Page 10 of Nothing But the Night (Basic Instincts 2)

“This can’t wait.”

She didn’t flinch. “I’m afraid it will have to. Now, it’s time you left.”

He would get no further with this one. Chantelle Readymarcher protected her boss like a lioness and her cub. There was one more thing he could try. “If the name Theo Glass doesn’t get a reaction from Mr Archer, here’s another one you can run by him. Nadine Smythe.”

There it was. Almost imperceptible, if he hadn’t been looking for it. A slight twitch in the muscles above her mouth. He had struck a nerve.

Jason thrust his card into Chantelle’s palm. “Tell your boss that Nadine is researching a story about him and Theo Glass. It’s in his best interest to speak to me rather than her.”

“Who are you working for? Someone must have hired you.”

He’d really caught her now. Jason smiled and moved towards the door. “Just have him call me. He’ll be grateful that he did.”

Chapter Five

The Co-star

Two days later, Marc contacted Jason for an update on the case. He was in Blyham for a meeting at the conference centre and, when it wrapped up early, he found himself with time to spare.

“Any news?” he asked, surprised by the flighty sensation in his chest at the sound of Jason’s voice over the phone.

“Actually, I have made some decent inroads. Are you free to chat?”

“I’m in the city right now. I can drop by the office before I leave.” He told Jason where he was.

“I’m in the same area. There’s a coffee shop in the foyer of the concert hall, two buildings down from the conference centre.”

“I know it.” Marc’s excitement increased. Why was he so eager to see him again?

“I can meet you there in about fifteen minutes, if that sounds good. I’ve got things to show you.”

Marc asked Jason what he wanted to drink and headed along the waterfront to the concert hall. It wasa recent addition to the Blyham riverside development, with impressive mirrored windows from the floor to the roof, reflecting the city during the day, while lighting up from within at night. It was almost directly across the water from the Vermont Hotel, where Theo had taken his final steps.

Marc arrived at the coffee shop in the lull between the daytime trade and the evening crowd who would come out for the shows in another hour. The venue boasted two remarkable halls that catered to all musical tastes, from pop to folk, classical, indie, jazz and opera. He ordered a decaf cappuccino for himself and a large, black Americano for Jason. Then he selected two huge chocolate chip cookies on the side—their denseness looked too good to resist—and found a prime table by the window, with unrestricted views of the river. He’d have to remember this place when he was next in town. It was one of the nicest spots in Blyham and far more relaxed than the chain coffee shops that were on every other street.

A teenaged couple sat at a booth in the corner. They smiled and giggled nervously at each other, clearly on some kind of date. A smart woman sipped black coffee and tapped away at a laptop, while an attractive man in his thirties stared intently at his phone screen. There was a quiet, easy-going vibe about the place that Marc appreciated.

Jason arrived a few minutes later.

Jesus, he’s stunning.

He was wearing chinos, an open-necked shirt and a blazer. Marc figured this must be his regular look for work. Smart enough to make a good impression, but not so stuffy that he would alienate the people he needed to talk to.

He wore it well and looked even better than Marc remembered. More handsome, sexier. His eyes were bigger and more expressive. His dark-blond hair was tousled, falling over his brow on the left side. There was a presence about him too, an aura that emanated from within his striking physicality.

“Hi,” he said, sliding into the seat opposite. His cologne was fresh and citrusy. No hint of alcohol this time. Marc wondered whether he had imagined it the other day.

“Hi,” Marc said, returning Jason’s grin with more enthusiasm than he could control.

“Is this for me?” Jason picked up the cup and took an appreciative sip. The coffee was still steaming. “Whoa. I didn’t realise how much I needed that.”

“Long day?”

“Yep. I’ve been on the go since six. I had my lunch at eleven-thirty, which is ridiculously early for me.”

“That’s for you too.” Marc pushed a plate with a cookie on top towards him.

“You’re a life saver.” Jason broke the cookie in two and devoured half of it in two bites, before taking another sip of coffee.

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