Page 9 of Taken by the Lawman

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Deegan stepped into the elevator, pressed the button for the garage level and the closing doors suddenly stopped and came back open. Kiersten stepped in. “Is this really the time to go on vacation?”

He shrugged. “News travels fast. I’m just taking a few weeks.” The doors closed and he pushed the button again.

“Didn’t you think the request would go through my desk?”

“I thought all the paperwork skipped you, but I guess I owe you a thank you for approving the request.” He inhaled and caught her scent, wishing he didn’t respond to her like a thirsty man.

She pressed the ‘stop’ button and the elevator came to a sudden halt. She shifted to stand in front of him, their gazes meeting and holding for three beats. “Is there a problem, Agent Cade?” He smiled.

“Where are you going, and don’t bullshit me because I’ll smell it a mile away.” Her gaze narrowed.

“A nice vacation,” he said.

“This is about the Steele case. Isn’t it?”

“I tracked down her roommate. RayAnn Mont moved back home to a small town here in Wyoming. Either way, who’d know Steele, and her habits, better than her roommate of three years?”

“You’re really dedicated to this case, aren’t you?”

He grinned. “Dedication is my middle name. And punctuality is my first. I’d like to be on the road soon.”

“Is that right? Were you hoping your little gift sent by messenger would persuade me to go too?” She tilted one hip and lifted her chin, her eyes turned a shade darker and she never looked sweeter.

“No. One thing you are, Agent Cade, is unwavering. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” He leaned forward, brushing against her. Her bottom lip trembled and her lashes feathered across the tops of her cheeks.[TT1] Did she think he was going to kiss her? Most importantly, why did she seem to want him too? Swallowing hard, he resisted the urge to oblige her and pressed the button. The elevator shook and moved, yet he didn’t. He was so close to her that he could feel her warmth permeating through his T-shirt. She didn’t even blink an eye, but the fact that her irises widened and that lovely bottom lip slightly quivered told him she was affected. Smiling, he took a step back.

The doors slid open and he left her stunned, but it wasn’t long before he heard her heels clicking on the marble floor following him as they crossed the lobby to the set of glass doors. “I called the detective working the case of the man shot in the alley. They have a—”

“Surveillance shot of the victim carrying a briefcase entering the alley but not coming out. There’s another grainy shot of a man entering and coming out carrying that briefcase. I’m one step ahead of you. So, I wonder what was in it?”

She smirked. “A dead body a few blocks from Steele’s apartment the same day doesn’t indicate they’re related. We have a victim dead that I suspect had stolen the briefcase and the man wanted it back as well as revenge for the crime.”

“That makes sense, but come on, you don’t really believe it’s that simple. You and I were trained that there’s never such a thing as coincidence.” She stared up at him, her chest rising and falling with each breath. “You’re standing right here because instinct is warning you something isn’t right. Come with me, Kiersten. I could use your skills.” And your company.

“I can’t just drop everything and go on some wild goose chase with you. You’re wanting to hunt down a woman who hasn’t done anything wrong except be the roommate to a woman who is said to have killed herself by overdose.”

“You can’t or won’t come? Figure it out because I’m going.” She just continued to stare at him and he shrugged. “See you in two weeks when I’ve found the answers.” He left her standing in the lobby as he headed for his truck parked in the garage. He’d already packed an overnight bag because he always liked to be prepared. Although the town where he was headed was small, even in a town of ten thousand people, someone could hide if they really wanted to. He wasn’t sure what he’d find out, if anything, but he was hopeful the ex-roommate could fill him in on some questions that he had.

*

What the hell was she doing? That was Kiersten’s thoughts as she pecked on the passenger window of Deegan’s truck. He gave her one of his appealing smiles and reached over to open the door for her. “You just can’t help yourself, can you?” he said in a thick tone.

She climbed in and sighed. “Is that you being charming?”

He laughed. “Not working?”

“Don’t be too cocky, Bronx. I’m just curious, that’s all.” She closed the door and dropped her shoulder bag at her feet on the floor. “This better not be a waste of my time.”

He steered the vehicle out of the garage. The sun was shining brightly although it was a bit cool out and she wished she’d grabbed a jacket.

“Cold?”

“Some.” She watched him flip on a switch. Warm air flowed from the vent and, within several minutes, she was no longer chilled. Sitting next to Deegan contributed to warming her blood.

“I won’t make any promises, but I have a feeling the roommate will tell us something useful.”

“Like what? How Annie liked her toast and if she was a messy roommate?”

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