Page 37 of Deep Tide

“I came down from Washington, D.C., for the wedding. But the reason I’m staying is for work.”

She studied his face, and he could tell she was trying to judge his truthfulness.

“So, that’s it. That’s all I can really say about it, but I wanted you to know. And I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t let other people know.”

She tipped her head to the side. “Know what? That you’re a federal agent?”

“Yes. That’s not a secret or anything, but I don’t want to draw attention to the fact that I’m down here working on something.”

“Hence, the fishing vacation BS.”

“Yeah.”

She gave him a long, measured look. Then she turned and opened the fridge again. He watched as she took out a bundle of greens wrapped in paper towels. She pulled several sprigs from the bundle and rinsed them under the faucet, then shook them out and placed them on a cutting board.

“What about Joel?” she asked.

“What about him?”

“Do you even know my brother, or was that crap, too?”

He smiled. “Of course I know him. He invited me to his wedding.”

She shot him a glare. “Not ‘of course.’ You lied to me about him, too. You said you guys worked the vice squad together in Houston.”

“Oh. Right.” He sighed. He’d forgotten about that particular lie.

“What else?” She folded her arms over her chest.

“What do you mean?”

“What else did you lie to me about?”

Sticky question. He couldn’t actually remember, and he’d probably lied about something over their three conversations—four if you counted the first one where she’d shouted at him like a drill sergeant and he’d been instantly turned on.

“Hello?” She leaned forward. “You really have to think about it?”

“Nothing.”

Her gaze narrowed.

“Is there something specific you want to know?” he asked, turning the tables.

“Why?”

He shrugged. “Ask me whatever you want. I’ll answer it if I can.”

She watched him, seeming intrigued by this new game.

“All right. Did you or did you not work with Joel in Houston?”

“We went through the police academy together. We lost touch for a while after that. I applied to the Bureau, and he moved down here after your father died—”

She arched her eyebrows, clearly surprised that he knew that personal detail.

“—and then we crossed paths again later, through work.”

“The task force Joel’s on.”

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