Page 21 of Call Back

“Thanks,” I said as I took the card and glanced at it. His cell number was handwritten in blue ink on the back. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Mr. James smiled and nodded before he headed back toward the dining area. Brady turned in his seat to watch him.

“I don’t think you should meet with him.”

His stern tone caught me by surprise. “Why not?”

“I don’t trust him.”

“But you said you didn’t get anything out of him when you went to see him about my father.”

“This has nothing to do with your father’s disappearance.”

That gave me pause. “Then what does it have to do with?”

He turned to face me, looking serious. “Maggie, in the short time I’ve known you, I’ve hardly made any requests of you, but I’m asking this—please don’t meet with him.”

“But—”

“No questions. Please. Just know that I don’t trust him.”

I really wanted to meet with my father’s partner. I found it hard to believe my father could have embezzled from clients and found himself in the thick of bad land investments without his eagle-eyed partner noticing a thing. Whatever Bill James wanted from me, I wanted answers from him, and if I played the part of a dippy actress, he might just give them to me. Still, Brady was worried, and I couldn’t ignore that. I wasn’t going to do anything stupid, especially since Owen was watching me so closely. I’d figure out another way. “Okay.”

He pushed out a breath and his entire body relaxed. “Thank you.”

“Why does he make you so anxious?”

“Let’s just say I have a few suspicions about him and leave it at that.”

“Do you think he’s dangerous?”

He watched me. “Please don’t meet with him,” he repeated.

“I said okay.” Did that mean he was dangerous or not? Was he being evasive because this was related to police business?

Brady drained his wine glass, then flagged down the bartender. “I don’t feel like eating here anymore. Would you mind going somewhere else?”

“Sure. Of course.” Brady’s intent had been to steer me away from Bill, but he’d only piqued my curiosity.

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