Page 46 of The Devil's Revelation
“Be there in ten. Shadow’s with me.” He hangs up and I head back to my office.
When I walk in, Izzy is sitting there, sipping on a bottle of water, and staring straight ahead. “You okay?” I ask her as I shut the door behind me.
“Kicking myself mostly,” she answers honestly, looking up at me when I step in front of her and lean back against the desk. “I’ve been there over a month and you would think I would have seen some sign, seen something that would give me a clue.”
“Honey, those kinds of operations, they make sure that you don’t notice things. Sounds to me like someone was sloppy.”
She gives a humorless laugh. “Not sure why, but that doesn’t make me feel better. I’m better than this. I mean, I’m not completely green. I know these things happen, but I promised myself I would never work for a shop that allowed that, and what did I do?”
“Izzy,” I say firmly, “stop kicking yourself over this. The good thing is you’re out of there now.”
“Won’t it look suspicious if I never go back?”
“Probably, but by the time they figure it out, hopefully we’ll know what’s going on and can make a plan. And you know there’s a bay here. The job is yours if you want it.”
She shrugs. “I saw the kid out there before I came in, so I figured you already found someone.”
“He’s a prospect. He’s filling in until we hire someone. He’s smart, but I’ll gladly take you over him.”
She nods, but doesn’t look all that sure. She puts her head in her hands and sighs loudly. “God, there are days I think I should have stayed in Missouri and worked with Zeb like he wanted. Maybe I’m not cut out for being on my own until I have more experience under my belt.”
I shake my head, even though she can’t see it from behind her hands. “No, you’re right where you’re supposed to be, Izzy. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t have met me, and that would be a damn tragedy.”
She gives a soft laugh. “Cocky much?”
I smirk at her. “If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll find out.”
She rolls her eyes. “I walked into that one, but are you always this cheesy?”
I shrug. “Probably.”
Just then the door opens and my father and Shadow stroll in. They both zero in on Izzy, and then look at me briefly before they introduce themselves and shake her hand. I move out of the way, and move behind Izzy to stand by the door. Dad takes the seat behind the desk and Shadow leans against the wall by the filing cabinet. “Nice to meet you, Izzy, and I’m sure my wife will be pissed she couldn’t come and see you. Though I got the feeling you have some important information for us. So how about we start with you telling me what’s going on,” Dad says briskly. “Leave nothing out, darlin’, because I need all the facts.”
Izzy glances at me, and I nod for her to go ahead.
She looks back at Dad, takes a deep breath, and tells her story.
