Page 46 of Once a Killer

“That’s my working theory. I haven’t found the connection yet, but I don’t want to leave Jameson unprotected while I visit with the driver of that SUV.”

Bree heard pages turning over the phone line. A minute later, Mel said, “Diego’s free for the next five days. I’ll send him to Chicago immediately. I have Jameson’s address.”

“Great, thanks. If he can get here tomorrow, I’ll just need him for one day. The guy’s supposed to be released from the hospital tomorrow. I’ll pay him a visit the next day. Barring any new developments, Diego can go back to Montana after I get back to the lab.”

“You got it, Bree. I’ll add it to Jameson’s tab.”

“Sounds good,” Bree said. “I’ll email you the info I found on the guy.”

Reaching into her bag, she pulled out her computer and opened it up. Might as well get some work done while she waited to eat.

Forty-five minutes later, the pizza arrived. Jameson instructed the delivery person to leave the pizzas at his door, and several minutes later, he opened the door and collected the two boxes. Brought them into the kitchen as Bree was stashing her computer in its bag and setting it near the door.

He set the boxes on the counter, and Bree grabbed two plates. Handed him one as he opened the boxes. She put several pieces of pizza on her plate and watched as Jameson loaded his plate with pepperoni slices.

As they began to eat, Jameson asked, “Did I hear you on the phone a while ago?”

“You did,” she said. “I called Mel.”

He dropped his pizza on the plate and stared at her. “You didn’t ask her to send another operative, did you?”

“As a matter of fact, I did,” she said, keeping a straight face. Jameson liked to tease. She wanted to see if he could take it as well as he dished it out.

His hands clenched, and he dropped them into his lap. Leaned across the table. “You screwed up, Bree. I don’t want anyone but you as my bodyguard. I trust you. We get along well. I can keep my hands to myself, so call and cancel your request.”

She shook her head slowly. “Can’t do that, Jameson. It’s already in the works.”

He frowned. “What am I supposed to tell the people in my lab?”

She leaned toward him, and his spicy, woodsy scent filled her senses. Washed against her resolve. “Tell them that Diego is my boss. He wants to find out how I’m doing. He needs to discuss it with you.”

“That’s pretty lame,” Jameson shot back. “He wouldn’t have to be with me for an undetermined amount of time to find that out.”

Fighting the grin that wanted to spread across her face, she said, “It’s not undetermined. It’s for one day, Jameson. I want to talk to the guy who tried to hit your car, and I’m not going to leave you alone while I do it.” She saw him open his mouth and held up her hand. “And no, you’re not coming with me.”

He settled back into his chair and studied her for a long moment, the blue of his eyes bright. Assessing. “Well-played,” he finally said. “I was certain you were bowing out of my protection detail.”

Bree finally let the smile break through. “Payback. You’re not the only one who likes to play games,” she said.

He took another bite of his pizza without taking his eyes off her. “Good to know,” he said, his voice low. Raspy. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Bree swallowed as she held his gaze. She’d just thrown down the gauntlet to Jameson. That probably wasn’t smart. She needed to be more careful. But she’d enjoyed needling him. Teasing him.

Probably enjoyed it too much.

She put her head down and focused on her dinner.

* * *

Diego Lopez was sitting on the back porch, waiting for them, when Jameson followed Bree out of the garage the next afternoon. At least he assumed it was Diego. And judging by the way Bree jumped into his arms and enthusiastically hugged him, she knew Diego pretty well.

Teeth clenched, Jameson watched the tall, muscular guy with dark hair and dark eyes pick uphisbodyguard and swing her in a circle. “Told you we’d work together again soon,” he crowed.

“It’s just a day, Diego,” she said, patting his face like they were old buddies once the guy put her down.

“Better than nothing, Bree. Right?” he asked.

“Yeah. Better than nothing,” she said with a big smile.

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