Page 99 of Deep Tide

“That’s Miguel Vidales.”

Nicole glanced at the door.

“Side door. Coming in from the deck.”

Nicole turned around. Sure enough, the San Antonio reporter who had provided her with her best lead to date had just stepped into the coffee shop. Coincidence? Or had he seen her come in? There was also the unsettling possibility that he’d followed her over here from the police station.

Bailey leaned closer. “You know who that is, right? If you’re avoiding reporters, you may want to slip out.”

Nicole turned away before the guy could make eye contact. Of course, if he had come here specifically to talk to her, it was already too late.

“I wonder what he’s doing down here,” Bailey said with a frown. “He’s with the San Antonio Tribune.”

Nicole pretended to be clueless. “Is that right?”

“Yeah, and he’s a heavy hitter. He won an AP award a year ago for a series about official corruption in Mexico. But as far as I know, his paper isn’t covering the Albright thing.” Bailey’s gaze settled on Nicole, and she could see the reporter’s wheels turning.

Damn it. Would Miguel be bold enough to waltz up to her in a public place? Probably not, given his obsession with encrypted phone apps. Still, Nicole didn’t want to risk being cornered.

“Well.” Nicole checked her watch. “The line’s getting longer, not shorter. I think I’ll come back later.”

Bailey nodded.

“Nice meeting you, Bailey. You guys enjoy the rest of your stay.”

“We will.”

Nicole made her escape, careful not to look at the customers standing in line as she slipped out of the café. She returned to her car and had just popped the locks when she heard someone say her name.

“Damn it,” she muttered, turning around.

Miguel stood beside a gray Corolla in the row behind her. He nodded slightly.

Nicole stared back at him. The intense look in his dark eyes told her he really wanted to talk to her. But she didn’t want to be seen standing in front of a popular hangout talking to a reporter.

On the other hand, this man had provided her with the single most important lead of this entire case. So, was he here now for payback? The other half of his quid pro quo? Or did he have another tip for her?

He lifted his eyebrows and made another subtle nod toward his vehicle. Then he opened the door and slid behind the wheel.

“Damn it,” Nicole muttered again, almost certain she was about to do something she’d regret.

She walked over and got into his car.

•••

Sean leaned against the kitchen counter, watching Leyla give instructions in that brisk voice that she’d used on him the moment they met.

She shoved a lidded bowl into the fridge, then turned around and motioned for him to follow her out of the kitchen. His pulse picked up as she led him down the narrow hallway and into her tiny office.

“Hey.” She closed the door, and his pulse picked up again. “I don’t have long. I—”

He kissed her. He had to. She froze for a moment, and he thought he’d crossed some line. But then her fingers went into his hair, and she pressed herself against him.

He turned her, easing her up against the door she’d just closed. He slid his leg between her thighs, and she made a soft moan that sent a pang of lust through him.

“Sean.”

“Hmm?”

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