Page 22 of Jep

“Don’t be. It was good for me. It’s easy to become consumed by your work when you’re sitting in front of a computer all day.”

Jep came outside but turned to speak to someone they couldn’t see and laughed.

“This is going to be a long car ride home,” Em said.

“You don’t have to speak to him if you don’t want to.”

“Why didn’t you let him come in on his bike?”

“I want to feel him out. Make sure he’s right for the job.”

“I thought this deal was done.”

“No deal is ever final. I’m glad he’s agreed to work with us, but there’s no telling how things will go. We need to make sure we’re on top of this.”

“If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”

“You’ve already done more than your fair share. You don’t see Gardener out here, do you?”

“I think she would have relished the opportunity to give Jep a piece of her mind.”

“You’re probably right.”

“I’m serious, though. I don’t know what I could do, but if you need me to dig back into his old cases or anything, I’m your girl.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for offering.”

Jep headed their way, and they went silent as he opened the door to the back seat and tossed his jacket inside before sliding in and moving to the center.

“Everyone good?” he said, leaning forward.

“We’re ready if you are.”

He patted Pearce’s shoulder, then leaned back and put on his seatbelt with a wide grin across his face.

Em looked out her window and took a long silent breath. One more hour, and this would all be over.

Chapter 6

Jep’s fingerstapped on the seat beside him. He knew it wouldn’t all be this easy, but so far, he’d found a lot of amusement in the two sitting in the front. Like the way Emery tried not to look at him when he got in the car.

“You’re awful quiet up there, Emery,” he said to see how she’d react.

“I don’t speak when I have nothing to say.”

“Do you have any suits in your wardrobe anymore?” Pearce said.

“I barely wore a suit when I was there before.”

Emery’s head turned, but she didn’t look at him directly. Judging by her dress code, it must rub her the wrong way that he still wore jeans and a T-shirt with no intention of changing. He wasn’t against wearing a suit, but it was easier to get information from people when you didn’t look like you were above them.

“I thought I remembered that,” Pearce said. “But it’s worth having one or two for those occasions when you really need them.”

“I remember how to do my job. Don’t worry.”

“Sorry, I don’t mean to sound condescending.”

“That’s okay. You’re nervous about me coming back. Afraid you’ve made a grave mistake.”

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