Taylor pulled her elbow free. “Excuse me, who was there when Rudolf came out of the stall? Who figured out the connection with Sophie?”
“I’m not saying that your assistance hasn’t been valued. What you did in New York was, well, it was more than I could’ve done, but you don’t understand all that they’ve been through, especially her.”
“Her? Your employer? Mr. Rawlings’s wife?”
Phil took a step back, assessing the meaning of Taylor’s question. “Yes, her. Her last few years have been difficult. She doesn’t need additional stress.”
As Taylor began to speak, Phil’s mind flashed with memories—snapshots in time—beginning when he received the call from Brent Simmons: the first time he’d heard the name Claire Nichols. At the time, it seemed simple enough. Phil had done investigative work for Simmons in the past. This time he was asked if he could locate a lost woman and work temporary surveillance. That was almost four years ago. Four years. Phil hadn’t spent four consecutive years with anyone since he left his parents’ home and joined the military. Four years was a lifetime: more than Nichol’s lifetime.
Not hearing Taylor’s response, Phil went on, “She’s all of those things. I’ve been with this family longer than anyone here, besides Eric. You don’t understand all that’s transpired.”
“Really?” she asked, snapping her neck so that her blue eyes blazed toward Phil. “Do you think that poorly of my investigative skills that I’d walk into a job with a family like the Rawlingses with no information about them? Why the hell did you support my hiring if you’d assume such ignorance?”
Phil briefly closed his eyes. He had no desire to get into this with anyone, especially his new associate. “Did I ever say that I supported your hiring?”
“Mrs. Rawlings said that you did. Perhaps I shouldn’t believe my employer?”
Damn. Claire always did talk too much, to everyone. “You had an impressive resume. I was particularly interested in your independent work since leaving the bureau.”
Yes, Phil had done his research too. He would never allow someone open access to his family without it. Taylor Walters had all the right schooling, a double major in psychology and criminology. She worked local law enforcement for seven years before joining the FBI. Six years at the bureau had her working hostage negotiation. There’s no doubt she had a way with diplomacy. Taylor excelled in her chosen field until she was shot in the line of duty. After rehab she was reassigned to a desk job: cybercrime. It only took a year of sitting behind the scenes until she left the FBI and pursued independent jobs, many not unlike some that Phil himself had done.
Taylor’s eyes widened. “I don’t recall that information being on my resume.”
“Now whose turn is it to be offended? Do you think I’d support, as Claire informed you, a hire that I hadn’t fully investigated? And if you think you learned all there is to know about this family by reading a book, you’re sadly mistaken.”
“I never said what research I did. Yes, the book was part of it; however, a very small part. I’m aware of more than you know. Since I’ve been here, I’ve also made it a point to know all I can about my coworkers.”
Phil shook his head. “I’m not trying to have a pissing contest with you. You’re here. I’m fine with that. Just don’t give either of them information on this particular subject without first running it by me. And I can tell you right now, I’m not going to approve sharing.”
“The FBI is already involved. They’re zeroing in on Ms. Miles. If you think you’re going to go in and remove the subject under their noses, you’re mistaken.”
“Am I now?”
Taylor leaned closer. “You want to keep the Rawlingses safe? Then don’t do something stupid so that you’re in prison and not here.”