Trusting Danger (Danger, #2)(8)

“You don’t need to worry about me. I’m doing fine.”

“When was the last time you had a girlfriend?”

Grayson looked away, not wanting to admit it had been a while. Hookups didn’t count, and he certainly wasn’t going to discuss those with his mother. “My assignments keep me busy.”

Her brow creased, she reached out and patted his knee. “I just hate that you’re so alone.”

“I’m not alone.” He rubbed the back of his neck, hoping she wouldn’t continue to press the point. The last thing he wanted was to argue with his mother when she wasn’t feeling well.

Casting about for a change in subject, he spotted a photo album lying on the bed next to her. “Looking through old pictures?”

“You as a boy.” When he picked up the album and flipped through the pages, she reached out and pointed at one. “Remember this?”

Grayson studied the picture. In it, he was standing in front of a Christmas tree and looked to be about seven or so.

“It was the first Christmas after your father died,” she said wistfully. “Our first in this house.”

Grayson stiffened as memories stole his breath. “I don’t remember that Christmas,” he lied, his heart hammering in his chest. He consciously slowed his breathing, willing his heart rate to slow down.

Discussing his father’s death had always been difficult. But now when he was facing his mother’s mortality as well, it was sheer torture.





Chapter Six





In the Jacksonville airport, Claire headed toward baggage claim, doing her best to ignore the tantalizing aromas coming from the fast-food eateries she was passing in the concourse. It was no easy task, given the way her empty stomach was rumbling.

When she reached the lower level, she found a driver holding an iPad with Claire Parker displayed on the screen in large letters. He introduced himself, and once she’d relayed a description of her bag, he asked her to make herself comfortable in the baggage claim seating area until the luggage was offloaded from the plane.

Grateful she didn’t have to worry about her suitcase, Claire settled into a seat, finally able to call Leah to ask how the meeting at the jail went. Her friend’s angry tone when she answered surprised Claire.

“You didn’t tell me your notes were in some kind of shorthand, Claire.” Leah’s normally laid-back tone was shrill. “I couldn’t read them at all, so I was pretty much screwed. Thanks a lot. I would’ve been better off just winging it.”

Oh my God. I completely forgot about my abbreviations.

Claire sucked in a shocked breath and apologized. “Did Professor Moore take it out on you?”

“No, but she had to step in because I looked like a complete dumbass in front of the prosecutor. I gotta tell ya, it wasn’t fun.”

Wincing, Claire whispered more words of apology.

Leah let out a long sigh. “Forget it. Just make sure you have your ass back here by Tuesday, ten a.m. That’s when the next meeting is scheduled for.”

“I’ll be there.”

“I should warn you . . . you’re on Moore’s shit list now.”

Claire closed her eyes briefly. “I’m almost afraid to ask, but how did the meeting turn out?”

“The prosecutor offered the deal like we thought. Chris gets a suspended sentence if he gives up his suppliers.”

Relief spread through Claire. “Thank God.”

“Hold up. Not so fast,” Leah said. “Chris won’t do it.”

“He’s afraid of them?”

“He didn’t come out and say it, but yeah. He is.”

“What did he say?”

“I couldn’t get him to open up much. Neither could Professor Moore.”

“Was the prosecutor still in the room?”

“He’d stepped out by then. We got Chris to agree to think about the deal, at least. It’s where we left things until our meeting on Tuesday. He’s gettin’ a sweetheart deal that could keep him out of prison, which is probably—” Leah stopped short. “Never mind.”

“We’ll make it happen. We have to. And, Leah, I’m going to make everything up to you.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m ready to forget this disaster of a day and go get a drink. A big one.” Leah’s tone brightened. “Too bad you aren’t here. I’d make you pay.”

“Drinks are on me when I get back,” Claire said. “And lunch. I owe you big-time. See you next week.” The baggage carousel finally lurched to life as she said good-bye, thanking her lucky stars that Leah was such a good friend.

Moments later, the driver retrieved Claire’s bag from the carousel and escorted her to the exit where his limo waited. As they walked outside, Claire looked up at the clear sky as the hot, humid air hit her. Back in DC, summer was over and the leaves were turning, but here the sunshine was searing and the vegetation a vivid green. She took in a deep breath of salty air, grateful to be able to experience this semitropical climate, if only for a weekend.

Once she was seated in the limo and they were on their way, Claire called Gabe to let him know she’d landed. He sounded distracted but happy to hear from her, and promised to meet her when she arrived at the hotel.