Page 46 of Allie's Shelter

“No. It’s right. Rick swears this hasn’t been tampered with and I believe him.”

“So Bradley is definitely alive.”

“Looks that way to me. And he likely wants you to be alive enough to give him access to his money tucked away offshore.”

“So who’s in the morgue?”

“Good question.” He leaned back and shot her a quizzical look. “Any ideas?”

She looked away, knowing her defenses were weak against the temptation he presented. This was a case, her future on the line. She needed to focus on what mattered. “My guess would be a homeless man matching his build.” The thought made her sick to her stomach. “Probably a patient from the clinic.”

Allie didn’t want to think about it, but Ross rolled his hand, urging her to continue, as he studied the footage from the bank again.

“If he used the company influence with the clinic to make contact with the gang, it isn’t a big stretch that he’d manipulate someone else to get what he wanted. Before this, I wouldn’t have pegged him for a killer, but he seems desperate to me.”

“Yeah. I’ve thought the same thing.”

“You have?” She frowned down at him, wondering how much research he’d done into her life recently.

The chair creaked again. “Desperate men do desperate things that usually only increase the collateral damage. Did Roberts happen to like hunting or Clark bars?”

“I have no idea. I never paid much attention.”

“Your boss is playing a dangerous game.”

“Former boss.” The distinction seemed essential right now. “And seeing how I’ve been followed and attacked on several occasions, I am well aware of how dangerous he is. Have you heard anything on Nicole?”

“Rick gave me very few details, but assured me she’s out of harm’s way.” Ross sighed. “My primary concern, aside from you and your safety, is who is actually in this with Roberts and who has simply been fooled by his devious actions.”

Relief for her friend was short lived as Allie pondered the same thing. Who else had Roberts used and manipulated to facilitate his greed? Covering up a faulty drug was bad enough. Learning he’d taken another life to get more money chilled her to the bone. “How do we find out? How can I help?”

Ross drummed his fingertips on the arms of his chair. “Between Rick and Eva, more details will come in. I’ll contact the sheriff and the FBI.” The look he gave her was a full-blown warning. “It could get sticky for you.”

He was referring to the emails and cost analysis on the flash drive. Well, she was a thief, if not a very good one. From the moment she’d secured the data, she’d known there would be consequences eventually. She managed a weak nod. “I’ll do whatever it takes to stop him.” A shiver skated down her spine as she headed out of the office.

Ross joined her in the kitchen a few minutes later.

“That was fast.” And she was looking for an excuse to get away from him. She added space to the discipline and common sense that would get her through until they parted ways again.

He smiled and wiggled his fingers. “I can be efficient.”

“You okay?” The gentleness in his voice did nothing to soothe the terror skipping along her nerves. She was afraid for herself, for her family, and especially for Ross.

Bradley’s actions gave greed a whole new definition. Her hands were shaking so badly she couldn’t refill her coffee mug. More caffeine was probably a bad idea anyway. “We have to flush him out, Ross. We have to catch him before he gets to the offshore account.”

“Agreed.”

She struggled to breathe normally as she turned. “He found us out here,” she whispered.

“I know. I’ve taken a few precautions. He won’t get that close again.”

The resolve in his dark eyes was her undoing. He embodied protection. Security. Determination. When he opened his arms, she rushed forward into his embrace.

And sent space, discipline, and common-sense packing.

* * *

Ross held her gently, wishing for the power to erase the stark fear in her eyes. Instead, he saw the truth with an uncomfortable clarity. The immediate future was pocked with danger and snags that could cost him everything.

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