Page 15 of Cold Silence
She smiled—but it was forced.
“So is there anything unusual in your schedule for the next few days that I need to know about?”
“Not that I can think of.” She tapped her chin. “Oh, wait. Saturday night we have a work party. It’s the sixth anniversary of starting this project, and I planned a celebration to honor the staff.”
Something every insider would know about. “Where is this event happening?”
“Local hotel.”
“If this isn’t resolved, I don’t know if you’ll be able to attend.”
“Attending is not optional. Iwillbe there.”
“Then let’s hope we have this guy in custody by then.”
She nodded. “I have an appointment on Friday to finalize the facility set up. I can’t miss that either.”
Not a good idea. Not at all. “Can’t you send Julie?”
“She’s already going, along with her boyfriend Eric, who is doing the music for the party, but I need to be there too.”
He would most likely forbid it, but he didn’t need to do it tonight. “We can wait to decide on Friday if this isn’t resolved by then.”
“You really think you can solve it before that?”
“I sure hope so.”
“I get it. Coming back here is the last thing you wanted to do and want to get back to your real life.” She wrapped her arms around her body.
He couldn’t argue with her, but he wouldn’t admit it. His stomach rumbled, giving him the perfect change in subject. “I haven’t had a decent Cuban sandwich since I was here last. Our favorite place still deliver?”
She nodded. “I can order it. I’m guessing you want your usual classic Cuban with a side of rice and beans and Jupina to drink.”
He loved that she remembered how much he liked the sweet pineapple soda and sandwich Cuban immigrants brought to Florida. They’d often shared that particular meal and longing surged through him for the easy relationship they’d once had. The relationship he couldn’t manage to keep his mind off of.
How could a woman who stood five-five on tiptoes wreak such havoc in his life?
“Sounds perfect,” he said, but had to get away to compose himself. He tossed his credit card on the table. “While you order, I’ll go check to see if everyone is gone. Use my card to pay, okay?”
“Okay,” she said, seeming distracted.
Despite the desire to know what she was thinking, he shed his jacket and hung it on the back of a chair. He rolled up the sleeves of his khaki dress shirt and then went into the hallway. Jerking his tie loose, he inhaled deeply and blew out his tension before making a circle of the building, checking every office, conference room, and restroom. Empty.
He went back to join Claire, who was staring into the distance and didn’t seem to notice him enter the room.
“All clear,” he said, not pleased that she wasn’t being vigilant. Or maybe she was just ignoring him. “I’ll text my Veritas contact that they’re clear to process the property. Maybe they can start early.”
“I’ll disable logins.” She silently moved to the computer.
He located Sierra Byrd’s phone number, the trace evidence expert, and told her the place was ready for them.
Finishing dinner. Will be there in 30,came her reply.
The landline rang. Adrenaline surged through his veins, and his hand automatically shot to his holstered weapon.
Claire grabbed the phone and listened. “Let him through.”
Ah, right. Had to be the guards asking about the delivery person bringing their dinner.
