“Why did you agree to take this on?” Rick asked.
The chair squeaked under Garrett as he leaned back even farther. “Fantastic question.”
Being the boss, Wren had the distinct advantage of deciding when to call a meeting over. He thought about it, but then took a good look at the determined expressions on the faces of the men sitting across from him. No way was he getting out of here clean by playing the I’m-in-charge card.
But he could tailor the response, keep it short. “Emery kept digging. I thought stepping in might keep her from running into trouble.”
Rick, sitting there all gray-haired and distinguished with his usual take-no-shit attitude, did not look impressed. “That’s it, then?”
But that didn’t mean Wren was ready to give up control of the conversation or the room. “Excuse me?”
“Look, I’ve known her a long time. I’ve come to care about her and about what happens to her.” Rick winced as he looked like he was searching for the right words. “I’m concerned about the intentions here and what happens next.”
Wren turned the words over then it hit him. “Wait, are you giving me The Talk?”
“This should be interesting,” Garrett mumbled under his breath.
“Her own father isn’t particularly protective.” The detective stopped there. Waited a few seconds. “I’m just making sure you’re not taking advantage.”
Wren didn’t know if the detective was worried on a personal level or on a work level, but it ticked him off. “By assisting her in gathering more information about Tiffany’s disappearance?”
Rick didn’t back down. He threw Wren one of those man-to-man looks. “You know what I mean.”
“I don’t.”
Garrett cleared his throat. “He thinks you’re being nice just so you can sleep with her.”
“I got that much.” Wren barely spared his friend a glance before looking at the detective again. “But truth is she came looking for me and that was your fault.”
“Don’t make me sorry I gave Wren’s name . . . your name . . . to Gavin.”
“That’s exactly my point. I told you not to give my name to anyone.” It was as if he’d stepped into an alternate universe where the explosion of paperwork in front of him was somehow his fault. That wasn’t even close to reality. He got yanked into this case and was staying as a favor . . . in part.
Some of the tension eased from the detective’s face. “But you’re happy I did.”
Garrett laughed. “He’s got you there.”
The game of two-against-one worked on Wren’s nerves. He didn’t know what he had with Emery, but he sure as hell knew it was private. “Emery is interesting.”
“Oh, Jesus.” Garrett kept right on laughing. “Really? That’s the word you’re using?”
“She’s not like you,” Rick said.
Garrett shook his head. “No one is like him.”
Wren wanted to threaten to fire Garrett for that, but he ignored it instead. “She seems to like me just fine.”
“That’s my concern.”
Wren admired Rick Cryer, but there were limits. “What do you think I’m going to do to her?”
“She didn’t seem to know much about you last night, yet you have men following her.”
This again. Wren thought he’d ended this issue when he explained it to Emery. Now he had to fight on a second front. “For her protection.”
Rick shook his head. “I’m just making sure your interest is business related.”
“Even though we’re not getting paid,” Garrett added.
Wren had a point to make, so he cut through the bullshit and made it. “For the record, my interest in Emery, what I do or not do with her, isn’t your business.”
“She’s been through a lot. I don’t want her to be hurt.”
Rick’s concern got through. Wren didn’t tend to dwell in emotion, but he understood the detective’s attachment to the case. His drive to see it through likely rivaled Emery’s. That kind of dedication Wren could understand. “Then we’re agreed because I don’t want that either.”
“Okay.” Rick didn’t sound convinced of anything.
Wren wasn’t convinced he’d won that round. “You still look concerned.”
The older man shrugged. “Do you blame me?”
He really didn’t. Wren knew he wasn’t an easy man to read and that sometimes his methods might seem unorthodox. “Emery and I understand each other.”
The detective’s gaze narrowed. “What does that mean?”
Good fucking question. He’d been in the process of figuring that out when Tyler arrived last night. “I’m not sure yet.”
Garrett slapped his hand against the table with a thwack. “And with that illogical comment I think we should get back to the business of suspects.”
“I’m not sure I made my point,” Rick said.
Garrett nodded. “Welcome to my world.”
CHAPTER 15