Hour of Need (Scarlet Falls #1)(35)

Alarmed, Ellie stopped him with a raised hand. “Wait. Back up. Someone broke into the house?”

“Yes.” His lips thinned as he pressed them together.

“Were the police here?”

He nodded. “Detective McNamara said it isn’t unusual to have a robbery attempt after a death.”

“That’s horrible, but it doesn’t surprise me. I drove off several possible burglars. But that was at night. To break in in broad daylight seems bold.” And desperate.

“I don’t think it was a burglar. The house was thoroughly searched, and nothing was taken. Not my tablet or Kate’s pearls, among other things.”

“Then why do you think they broke in?” She tried to sound as if she had no idea. “What do they want?”

“I’m not sure.” He leaned back. His fingertips scraped on his jaw. His attention was still locked on her face, and skepticism clouded the clear blue of his eyes, as if he suspected she was lying. “But I wonder about that case file your boss was so anxious to get back. Is there something in that file worth committing robbery and murder and now burglary?”

“I didn’t read Lee’s case notes, so I wouldn’t be able to help you.” That, at least, was the truth.

“All I want is the names of any sensitive cases or clients.” His gaze dropped to her hands.

She was picking at her thumbnail. Ellie interlaced her fingers and clenched them in her lap. “I already told you I can’t give you that information.”

“Look, Ellie. You can trust me. I’m not out to cause any trouble. I assure you I deal with classified information on a daily basis. I have high-level security clearance with the military.”

“In that case, you should understand why I can’t discuss cases with you. You wouldn’t tell me government secrets just because I seemed trustworthy.”

“It’s hardly comparable.” His face hardened. He wasn’t going to give up the file. “OK. If that’s the way you want to play it. I’ll find out another way.”

Just as Ellie would have to find another way to search this house. Though the police and an intruder had already searched it.

She stood. Their knees bumped, but she didn’t fall back, even as his much, much larger body loomed over her.

“I don’t understand why you’re being so difficult,” he said.

So much for playing it cool. She would make a terrible spy.

“My job might not seem like much to you, but I’ve had too many lean years to risk losing a steady paycheck and medical benefits. I have a daughter and grandmother to look after. I’m glad to help you in any way that doesn’t compromise my position.” She clamped her lips together to keep them from trembling, but they both knew she was lying. It didn’t matter. Her daughter and grandmother were too vulnerable. Her family’s lives depended on her doing exactly as instructed.

Grant frowned down at her. The anger in his expression made her regret their conflict on more than a professional level. Maybe it was for the best. But she liked him. Really liked him. He was kind and brave and solid. If it weren’t for the situation driving them apart, she’d be tempted to break her no casual sex rule. Just thinking the word sex with Grant this close brought images to mind. Hot images. Scorching images.

Images that had no part in her life, especially in its current state of crisis.

Warm, she tugged at the neck of her sweatshirt. Nan was right, as usual. Ellie had been celibate too long. Maybe if she found that file and no one got hurt, she and Grant could just . . .

There was no way he’d be interested in her after she acted like such an uptight bitch.

“Are you going to tell your boss I have Lee’s files?” he asked.

No way. If those files were somewhere in the house, she wanted them to stay right here for her to steal.

“If he asks, I’m going to say I didn’t see any of Lee’s files in the house.” She raised her chin. “Which is the truth, though I hate relying on a technicality. I trust that if you should come across some of the firm’s files, you won’t keep them from me too long. Can you live with that?”

“I don’t have much of a choice.” His mouth tightened and guilt threatened to break her resolve. “I will get that information.”

“I don’t doubt it.”

The baby’s cries penetrated the office door.

“I should probably get back to my renovations.” She leaned to the side and gave the door beyond his big body a pointed look. Maybe he’d run to the baby, and she’d have a few seconds to linger in Lee’s office.

He opened the door and stepped back to allow her to exit first. Damn.

“Do you do all the work yourself?” he asked.

“As much as I can. There are some jobs that require more than one person. I have a couple of small contractors I use when I run across something I can’t handle.” Though tonight, she’d like nothing better than to take out her frustrations with a sledgehammer.

“I bet there isn’t much you can’t handle.” The corner of his mouth tilted in a wry almost-smile.

“You’d be surprised.” Ellie’s mind went to the night before, the gun in her back, and the threat to her family.

The baby’s cries drew Grant down the hall. Ellie let him pass. As she walked out, she made notes of all the places the file could be hidden. It was a long list. A frighteningly long list. The old Victorian house had lots of nooks and crannies. Were there five or six bedrooms? How would she ever get full access to the house?