Hot Secrets (Tall, Dark & Deadly #1)(38)

“What about Sheridan’s family?”

“There’s a brother, that’s it. I plan to check him out. There is also a woman.”

Royce’s brow inched upward. “He killed his wife. What woman are we talking about?”

“Some chick that started writing him while he was in prison.”

“Ah,” Royce said. “Never have understood the jailhouse groupies. What’s your take on her?”

“I don’t think it’s much of a lead. She broke off contact with him some six months ago, and is even pregnant now with some other dude’s kid.”

“I’m not sure that means squat in the world we live in.”

“I’m going to check her out. But the way I see it, if Sheridan is involved, then he would probably have taken out a contract on Lauren. It’s cleaner.”

“Who says this isn’t a contract? Maybe whoever hired this guy wants Lauren played with before she’s killed. Maybe that’s why this attorney Sullivan was there today. He was watching when she got burned, eating up her fear.”

“I like it as a theory,” Luke agreed. “I’m sold on a professional for hire. This person, who I’m calling a man, but could be a woman, hasn’t made mistakes. He’s invisible, even with a camera on. He knows what he’s doing.” His cell phone rang and he answered it, his gaze going to Royce’s. “Yeah. Thanks.” He snapped the phone shut. “The snake wasn’t poisonous.”

“So, this guy’s playing with her.”

“Yeah,” Luke said. “But there’s more. The place was a regular radio shack. He’s been watching her, recording her.”

“Sonofabitch,” Royce cursed. “Don’t tell her that. She’s scared enough. I should have guessed that. I mean, he got in for the snake. He had full access.”

“We finally have a potential motive, a way the senator might fit into this,” Luke said. “Get images of Lauren undressing, or doing any number of things, and then uses them to get something from the senator.”

Royce’s jaw tensed. “Images of me with Lauren. I handed this guy ammunition, if that is even what this is about. He could be a sick bastard who’s obsessed with her, and he’s made getting to her look like child’s play.”

“Which leads me to a manpower issue. Blake’s dealing with the Rhode Island airport contract, so until he returns, I’m limited to what I can do. I need to bring one of our guys in on this. Kyle, Rick, and Daniel are free. Jesse is also free. Tommy and Daniel are both booked. Kyle dealt with the snakes and he’s a tech expert. He’s already involved.”

“Kyle,” he agreed. “I’ve known him for years. We worked together at the agency. He’ll keep his mouth shut.”

“Give me Rick, too. He can chase some of the pieces I’m putting together on the senator.”

“Do it,” Royce said. “We don’t have time to spare.”

The door to the master bedroom, which sat just off the main living room, and directly in front of Royce, squeaked open. Lauren stepped into the room, and damn if his cock didn’t twitch at the sight of her in his t-shirt and oversized sweats. The darn things were rolled up at the knees and hanging on her, and yet, he wasn’t sure he’d ever seen her look sexier.

She walked to the opposite chair and settled her hands on top. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

“No,” Luke said, smiling. “Nothing private in this family.” The doorbell rang and Royce didn’t miss the subtle tension that rolled through his brother, before Luke stood up. “It’s probably Julie. I’ll let her in on my way out.”

Lauren rounded the chair and sat down. “She acts just as odd when his name comes up.”

“You noticed that,” he said.

She nodded. “Oh, yeah.”

“Hello, hello,” Julie called, appearing with a box in hand. “I left a suitcase by the door with clothes and other important girl stuff.” She hurried forward and left the rather large box on the coffee table, then gave Lauren a once over “But then who needs clothes when you can wear Royce’s?” She laughed. “You look like a kid wearing grown up clothes.” She sat down on the couch and glanced at Royce. “You are a big ol’ boy aren’t you? Better to kill snakes, I suppose.” She eyed Lauren. “Maybe you should have him pay a visit to that angry dude Alice said visited you today.”

“What angry ‘dude’?” Royce asked, his gaze colliding with Lauren’s. “And why don’t I know about him?”

“I haven’t had time to tell you.”

“Ah, hmmm,” Julie said. “I was just trying to lighten the mood. I didn’t mean to cause trouble. I”

“You have to make time, Lauren,” Royce growled. “Someone could well be trying to kill you.”

“Don’t, Royce,” Lauren said tightly. “Not now.”

“Now,” he insisted.

She inhaled and let it out. “He’s the brother of the woman I’m prosecuting for the poisoning. He got pretty nasty. He”

“Name,” Royce said.

Her jaw tensed. “Jonathan Wilkins, and you’re acting like a caveman.”