“Of course there were regrets. Delilah offered me a million dollars a year to stay on. I like money.”
“And you wanted to make certain she was safe,” Kendra said softly. “I’ve noticed that you have that instinct.”
“It’s over.” She looked out at the lights. “Time passes. People come and go. But I guess I was brought up to believe that when I did go, it wasn’t a bad idea to make sure no one was worse off than when I came.”
“That’s a good philosophy.”
She chuckled. “Actually, it’s a little too deep for me right now. It must be the wine talking.” She yawned. “How many have I had?”
“Two. No, maybe three.”
“Oops. I never have more than two. Cops love to stop bikers and test. They tend to think we have a reckless mind-set and endanger the general public.” She glanced at Kendra. “Would you mind if I bunk at your place tonight? Maybe on the couch? We have to get out early anyway.”
Kendra blinked. She hadn’t been expecting this from Jessie. “Sure. No problem. You can have the guest room if you like. But Lynch might have left it in a mess. He left for the airport early.”
“He did, didn’t he?” Jessie was picking up cartons and putting them in the trash container. “I promise you that I won’t leave my toothbrush like he did…”
“Do you have one with you?”
“I always travel with an overnight duffel in my bike kit. I’ll just go down to the garage and get it.” She smiled at Kendra. “Thanks, I promise I won’t be any trouble. You won’t know I’m here.” The next moment she was across the roof and opening the door leading downstairs.
Kendra believed her. Jessie was self-sufficient and totally responsible, or she wouldn’t be so concerned about the possibility of being picked up on a violation.
But if she was so aware and responsible, why had she taken that extra glass of wine?
A slip?
But did Jessie make slips? She was beginning to know the woman now, and what she knew was that Jessie was one of the smartest people she’d ever met. She knew exactly what she was doing and how it would affect the people around her.
For heaven’s sake, why was she even questioning Jessie over this one mistake in what Kendra thought her character dictated? Forget it.
Only it was more than one anomaly in her behavior today.
Why had she opted to go to Bill Dillingham’s place today when Kendra had told her that she probably wouldn’t even be able to meet with him? Why hadn’t she just gotten on her bike and taken off on her own business? Why had she stayed all those hours waiting? Then she had gone with her to the hospital and stayed until she had left there, too.
Yes, she had been helpful, but Kendra had still had that feeling of being … What?
And she had made that weird remark about not having to worry about Dillingham’s being a threat.
Jessie was completely independent, and yet she had stayed with Kendra all day, hovering like a friendly gargoyle. Not a flattering comparison, but Kendra was not feeling like being flattering at the moment.
She was feeling pissed off.
Son of a bitch!
She was on her feet and running down the steps to her condo.
She slammed the door and headed for her bedroom.
She slammed that door, too.
She pulled out her phone and dialed quickly.
Answer, damn you.
Lynch answered immediately. “I received Dyle’s photo. Good work.”
“Yes, it was.”
He caught the barely contained tension in her voice. “But something’s wrong?”
“Yes. Plenty is wrong.” The words were spitting out. “What gave you the right to call Jessie Mercado and ask her to babysit me while you were gone? Do you know how humiliating it is to have someone treating me as if I’m helpless?”
Silence. “I think she’s too smart to treat you like that. I’m sure she made it very pleasant and unobtrusive.”
“Oh, she did. She only made a couple mistakes, and that was because all of the subterfuge was going against her basic instincts.” She said furiously, “She was so clever that she’s now in my guest room, complete with toothbrush.”
“Good. But she has to get out when I come back. Unless you let me share your bed.”
“I can’t imagine that’s happening right now.”
“I can. But I can also see that you’re having problems because I had to keep you safe. We’ll discuss that later.”
“Oh, yes, I’m definitely having problems. When did you call Jessie? She was here in practically no time after you left. And did you actually hire her to protect me?”
“I called when I got to the street after I left you. And I didn’t hire her. I offered, but she said that she’d consider it a debt owed, which had more value to her.”
Kendra could see that. Having Adam Lynch owe you a debt was beyond price. “Why, Lynch?”
“You know why. Why was I occupying that guest room myself? You were a target, and I was going across the Atlantic, where I couldn’t protect you. I had to have someone there who was watching your back.”