Page 28 of Tapped

I follow him into the kitchen where I helped myself last night after Evie went to bed. I skipped dinner and didn’t plan on this gig. I was starving. There’s nothing like rummaging uninvited through a stranger’s kitchen. I learned a lot about the owners, which made me wonder if what I learned says more about Evie or her shithead husband.

My investigation into Evie yesterday was deep and thorough and included her entire family. Hugh Litchfield is in his mid-sixties, and looks like he has no intention of retiring. Years of investing and diversifying BioNova have made him one of the wealthiest men in America.

Evie’s father is fit and looks much younger than the date on his birth certificate as he turns to me where he stands in the kitchen wearing business casual that looks not at all casual because of how much he probably paid for it.

He proves to be all business. “Andrew told me he hired you. I’m here now, and have made arrangements for Evie and Chase.”

I cross my arms. “I don’t work for Andrew. And I’m not leaving until I know what Evie’s plans are for the day.”

His perpetual frown deepens. “Andrew told me he hired security to watch the house last night.”

“He did,” I confirm. “And I sent him home.”

Hugh crosses his arms. “What?”

I shrug. “It’s not my place to say. I’ll let Evie fill you in. But I’m not leaving until I talk to her.”

He drops one arm and points to me with the other. “Who are you—”

“Grandpa!” Evie’s son interrupts as he runs in the room wearing pajamas that look like a big baseball. “What are you doing here?”

Hugh proves he’s not always an asshole and transforms himself into someone completely different when he reaches down to scoop up his grandson. “I came to see you. How’s my boy?”

“It’s early. Mama said I have to go to work with her today because Dad’s gone and Tonya is busy.” Chase wraps his arms around Hugh’s neck before wiggling himself to the floor. He starts for the family room but stops when he almost runs into me. “You’re back.”

I hold out my fist and he returns my bump. “I am.”

His little shoulders slump. “Do we have to go to that place again? That took forever. But I don’t want to go to work with Mama either.”

If I had to guess, Hugh is not in the know about everything that went on yesterday. Interesting. Evie didn’t fill her dad in on her drama.

“What place did you go to, Chase?”

I was right. He has no clue.

“The place with the police officers. They have snacks.”

Hugh mulls over that as he stares at his grandson. “Is that so?”

Chase changes course and turns back for the kitchen and disappears around the corner but keeps talking. “Mama’s office is boring.” He comes back out with an enormous box of cereal and almost drops it as he climbs up a barstool at the island. “I wanna stay home.”

“Lucky for you, I’m here. Your grandma and I want to spend some time with you before you start kindergarten. How about a little vacation to our house?”

Cereal pieces fall to the floor as the boy stuffs his face as he talks around it. “Really?”

“Yep. Grandma is at home waiting on you. I’ll bring you back before I go to work.”

Chase’s entire arm disappears into the box to dig out another handful. “How long do I get to stay?”

Hugh throws me another frown before looking back at his son. “As long as it takes to do all the fun things on your grandma’s list. Go pack a bag. Grandma canceled all her meetings to hang out with you.”

More dry cereal lands on the floor as the little guy talks with his mouth full and jumps down from the barstool. “Okay!”

“Dad. What are you doing here?”

Everyone turns to stare at Evie. She’s not wet and wrapped in a towel this time. She’s wearing a black dress that hits her above the knees and fits every small swell on her body just enough to be on this side of professional. She’s barefoot, her hair is wrapped in a towel, but she is wearing makeup.

Now that I’ve seen her without makeup—and practically naked—I think I prefer her bare.

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