The floorboards behind them creaked and David tucked Mati closer, happy to have a likely explanation for someone being in the other room, but not taking any chances.
Reese studied David’s face, then looked back at Muffy. “I’d love to meet Hunter again after all this time. I’m sure I won’t recognize him. I haven’t seen him in years.”
Muffy’s smile was wooden. “Hunter! Come on out and say hi.”
A tall, gangly kid shuffled into the room, intensely disgruntled in that way only teenagers could manage—his shoulders curved in, his expression bleak, his endless tragedy highlighted by his black t-shirt and skin-tight gray jeans.
David would never understand dudes in skinny jeans, but the advantage was that no one could hide a damn thing in them. These were so tight, David would have known if Hunter had been attempting to conceal a paperclip, let alone a weapon.
He relaxed marginally.
“Hi, Mr. Lamont,” Hunter said dutifully before staring at his mother blankly.
Muffy sighed, her patience clearly strained. “This is Matilda Viveiros, Mr. Lamont’s associate, and David…”
David thrust his hand out. “Zapetti,” he offered, shaking the kid’s hand firmly. If he had to guess, he’d say Hunter was sixteen at most. David wondered why he wasn’t in school. “I’m Mr. Lamont’s bodyguard.”
Mati flinched, and Reese’s mouth dropped open, but Hunter’s wide eyes and snow-pale face interested David most.
“Bodyguard? Is everything okay?” Muffy asked. She appeared genuinely distressed at the idea that Reese might be in danger.
“Fine,” Reese said shortly, frowning at David. He could hear the lecture about why he was actually invited to Canada coming from a mile away.
Hunter stepped back the moment David released his hand. With a look at his mother, he darted back into the other room.
“Well, that’s good to hear,” Muffy said. “I’m sorry to say Chaz isn’t here.”
Reese smiled benignly. “Well, we didn’t have an appointment. I was hoping to touch base with him about some important matters. Will he be back soon?”
“He’s away on vacation. He decided to take a quick break.”
So, Chazhadlied about being in Boston on business.
“Where’d he go?” Mati asked. “Somewhere warm, I hope.”
“No. He’s in Boston, visiting a friend.”
“Oh, great city, I hear,” David said with enthusiasm. Reese’s lips twitched. “Does Chaz have much business down there? Nice to be able to combine work with his break.”
“No, it’s just a vacation,” Muffy repeated, eyeing David.
“Can I ask you a strange question?” David said as he fished his phone from his pocket and held it out to her. “Have you seen this man before?”
Muffy stared at the grainy shot from the garage video on David’s screen, her brows drawing together. “Yes. That’s Chaz’s college roommate, Brian Simpson. That’s who he’s visiting.”
“In Boston,” David clarified.
“That’s right.” She turned to Mati. “What’s going on?”
Mati took her hand and sat with her on the couch in the waiting area. “We can’t really explain right now, but we need to get in touch with Chaz. Do you know when he’ll be back?”
“No. I mean, he should be back in the next day or two, but…”
“Can you call me when he gets here? You have my cell, right?”
Muffy flashed a smile. “Yes, of course.”
“Great, thank you,” Mati said. “You can text if it’s easier.”
