She left the firm, giving no notice. Walked out on a Friday and didn’t answer her phone for a week. She burned the SIM, deleted the email account, the job history and took her skills and went freelance. She built a new identity from scratch. She took contract work—doing background checks for small law firms, or discreet investigations for private clients. She kept her head down off the radar.
Her reputation grew and she was offered more lucrative contracts until she hit the big one. A million-dollar payment tofind a politician’s daughter in the seedy prostitution underbelly of LA. Marise found her, but when the police became involved, the shit hit the fan. The mob was after her and she had to get out of the city.
After that, she left the west coast and bought a unit in Boston, leaving no paper trail. She became a ghost, someone who came, tracked down what she came for, then disappeared like a thief in the night.
Now, here she was in a New York a loft apartment, with a new name and a wallet full of false identity cards.
Marise tapped the pen against the table for a few seconds, then jotted a note:Sunday. Dress: casual. Terrain: unknown.She stared at the page, and almost without meaning to, she added:Don’t hurt her.
Kathleen might think she was hiring company, but the truth was, she’d invited in the devil.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Kathleen picked up her bag and the lunch cooler and headed down to the lobby. A few minutes later, a cab pulled up and Veronica stepped out, punctual as always.
Kathleen eyed her with appreciation. The woman walking into the lobby was nothing like the sophisticated companion she knew. She wore a pair of faded jeans, a t-shirt, a leather jacket and hiking boots. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she wore a cap with the New York Yankees on the front. Kathleen’s stomach gave a flip; she looked incredible.
Veronica slung her pack over her shoulder and grinned at Kathleen. “Hi.”
Kathleen smiled at her shyly. “You came.”
Veronica lifted a brow. “You booked me.”
“Yes, but I didn’t think you’d... um…accept.”
Veronica smiled slightly. “Why wouldn’t I? So, where are we going?”
Kathleen walked to the elevator and motioned her inside. “My car’s in the parking basement. We’re going upstate to a lake. It’s part of a conservation reserve. About an hour and a half drive.”
“Sounds interesting,” murmured Veronica.
When the lift door opened, Kathleen led the way to the SUV in bay four. “This is me,” she said, flicking the unlock button.
“Wow,” Veronica said in awe. “You own a Bronco Everglades.”
Kathleen looked at her in surprise. “You know cars?”
“You bet,” said Veronica, stroking the bonnet. “You wouldn’t be driving this baby in the city.”
“No. I’ve a smaller car for that. This is the one I take out on my expeditions. I don’t sit in the lab all the time; I do field research as well. My father is a car freak and has a vintage collection. I’ll take you to see them one day, if you like.”
“That sounds great,” replied Veronica, looking pleased. She cleared her throat. “You weren’t upset I was with Darlene?”
Biting back the retort,of course I was hurt, Kathleen plastered on a bland expression, though she couldn’t keep the tinge of bitterness out of her voice. “I’m not naïve, Veronica, I understand how it works. None of us are entitled to anything outside the hours we pay for your services. You were with Darlene that night, so naturally you had to give her your full attention.”
“It’s not quite like that, Kathleen. You might pay for my company, but you’re entitled to my respectanytime.”
Kathleen bit her lip, realizing she had offended her.
Veronica squeezed her arm, then climbed into the passenger seat. “You can tell me all about your father’s car collection on the way. Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise,” Kathleen said with a smile, settling into the driver’s seat.
They talked easily now, about cars, books and art, but when Veronica tried to coax her to describe her experiments, she shook her head. “Today I’m going to forget about work.”
“So,” Veronica said as the trees became thicker on the side of the road, “I’m guessing this isn’t one of those paddleboat-swan-lake situations.”
Kathleen laughed. “Not on your life. We’re going to the Bashakill Wetlands. It’s one of the most underdeveloped nature reserves in NY state and also a great kayaking spot. You do know how to kayak?”
