LITMIR.BIZ

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Why would someone break into the apartment for a measly laptop and nothing else? He never took home files from Earth Generators. Victoria remained silent and rhythmically stroked Baloo’s back.

      He took it as his cue to speak up. “I think they took the laptop because they thought I might have the evidence on it.”

      She nodded. “I figured as much.”

      “That’s why I’m coming to the FBI appointment with you.”

      Her whole body straightened as if a heavy burden had just been lifted off her shoulders. “Really? You would do that for me?” She looked at Baloo. “I haven’t slept since probably one in the morning. I’m dragging and can’t think straight. Do you think we can swing by and get some coffee on the way to the Federal Building?”

      Jeff laughed. “I think we could both use it. After this morning, we’re going to have to be on the lookout the entire way there.”

      * * *

      Victoria desperately wanted to close her eyes. “You sure Drake will be fine?” She checked the side mirror several times with each block. “It was nice of him to let us borrow his truck...especially given the circumstances.”

      “Drake may come across as goofy, but believe it or not, the guy’s a genius. No doubt he’s worked up a plan by now. Besides, Drake makes friends wherever he goes. You heard him—he had that officer in the palm of his hand. When we left, they were talking about starting a beef jerky business together. Using my recipes.” Jeff laughed. “Hopefully, the officer will see reason after dropping Drake off. Besides, Drake has another car at his place.”

      “You’re a chef, too?” she interjected. An image of cooking dinner shoulder to shoulder in his kitchen assaulted her imagination. If ever there were a job description for the perfect man for her, on paper, Jeff would qualify. And yet, she knew all too well that made him more of a risk.

      “I dabble. Mostly a few signature dishes to feed myself and not much more.”

      She put a hand on her forehead. Over and over in her mind’s eye she could see her car burst into flames. It never had, of course, thanks to the SWAT team and Jeff’s fast thinking, but it could’ve happened so easily. Victoria pointed to the closest strip mall. “They have a drive-through. I just need a moment to process all of this before the meeting.”

      Jeff looked in the rearview mirror. “Did you see any glimpse of that Rover?”

      She dug her fingers into the fabric upholstery on either side of her legs. “No. But that doesn’t mean much anymore, does it? If someone is willing to set your house on fire or bomb your car to kill you, surely they have the means to find a different vehicle.”

      Jeff pulled the truck directly into the drive-through lane of her favorite coffee shop, The Groovy Bean. “Baloo seems comfy in the backseat.”

      Victoria took a look for herself. Sure enough, Baloo was practically snoring in the backseat. He took up the entire length of the bench. “I feel the same way, buddy,” she mumbled.

      They were second in line to be waited on, but Jeff’s constant sweeping of the area set her nerves on edge. He scratched his chin where a five-o’clock shadow had begun to form. She’d never seen him with facial hair before. She supposed he usually shaved in the morning—another reminder that she was interfering with his life. Although, she wondered what he would look like with a beard. Probably just as attractive, if not more.

      He raised an eyebrow, and for a brief moment Victoria was worried she’d said her thoughts aloud.

      “If they really wanted to kill us, why not shoot us?”

      Victoria cringed. She didn’t want to acknowledge guns were a real possibility. “Maybe they wanted it to look like an accident?”

      “No, I don’t think so. You can trace bomb materials.”

      She stared at Jeff, letting her mind run. “What if the bomb was to get Charlie out of the building, so they could lure us somewhere else?”

      “To kill us a different way?” Jeff scowled. “That’s what makes me nervous. I don’t think they care so much about making it look like an accident. Fires? Bombs?” He shook his head. “No, I don’t think that’s why guns haven’t been a part of this. I doubt they would try anything again at my place now, though. There’s already evidence of a break-in.”

      “I’m relieved we’re not dealing with snipers, or we might not be having this conversation.” Victoria peeked at the time on her smartphone. “You need time to fix your door today. And maybe you should install an alarm system.” Victoria reached for her wallet. “Fat lot of good that did me, though.”

      “You had an alarm system at your house?”

      She nodded. “Yep. My brother set that one up, too. Same sort of thing as the car alarm, but I couldn’t afford the big bucks for security cameras, and clearly whoever started the fire didn’t need access inside to light a match.”

      He waved away her money. “This is my treat.” He pulled up to the sign with coffee choices. “On our way, let’s make sure we’re on the same page before you start talking to that agent. We need to give them every reason to take us seriously.”

      “Especially without a lick of evidence.”

      “Exactly why it’s time to bring out the big guns. I’m thinking a triple shot espresso. You?”

      Victoria laughed. The sensation felt so foreign. Jeff grinned, and she couldn’t help but notice his eyes were deep brown—like dark chocolate—and her weakness for cocoa ran deep. “Chocolate,” she murmured.

      He cocked his head. “Mocha, then?”

      Her cheeks heated. “I’m not sure,” she stammered. “I’ll have what you’re having.”

      Jeff handed her the largest salted caramel latte that money could buy and a side order of coffee cake. She allowed herself to enjoy Jeff’s company for the briefest of moments. The man was the epitome of handsome. His sun-kissed skin, the way the navy in his shirt made his eyes look darker, his thick wavy hair...

      Jeff set his latte down a little too hard on the console between them, the small splash of liquid snapping her out of her daydream. His cheeks flushed. “Sorry. I got lost in my thoughts.”

      She took a sip of coffee to hide her smile. Had he just caught himself thinking of her, too? Victoria’s mind flashed to her ex-boyfriend, Blake, a guy who was seemingly perfect on the outside—handsome, kind, funny and successful. Yet, if Victoria had ever acted as if he wasn’t the perfect man at all times, he’d flirt with the very next woman that crossed his path. Jeff wouldn’t do something like that—she was positive his integrity wouldn’t permit it—but she was also confident from what the ladies at work had told her that Jeff had major commitment issues. It was the reminder she needed to keep her thoughts in check. Besides, April made it clear she had her eyes set on him, so she needed to put Jeff out of her mind once and for all.

      He set the truck in Drive. “I keep going over what you’ve told me, Victoria, and I have to say, if I put myself in Wagner’s shoes, I’d be upset you brought a personal flash drive into work.” He held up a hand. “Don’t get me wrong, Wagner didn’t handle it well. But while he reacted inappropriately, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s the mastermind behind all of this.”

      It was as if Jeff had just punched her in the gut. Whatever temptation she’d ever had to think of him in a romantic light disappeared completely. “It was a company-issued flash drive, thank you very much.” She pointed firmly at the center of the console, as if the drive were physically there in front of them. “I have every right to transport files for work-related use. In fact, feel free to go ahead and quiz me, Mr. Tucker. You’ll find that I know the employee handbook backward and forward. I did nothing that crosses ethical boundaries or even violates company policy.”

      Jeff’s features softened. “I didn’t mean to put you on the

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