Page 47 of The Playboy Meets His Match
“Sorry, but I have to go. I have an appointment,” Will announced, standing.
“Everybody think about what we can do to set a trap,” Jason suggested. “We’ll meet again—a week from now, same time, all right?”
All heads nodded and Jason stood.
“And Keith,” Will said, grinning, “you consider what charity you want. I think our playboy is losing his title.”
“I might be,” Jason admitted, thinking about Merry and how long it would take him to get to the ranch.
“I hope you’re not so in love that you can’t watch your back,” Rob cautioned, moving beside him as they left the club.
“I’ll be careful. I have guys guarding the ranch. Even though he may have just been after the computer and disks, I’m having an alarm system installed for the grounds around the house.”
“Maybe, but you don’t know. She’s annoyed him no end. And we need to find out for sure if it’s Dorian. If we’re chasing the wrong person, we’re wasting time and putting everyone in more jeopardy.”
Rob paused to face Jason. “We talked about setting a trap for Dorian. There is something that we might do that wouldn’t involve a lot of risk. It might be just one more bit of proof. You could get Merry to confront him here in Royal.”
“Oh, no! I’m not jeopardizing her—”
“Look, this wouldn’t be as dangerous as what the two of you did breaking into Wescott Oil. That could have got you shot.”
“Not in Royal. I don’t want her in danger.” Wind caught locks of Jason’s hair as gazed at his friend.
“She’s in danger just living at your ranch. Do you want to catch this guy or not? She isn’t afraid to go after him.”
“All right,” Jason relented reluctantly. He knew Merry wasn’t afraid, and she would want to do whatever she could to help trap Dorian. “What’s your idea?”
“With Sebastian’s help, because he works with Dorian and knows where he is from eight to five, we could arrange a seemingly casual meeting during the day between Merry and Dorian. They could encounter each other with people around and in daylight. I’ve got a mini-recorder that she can drop into her pocket and pick up every word he says. I don’t need to tell you about those devices.”
“I hate to have her anywhere near the creep. It’ll just be one more goad to a man who may be desperate now.”
“We need some proof. If he would own up to knowing her and her sister, that would be one more arrow pointing to guilt on his part. It wouldn’t tie him to the murder, but it would show that he’s been lying to us.”
Jason mulled the plan over. He wanted to refuse, yet he knew Merry would agree to doing it without hesitating one second.
Rob continued, “If they met in broad daylight on the streets here in town, I don’t think he would do anything. I could be in a car not far away. I wouldn’t let her out of my sight and I wouldn’t suggest it if I thought it would put her in any danger.”
“You don’t need to bother watching her because I will.”
“If you want both of us to watch, even better.”
Jason nodded. “I don’t want to take any risks, and if she doesn’t want to do it, that’s it.”
“Good,” Rob said while satisfaction lit his eyes. “I know what her answer will be. You weren’t there when she stormed into the club. The lady is determined, and she didn’t act as if she would be scared of Old Ned himself.”
“She might not be,” Jason agreed with a sigh, “but that doesn’t mean I want her at risk.”
“I swear I’ll watch her and keep her safe.”
“Both of us will. I’ll ask her about it tonight.”
“I’ll call Sebastian. Tell Merry thanks.”
“You’re so damned sure of yourself.”
“Nope. I’m sure of her. I think she’s a good match for you, my friend. She’ll keep you hopping.”
“She already does. I think Dorian’s the one, but then, I never have liked the guy. If it’s him, he knifed Sebastian in the back after all Sebastian did for him.”
