Page 29 of Hidden Depths

“Yeah. I imagine you give support to investigations?”

“Uh, yeah. But I had to hand everything over when I came here. Couldn’t leave any loose ends to await my return.”

“What’s the last case you worked on?”

“It was, uh, some accounting firm. I processed the evidence.”

“You’re a forensic accountant?”

“No. I didn’t go through their books. Just the other stuff.”

Why did he insist on lying to her? “You ever work on cases involving witness protection?” She watched him to gauge his response.

“No. I’ve never been involved with WITSEC.”

“What kind of cases do you handle?”

“You’re awfully interested in my job all of the sudden.”

They were nearing the beach, and it was busy. She wouldn’t enjoy lunch if he continued to evade the truth with her. It was clear now that he was hiding something, and it was for a reason. If it involved her, she had every right to know why.

She stopped walking and crossed her arms. “Why are you here?”

“You led the way, remember? The food van?”

“That’s not what I mean, and you know it. Why are you in the Keys?”

“I already told you. I’m on forced leave for stress.”

“What stress?”

His face widened in surprise at her harsh tone. “The same type of stress anyone gets at work. I’ve got a lot on my plate, and sometimes I work too hard.”

“You’re lying.”

He scoffed in jest. “What makes you think I’m lying?”

“You’re lying about something.”

“If you tell me what part you don’t believe, I can rectify any misunderstanding.”

“Your story doesn’t add up.”

“Perhaps I didn’t explain myself well? Ask me anything.”

“And you’ll tell me the truth?”

He took a deep breath. “Sure. Why not?”

“Do you really work for the Department of Justice?”

“Yes.”

“Which part? I know you don’t spend every day sitting at a desk.”

“How do you know?”

She walked up to him and pushed a finger into his bicep. “You get arms like that typing on a keyboard?”

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