Page 47 of Wired Strong

His voice raised the hairs along the back of her neck. “I like it being our private story.” They kissed until Marcella smelled the distinctive scent of browning tomato sauce.

She shoved him away and smacked him on the shoulder. “Go take a shower. Dinner will be ready by the time you come out. We’ll eat outside on the deck tonight.”

Marcus blew her a kiss as he walked out of the kitchen. Stirring the sauce, Marcella enjoyed the sight of him walking away. God had truly broken the mold when Marcus Kamuela was made, and he was all hers.

Would she have felt the sweetness of this encounter with her husband as deeply if Raveaux hadn’t said what he did?

Probably not, and she was grateful.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Raveaux

Day 8

Raveaux handedBeverly Cho her skinny vanilla latte. “For you, madame.”

He seated himself across from her at the small table in the coffee shop.

“Thanks so much for meeting me. It’s a pleasure to see you.” Cho fluttered her lashes.

“And you as well. You are looking especially fine today.” Chowaslooking good. She’d styled her shoulder-length hair, and she wore a slim-fitting cotton dress instead of the floppy burlap number he had seen her in last time.

She smiled at him. “I could say the same for you, Monsieur.”

Raveaux glanced down at the blue linen long-sleeved shirt he wore tucked into black dress slacks. “Merci. Now, you said you had something to discuss with me.”

Cho sipped, and fiddled with her coffee cup. “I do, but . . . do you like music?”

Raveaux arched a brow. “Who doesn’t like music?”

She laughed. “I have a favorite artist who plays folk music from all over the world, but only on ukulele. I thought you might enjoy it. The concert’s next Tuesday, if you’d care to come with me.”

Raveaux’s brow stayed arched. “Are you asking me on a date?”

“I suppose I am.”

“I feel I should tell you that I’m a widower. I haven’t dated since my wife died. I’m not looking for a relationship,” Raveaux said.

Cho nodded vigorously. The curled parts of her hair flopped up and down like wings. “Oh, of course! This is just a friendly outing to hear a good musician.”

“Then I accept,” Raveaux said. “Now back to the case . . .”

“Yes.” Cho removed the lid and sipped her coffee. “One of the accountants who works on the Kama`aina Schools’ account is behaving oddly. She . . . well, I don’t know how to describe it. She turns in all her reports, and they look fine, but she won’t meet my eye whenever we talk about the account. I think there’s something odd about how she’s acting, and it has something to do with the Schools. I just wanted to alert you to that.”

Raveaux reached across the table, and briefly covered her hand with his. “I appreciate that very much. I will pass this along to my team.” He finished his espresso in a quick gulp and stood up. “I’m so sorry. I must depart. I told you I had a meeting, and it’s actually about the case. I was headed into the office when I got your text.”

Cho smiled. “I take no offense. Thank you for the coffee, and I look forward to the concert on Tuesday.”

Raveaux gave a slight bow. “And I as well, madame.”

He walked out of the coffee shop, conscious of her eyes on him.

Hopefully, this “date” wouldn’t turn into something difficult to disentangle himself from. Raveaux summoned a rideshare and gave the address for Sophie’s downtown Security Solutions building.

* * *

Raveaux,Sophie, and Heri Leede gathered at the round table in Sophie’s office. Sophie seemed well-rested, and Raveaux felt relieved, seeing her clear eyes and ready smile.

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