Page 61 of Savage Beauty

“You think that’s the key to what’s going on?”

“That’s Interpol’s theory. They’ll help us figure out what we’re looking at. They want to see which databases she used to source her data.”

“How’s Knox and Sage?”

“Stella dropped off the call.” Erik can be a jackass. Like he doesn’t know how they’re doing.

“Jack here. No signs of concern. Sage returns to work Monday, I believe.”

“Thanks, Jack.”

“No problem. Keep your eyes open and keep Sloane safe. We still don’t fully understand what’s going on here.”

“Copy that.” An understatement if there ever was one.

The call ends, and I get Erik set up on the laptop. Watching him take over feels a bit like handing over the reins to another team, something I’m hardwired to take as a failure. But he’s working with technical resources I don’t possess out here with a couple of phones and a laptop. I tell myself it’s the same as handing it over to a reconnaissance team.

Out on the deck, I scan the beach and see the tall, dark-haired beauty strolling slowly along the beach. I dial Knox and kick back in a chair, happy to keep my eyes on her.

“Hey, man. I hear you’ve made progress.” Laidback happiness oozes from the guy. It’s in his tone. There’s a smile there I can hear.

“Keeping tabs?” I ask.

“You know it.”

“And things there?”

“Spent a couple of rough days with Sage salvaging what she can from her house. It’s emotional for her.” That sucks. I forget sometimes that she didn’t escape this ordeal unscathed.

“Fire destroyed everything, huh?”

“It did a number. I know we determined the goal of burning her house was to flush her out, but if you consider the fire intensity, you’d think they were set on eliminating evidence.”

“She taking it all okay?”

“Eh, I think losing her parents’ and Sam’s stuff hit her harder than losing anything she owned. But she’s at the school today.”

“Jack said she was going back Monday.”

“Nope. She’s been back for a couple of days.”

“And are you patrolling the school grounds?” The idea of a protective Knox hanging out in a school parking lot all day has me grinning.

“No. She teaches at a fancy private school that has security on the grounds. I hung out there at first, but based on the reports I’m hearing, the heat is off. You agree with that assessment?”

“Yeah. I do.” It’s a fair assessment. “We’re out of here tomorrow, if Stella can secure the plane for us.”

“That’s what I heard. A couple of other jobs are taking priority. Plus, we’re in investigative mode on this one. But I’m not actually working today.”

“Oh?”

“I’m house hunting. We’re crashing at Sage’s buddy’s house, and I’d like for us to get our own place.”

“No shitting?”

“Nope.”

“Good for you, man.” Never thought I’d see the day Knox got serious enough to move in with someone. But with a guy like Knox, I suppose it all comes down to timing. Those first few years, he witnessed so many relationships combust with the weight of distance, mine included, he pretty much refused to go down that rabbit hole. But now, there are no tours on the calendar. He’s done with all that. We’re done with all that.

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