Page 21 of Lost Cause
Probably a good thing. The more they limited their conversations, the less likely they’d get into an area that would be uncomfortable for both of them.
Her phone chimed with the team’s video call, and she quickly answered it on her laptop. Nolan Orr, Hayden Kraus, Jude French, Reece Waters, and of course, Gabe were present. Simply seeing her teammates—friends she’d known since college—helped ease her stress, but she wouldn’t waste time this late at night with greetings. She brought everyone up to speed on the crown theft and finding the locket.
“Whoa!” Reece said.
“I told you it was big time.” A gleam of eagerness shone in Gabe’s eyes. “And before anyone else says anything, if Abby needs backup onsite, I’m calling dibs.”
“Not so fast!” Jude shot forward. The former FBI agent ran a hand over his near-black hair trimmed with military precision—just like the beard, it clearly got VIP treatment. “I’d like in on the action.”
“You snooze, you lose.” Gabe blew on his fingernails and rubbed them across his chest. “I’m the man for the job. End of discussion.”
Jude grumbled, but the team had an unwritten rule of calling dibs, and if it made sense for the investigation, whoever called itfirst got the assignment. She waited a moment, glancing at the others, but no one objected.
After finding the locket and the possibilities it raised, the investigation could very well turn out to be something big. She needed the full team’s support, but specifically someone with her at the mansion for backup. But was Gabe the right person?
As a former Oregon state trooper, he certainly was qualified to do the job, but was it a good idea to bring in someone guaranteed to butt heads with Burke? Gabe pushed the boundaries all the time, and he didn’t have an extreme amount of tact and could often be sarcastic.
Problem was, people outside the team didn’t know that a lot of his behavior stemmed from his childhood, and he often used sarcasm as a defense mechanism when he was uncomfortable. They also didn’t know he was the type to step up for anyone in need. All they saw was the sarcasm and his forthright behavior.
If she chose him, she could help tone him down. Or maybe the opposite was true. Maybe she needed someone like Gabe who could unquestionably hold his own against a strong detective. And she respected Gabe’s investigative skills and his motivation.
She looked into the camera. “Before volunteering, you might want to know whoever works this investigation will be deputized and report to Detective Burke Ulrich.”
Gabe pinched the bridge of his nose. “So we’ll have to do this by the book.”
“As much as possible, but the investigation and our client come first. I’m sure we’ll be standing our ground more often than Burke would hope.”
Gabe rubbed his hands together in front of the camera. “Then I’m your man.”
“True, but I hope you’ll tone down the sarcasm.”
“I can do that. Or at least I can try.” He grinned.
“You’ll need to stay in a cabin on the Blackwell compound for the duration,” she said, hoping there was another one available so she didn’t have to bunk with Gabe.
“No worries. I can rough it with the best.” He flashed a smile. “Do you want me to leave right now?”
She shook her head. “I’m meeting Burke at the mansion at eight a.m. I’d like you there. When you figure out your departure time, you need to factor in the ferry ride to the island. You have to be on the six a.m. departure to make it on time.”
He groaned. “Early mornings aren’t my thing, but I’ll make it by six. I’ll grab a few hours of sleep then head out around two-thirty.”
“I can pack snacks and send them along with him.” Reece shifted to eye Gabe, keeping the flawless posture she’d learned as a runway model in college. “The box will be sealed, and it better arrive the same way.”
Gabe’s stunned expression was so fake it bordered on theatrical. “But it’s a three-hour drive. How ever will I survive that long without food?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make a care package just for you.” Reece always mothered them with homemade goodies and cooked nearly all of their meals.
“That’s more like it.” Gabe grinned.
Abby smiled. “Once we’re in the thick of things, we’ll both appreciate having your home-baked goodies.”
“What about clothing and toiletries, Abby?” Reece asked. “I know you didn’t plan to stay overnight, so I can pack a bag for you.”
Abby had hoped she would volunteer for this task. “I’d very much appreciate your help.”
“So,” Reece said. “Are we going for business wear, business casual, or just plain casual?”
She couldn’t get rid of the sight of Burke’s tailored suit and crisp shirt even at the time of night they’d met.
