that’d be paramount to treason, something I’m not going to do, not even for Evan.”

“All right, but I may need to take further legal steps.”

“You do that. Hey, if you can get a court to get me to expose my projects, then so be it. But you don’t have cause right now. All you’ve got is a theory that his death is related to work. No proof at all. And like I said, I think you have other people in his life with motivation.”

“A woman thinking he was a dick is a far cry from murdering him,” Dean countered. He slipped a folder into his briefcase and stood.

“People kill all the time for pretty much no reason. We don’t know who he’s been dating on the side.”

“He hasn’t brought anyone to the club. Sure he’s played with a few of the women there, but he hasn’t…”

Garrett shot Dean a look in an attempt to silence him. His eyes darted to Lars, who shook his head. He hadn’t told Selby about Altura. He’d planned to tell her, to invite her to the party on Saturday, but he hadn’t had a chance to discuss it with her yet.

“What?” Dean asked.

“I’ll tell you later.” Garrett caught Selby staring at him and he broke eye contact.

“We should be done here in a few more hours,” Dean told him. As he went to leave, he hesitated. “One more thing. I noticed some glass in his office. Looks like a few specks of blood as well. Any idea how that happened?”

“I was in his office last night.” Garrett’s eyes darted to Selby’s for only a second and then he firmly met Dean’s gaze. “I was looking at that photo of us…remember when we climbed Denali? Selby came looking for me and I accidentally dropped it. We were cleaning up the glass, and she cut her hand. It’s her blood you’ll find in there.”

“Yeah, I saw the mess. Just wondered what went on.”

“I was going to clean it up but I forgot to tell housekeeping about it. Staff has been ordered to stay out, so no one’s been allowed in his office.” Garrett approached Dean and offered his hand. “Listen, I’m sorry to be a hardass but my hands are tied. We’ll catch up on Saturday.”

“I know this has been hard on you, Garrett. You know I’m damn sorry about Evan.” Dean shook and released Garrett’s hand, then turned to Selby and Lars. “Miss Reynolds, I’ll meet up with you to get the files?”

“She’ll be out to assist with them in a few minutes,” Garrett answered for her.

He shut the door behind Dean and sighed. “Lars, I need to talk to Selby.”

“I can’t believe he was murdered,” Lars exclaimed, ignoring Garrett’s implied request for him to leave. “Do you really think he was working on something someone would kill for?”

“I can’t believe any of this is happening either. And yeah, Dean could be right. But at the same time, I can’t disclose secrets to someone who doesn’t have the clearances I sponsor. It’s just not happening. Speaking of which…Lars, can I call you later? Right now I have to talk to Selby. In private.”

“Yeah, sure,” Lars agreed.

Garrett inwardly protested as he watched Lars hug Selby goodbye. As she returned his embrace, Garrett wondered if their relationship had gone further than friendship. Not usually a jealous man, the thought of her with anyone else bothered him. He wanted Selby for himself, he thought. Despite sharing other women with Lars, there was something about Selby that made him think that wouldn’t ever happen.

As Lars waved goodbye and left his office, Garrett steeled himself for the conversation with Selby. He’d been stern with her, perhaps going as far as to embarrass her in order to establish dominance. It was how it had to be. In business, he’d seek her valuable opinion on many matters, but in the end, all decisions were his and his alone to make.