Page 21 of Close Quarters

“This still doesn’t make sense. Why would she try to kill Katie?” Alex asked.

“Well, there was strife between you two, right?” Jace said.

Katie nodded. “Yeah, but nothing I would expect someone to shoot me over. If anyone has a right to be the angrier party, it’s me, because she basically called me a Luddite.”

Alex waved a hand. “Whatever this is about—and even if Amanda’s responsible—it’s not because she dislikes Katie. It has to do with this case. One of those bodies has a secret someone doesn’t want us to figure out.”

“I agree,” Seb said. “Which means digging into Amanda Pressley’s background just became priority number one.”

Katie stepped out of her bedroom, praying Alex would be up and dressed. When they left the police station last night, he insisted on coming home with her. She tried to tell him she would be fine, but he’d given her that same look he gave her when she wanted to put something somewhere in the lab he didn’t want it. She knew there was no budging him when he had that look, and she was too tired to put up a fight. If he wanted to stretch his six-foot-three-inch frame out on her couch, let him.

But now, in the light of day, she regretted not pushing back. She wasn’t ready to be faced with fresh out of bed, sexy Alex. The one who still had stubble on his jaw and maybe wasn’t wearing a shirt.

Taking a deep breath, she rounded the corner from the hallway and braced herself. The couch was empty. She sniffed, smelling coffee, and walked through the living room to the kitchen. Alex stood at the counter, drinking a mug of coffee, his phone in his hand. He looked up from scrolling and smiled when she entered.

“Hey. I hope you don’t mind. I made coffee and helped myself to a protein bar and a yogurt. We need to leave a little earlier than you normally would so I can go home and change.”

She frowned as she took in his rumpled state. “Why didn’t you just go home when you woke up? You followed me here last night.”

“I know, but I’m not leaving you alone.”

“Alex—”

He held up a hand. “Someone tried to shoot you. I know I’m not much protection since I’m not armed, but I’m at least another set of eyes and possibly a deterrent. Can we please not argue about this?”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Fine. But only because I don’t want to be late for work.” She walked over to the coffeemaker and poured some of the dark brew into a travel mug and snapped a lid on it. Moving to the fridge, she opened the freezer and took out a foil-wrapped breakfast burrito and tossed it in her lunch bag alongside a protein drink and a pre-made peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She zipped it closed and looked up to find a bemused expression on his face.

“What?”

“You eat like a grad student.”

“I am a grad student.”

He scoffed. “Hardly. Ph.D.’s are different. Especially when you already have a grown-up job.” He pushed away from the counter, dumping the last of his coffee in the sink. “If you’re ready, let’s go.”

She picked up her bag and followed him to the garage door where they left their shoes and coats when they came in the night before. In the garage, he pushed the button on the wall to open the overhead door, then paused and looked back.

“You should just ride with me. Unless Seb figures this out today, I’m coming back here tonight.”

She looked at him over the top of her glasses.

“Don’t give me that look. We had this discussion just a minute ago.” He took her hand and pulled her toward the open door.

“Alex!” She huffed and lengthened her stride to keep up with him, pausing only long enough to hit the button just inside the door to close it.

He stopped beside the passenger door of his SUV, spinning around to face her. “I know I’m being overbearing, but—” He broke off and glanced away a moment, pressing his lips together before continuing. “You aren’t the only one who was rattled by that video. Let me watch out for you? Please?” His voice dropped to a rough whisper.

Her shoulders fell. Dammit. “Fine.” She stepped around him to open the door, ignoring the smile blooming over his handsome face. Sinking into the seat, she set her coffee mug in the cup holder, then put her lunch bag and purse at her feet before fastening her seatbelt as he climbed in beside her.

He started the car, then turned to her. When he opened his mouth to speak, she held up a hand.

“Don’t. Just drive.”

“Make yourself comfortable,” Alex said as they entered his house. “I’ll be quick.”

Katie nodded and took off her coat, laying it on the island in his kitchen. He left his coat next to hers, then hurried out to go take a shower and change.

Once he was gone, she looked around. This place was nice. He lived in an upscale neighborhood near the edge of town. His house was a craftsman-style, the exterior a mix of stone and gray siding. In the kitchen, where they’d entered from the garage, smoky granite counters topped natural wood cabinets. Clay-colored slate tile floors completed the look.

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