“Yep, I got the email you sent.”
The email in which Cole had pretty much given the investigator a key to the company. Pass codes that would allow Hank to access employee computers through a back door, passwords for personnel files, staff evaluations, everything only Cole was privy to. He hated giving Shaw such free rein, but with Jamie’s life potentially at stake, he wasn’t taking any chances.
“I’ll be in touch,” Hank said. “Expect an initial report on past employees in twenty-four hours.”
Cole thanked the man for the third time, then hung up the phone and sighed. A part of him still couldn’t accept Jamie’s suggestion that the killer might be after him. He’d always prided himself on his integrity, the honest way he did business. To think that someone might despise him and was plotting to hurt him was a concept he couldn’t reconcile.
“Uh-oh, why do you look so serious?”
Jamie’s quiet voice came from the doorway. His head lifted as she entered the kitchen, wearing nothing save for one of his long-sleeved shirts. The material hung down to her knees, the same cute knees that had straddled him just an hour ago.
“I talked to the investigator,” he said as she walked over and sat in his lap.
The feel of her firm, warm bottom against his groin made him shudder with pleasure. Lord, he would never tire of this woman. Everything about her turned him on beyond belief.
Trying to quell the desire rising in his body, he continued the recap of his conversation. “He checked out one of my competitors and didn’t find anything suspicious. Doesn’t look like the guy is involved in any of this. He’s looking into my employees now.”
Jamie rested her chin on his shoulder. “If he doesn’t come up with anything, we could always look at Valerie Matthews.”
“Valerie? Where did that come from?”
“I don’t know. I just have a bad feeling about her. It seems like she’s always getting in my face, and that’s a red flag for me—people who get too involved in ongoing investigations.”
He nodded. “Yeah, she is pretty vocal about this case. But I’m pretty sure Valerie has an alibi for that night. She was out of town at some office retreat.”
“And now she’s first in line yelling at everyone to send you to jail. You know, law enforcement would be so much easier if the murderers just did their thing and then came in to confess.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Ever the optimist.”
With a giggle, Jamie hopped out of his lap. “A girl can dream.” She headed for the fridge. “Is there anything to eat? Because I’m starv—”
There was a loud buzz, causing Cole to groan in irritation. “Now what?” he muttered as he stumbled to his feet and headed for the intercom. He pressed a button and barked, “Yeah?”
“Donovan, it’s Finn,” a voice crackled. “I need to speak to you.”
Again? Cole was tempted to tell the sheriff to get lost, but then realized this might be about Jamie’s shooting. Had Finn found something already? Quickly opening the gate, Cole left Jamie in the kitchen and went to answer the door, hoping the sheriff was here to deliver the good news that the shooter had been apprehended. When he opened the door, however, he was taken aback by the grave look on Finn’s face. Oh no, this definitely wasn’t a good news visit.
Finn stood on the porch, his shoulders tense, his expression clearly saying I don’t want to be here right now.
Cole glanced past the other man’s broad shoulders and spotted a second vehicle in the driveway, occupied by Deputies Holt and Patton. A police cruiser and Finn’s Jeep. This couldn’t be good.
“Finnegan…what’s going on?” Cole asked warily.
The sheriff briefly closed his eyes, then opened them to reveal a flicker of pleading reluctance. “Please don’t give me trouble here, all right? I’m just doing my job.”
“Finnegan…”
“I need you to come with me.”
Cole’s stomach went rigid. “Pardon me?”
“Christ, I don’t enjoy having to do this, okay?” Finn exhaled a ragged breath. “But I need to bring you into the station for questioning.”
Jamie heard Cole’s outraged voice from the porch and promptly shut the refrigerator door. She hurried to the front entrance, her bare feet slapping against the hardwood. She didn’t know what she was expecting to find, but it wasn’t the sight of Cole and Finn facing off with their faces inches apart as Cole said, “I’m not going anywhere.”
“What the hell is going on?” she demanded.
Finn gave her pained look. “I need Cole to come into the station. And willingly, because I’m not in the mood to use my handcuffs on him.”
“What? Why?”
Finn ignored her and turned back to Cole. “Come on, Donovan, don’t do this.”