Page 16 of Shadow Operative

Just then, Nia stepped off the elevator, stunning in her black pants, plum-colored shirt, and white tennis shoes. Casual yet captivating, he mused.

He forced a friendly smile. “Thanks for coming. You hungry?”

“Not really, but coffee sounds good.”

“Yes, it does,” he agreed. “Anywhere you’d recommend?”

“I know just the place—and it’s in walking distance.”

No doubt she’d chosen somewhere close on purpose. Smart woman. Then again, everyone knew Nia Anderson was smart. That was what Gage surmised after reading about her online.

But was she smart enough to murder Rob and get away with it?

They began walking down the sidewalk beside each other. It was February, but the weather in Miami was perfect. Seventy-one degrees with a balmy breeze. The sun peeked from between buildings as it rose to the east. From somewhere in the distance, a Jimmy Buffett song played.

Nia cleared her throat before asking, “So, where are you from, Gage?”

His jaw tightened as it did every time someone asked him something personal. He had his whole story worked out. It was what he did. But sometimes, he wondered what it would be like to tell someone the truth.

“Wichita,” hefinally answered.

Her eyebrows rose. “And you’re just in town visiting?”

“I am, and I’ve got to say, I like the weather here a lot better than Kansas. How about you?” He stole a glance her way. “You from this area?”

“Originally from Orlando, but at one time in my life I found the nightlife down here more exciting.”

“At one time?” Her statement made him curious.

She shrugged. “I had this idea of what life should look like for me to be happy and successful. I was wrong.”

The sincerity in her voice surprised him. It wasn’t what he had expected of the woman. But there was an authenticity to her words.

They arrived at The Vice, a small hole-in-the-wall place that played Latin music overhead and smelled like coffee and baked goods. They waited until they had ordered their drinks and found a seat near the window before the subject of Rob came up.

“Have you heard from Rob?” Nia stared at him from across the table, her eyes deep pools of questions and concern.

Gage shook his head and glanced at his phone. “I tried him again as I was waiting for you in the lobby, and there’s still no answer.”

That was the truth. It would be better if Gage called Rob, and if the police could later see the missed phone calls.

“Did you go by his apartment?” Nia studied him, almost as if her future depended on his answer.

Was it his imagination or did her voice sound strained at the question?

“I swung by and knocked, but he didn’t answer,” Gage told her.

She rubbed her throat. “I see. Well, I’m sorry to hear that.”

But was she?

He had so many questions.

He couldn’t allow himself to let down his guard.

Because there was a good chance he was staring into the eyes of a killer . . . a very beautiful killer.

chapter

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