Page 34 of Speak No Evil

He ran through the apps and settings. He couldn’t find anything but he didn’t like her using this. “You should probably get a new one.”

“Maybe.” She sagged and continued to search her bag. “When he appeared, I thought we’d missed a second tracking tag, but I don’t see one. He did take my wallet. That’s no big loss. I was only carrying some small bills.”

“After hearing what you told the cops, I’ll bet he’d been after the lab keys.”

“They aren’t metal keys, but cards. And I don’t carry them in a big tote bag. That would be tempting fate. I carry them on my person whenever I leave the building. I need to know exactly where they are at all times. When I visited Ireland with Leslie, I discovered underwear with hidden wallets.” She ran a finger under her breasts. “I expect you didn’t notice last night.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “You sure you’re not a spy?”

“It’s not listed in my job description, but my boss is entrusting me with the security of the lab and the virus. I’m willing to go the extra mile.”

After resting a few more minutes, they caught a cab to urgent care for an X-ray and a better when his cell rang. He pulled Gwen back into the clinic’s waiting room and found his cell. “Strongbow.”

“Will? Is that you?” a breathy female voice asked.

He hadn’t had a relationship in a while and had no idea who this could be calling. “Who’s this?”

“Leslie Black. You met me last night? Talked with my dad?”

Right. He relaxed and glanced at Gwen. Her cousin must have gotten his number from her father. “Of course, I remember.”

Leslie sounded breathless. Will stiffened, automatically alert to a problem. “Is Gwen with you?” she asked. “She’s not answering her phone.”

“I’m standing right beside her. “You want to talk to her?”

“Yeah. If you don’t mind.”

“Don’t mind at all.” Will covered the microphone and leaned closer to Gwen. “You up to talking to Leslie?”

Gwen reached for his phone. “Hey, Leslie.”

“Where have you been?” Her cousin demanded. “I’ve been sending you messages all day.”

“Why?” She glanced at Will. No way was she telling Leslie she’d been detained by a mercenary. That word would conjure photos of a guy in camo, draped with guns. She picked at a fingernail. “Is there something wrong?”

“Not that I know of. Dad and Mom wanted to know if you wanted to come to dinner. You and Will. I’m assuming you’re still seeing him.”

Gwen smiled at Will. “You could say that.”

“What’s that mean? Never mind. So do you two want to come over for dinner tonight?”

“Tonight?” She glanced at Will and mimicked eating, raising her brows.

“That’s fine,” Will whispered. “Get them to meet us somewhere away from their house.”

“Good idea.” Gwen put the phone back to her ear. Voices and music came over the connection. “Leslie?” She paused, waiting. “You there?”

“So, are you coming?” her cousin asked.

“Let’s meet somewhere.” Gwen rubbed her palm down her hip. At some point she’d have to come clean about what was happening, but not now. “I don’t want to put Aunt Kathy out.”

“She loves to cook, you know that.”

“She cooks all the time. I’m sure she could use a break. What about the Cheese Barrel? Aunt Kathy and Gran like that place, don’t they?”

Gwen heard Leslie talking with the others. “Okay,” she told Gwen. “Uncle Tim says that’s fine, but can you get there early? Like five-ish? He wants to get be here to watch something on TV.”

“Five o’clock?” Gwen looked at Will.

---