Page 20 of Sinful Beauty

“This scarf is sufficient.”

He lifts his coat and places it around my shoulders. Part of me wants to defiantly shrug it off, but another part of me appreciates the thoughtful gesture.

Of course, if he throws himself at me outside my place or forces himself on me, I’ll feel silly for all the swell of cordial feelings.

Outside the pub, the wind forces our heads down, making conversation difficult for the two blocks to my place. His arm rests on my lower back, and I don’t push him away, because he may be seeking warmth. I’ve got his coat.

“This is me,” I say as we arrive at the nondescript building with unassuming architecture. “Thank you for this.” He takes the coat back and I brace myself.

Is he a good guy? Did I read his character correctly?

“I’ll wait until you’re in.”

I hesitate, mumble a thank you, and it’s not until I’m inside, looking back through the glass pane, that I see him standing there, watching with the air of an inquisitive protector.

Chapter7

Tristan

“Can you talk?”

I glance out the office door, pressing my mobile to my ear.

Lucia isn’t at her desk, and the hallway is clear.

“Yes.”

“Doug Dolsten died earlier today.”

“Cause of death?”

“Heart attack is what I’m being told. Nothing official has come through. No foul play suspected.”

“I’ll have Ozzie review the tapes.” We didn’t allocate live monitoring, although in theory, our systems would have alerted us if it picked up stress tones or keywords.

“Her team is on it. But, according to his passport, he’s been abroad since you visited his property.”

“Where did he pass?”

“Outside of Heathrow.”

Which means someone could have intercepted him on the plane or in Heathrow.

“Are they doing an autopsy?”

“We’re working on it.”

He’s never home.

His wife’s commentary says it all. Dr. Dolsten had been a traveling executive who worked himself to death or ventured into a land of vipers, or perhaps a mix of the two. The autopsy may reveal the complete story.

“Any updates?”

“No.”

“Still keen on this endeavor of yours?”

“Quite.” Although, my appetite for protecting the Wagner family name has diminished since meeting my father’s girlfriend.

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