It would actually put a new perspective on things. She’d start wondering what sorts of resources he managed when he was overseeing the projects he managed for Phoenix Biotech.
But Kyle shook his head. “All of the projects I oversaw had to do with chemical formulation and manufacturing process development, production scale-up and quality oversight before the chemicals we sell are shipped to various biotech companies worldwide. I was responsible for project management and financial accountability on those projects. The chemical engineers and raw material vendors in my networks were in support of those areas of concentration. Not a one of them would employ Tall, Slow or Grumpy.”
He smiled as he used her labels for the thugs. And she let herself smile in return. Actually, a part of her was relieved. It helped her believe he truly hadn’t been knowingly part of the uglier side of whatever Phoenix Biotech was up to.
“I hate the comparison, but they’re likely to have more in common with me professionally than you in terms of network connections.” And didn’t that just burn to admit.
Kyle raised an eyebrow. “I imagine the scope of what they can do is extremely limited as compared to your range of skills.”
“You’d be right.” She continued to bring up search windows, fingers flying over the ultralight wireless keyboard. “But that doesn’t make dealing with them more enjoyable in any way.”
“You’re not pleased at all in working around large, heavily muscled men of action?” His tone had gone back to teasing.
She fired off one more query and slowly raised her gaze to meet his. “I respect people who are good at what they do. Not a one of those men was above average in strength, dexterity or intelligence. They weren’t exactly charismatic either.”
Kyle held her gaze for a long moment. “Someday, I hope to have the opportunity to demonstrate for you how very good I am at the various things I do.”
Chapter Nine
Kyle studied Isabelle a few moments longer. She was studiously ignoring him at this point but there was a telltale hint of dusky rose showing through her bronze complexion. His commentary wasn’t entirely unwelcome.
Grinning, he decided to give her some space. Or as much as was possible in a shared hotel room. Even a junior suite layout with a sitting area. His longer stride made pacing the room less than a valid option for keeping himself busy.
Instead his gaze landed on the bags she’d brought up from the front desk. She’d specifically said they wouldn’t be ordering room service either. If she’d gone and gotten takeout, it had to be something nearby and ready in record time.
Resigned to fast food, he strode over to the bags to investigate what was for dinner. He’d only had a few bites of the excellent sandwich he’d put together and he suffered a pang of regret for having had to leave those supplies behind.
What he found instead was a series of small containers, carefully labeled, and he froze. “Where did you go for food?”
Isabelle didn’t even look up from her laptop. “Safeguard has connections to an excellent catering company in downtown Seattle. I had them deliver directly to me a couple of blocks away. That way, we don’t need to worry about room service or who made the food we’re about to eat. Standard practice for me and other Safeguard operatives on longer engagements. The shorter ones, we just don’t eat or drink anything we didn’t bring with us on the job. There should be a note in there telling us what everything is.”
Kyle wasn’t sure whether to be irritated or complimented. The contents of these bags were enough for more than one meal. “You told them my ethnic background?”
Isabelle shrugged. “I didn’t. But the owner of the catering company experiments with a lot of ethnic cuisine. She knows I’ll eat anything she sends me. No questions asked.”
Interesting. “I’m concerned about this woman having access to my personal information.”
“Not likely.” Isabelle waved a hand. “It’s not our procedure to share those. What probably happened was when she received the order from me via secure email, she contacted Gabriel Diaz to see what happened to the previous order for food that was supposed to last us several days and asked a couple pointed questions to see what else she could send. Was there anything we didn’t like? Do we have access to a microwave? Questions like that.”