Page 43 of Double Take

His gaze never wavered. “I’m aware.”

The fact that he was seeing her as something other than Stephanie’s friend was ... unnerving. Exciting. Terrifying.

Time to take the focus off her. “Your mother worries about you. Think about it. Your job is dangerous. It’s only natural for her to be concerned.” His eyes glinted at her change of subject, but he let her get away with it.

“I know. I could handle concerned. She takes it beyond concerned to...” He grimaced.

“Suffocating.”

“Yeah.”

“It was dangerous when you were in the Army and now you’ve come home to another career that could have deadly consequences.”

“Which she doesn’t know about yet.”

“Oh. Right. You sure about that?”

“Well, I haven’t told her or anyone other than Steph, so...”

Lainie snickered. “I’m not saying her behavior won’t make you want to pull your hair out, but it is understandable.” She smiled to soften any sting that might be in her words and hoped he didn’t notice she was rambling.

He probably noticed, but his eyes narrowed, and he sighed, then dropped his chin to his chest. “I know that too.”

“I’m telling you a lot of things you already know.”

“You are.”

She reached over and squeezed his fingers, then pulled her hand back, missing the contact but needing the distance. He made her heart do crazy things and she couldn’t think when that happened. Clearing her throat, she nodded to the screen. “So, what’s the next step?”

James drew in a deep breath and nodded, turning to the computer. “Next, I’m going to go talk to Nick and the rest of Adam’s family, get a feel for them, see what’s what. Let me give them a call and see if they’re home.”

Lainie checked her text messages while he looked up the number and dialed. Stephanie, Allison, Kenzie, and Jesslyn had been havingan entire conversation about their camping trip while she’d been involved with her crazy morning. Nothing from Kristine, though. She caught up on the thread and responded.

I’m fine with glamping. Y’all just need to tell me where. Pick one of the places and we’ll get a deposit on it. Anyone text Kristine to see if she can make it?

“Hey, Cole.”

She looked up to see James on the phone.

“Can you come pick me up? I’ve got an idea I’d like to follow up on and I’m going to need your help.”

Lainie could hear Cole speaking but couldn’t make out the words. He must have asked where they were going, because James said, “To ask some questions about a dead man who keeps showing up.”

“I don’t suppose it would be a good idea for me to come?” Lainie asked.

James’ brow quirked upward. “I’m going to say probably not.”

She nodded. “Can’t I sit in the car?”

“Lainie...”

“Okay, okay. I had to try.” He clipped his phone to his belt, then paused. Looked at her and pursed his lips. She frowned. “What?”

“Then again, it might not be a bad idea to keep you in my sights.”

“Really?”

“As long as you promise to actually stay in the car and keep your head down.”

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