What does Vince need? she asked.
A scowl creased Coles expression, which did nothing to dissuade Jos interest. It never did. Her brother had a habit of being overprotective when it came to her. It had been that way ever since their mother had divorced their father when she was five, and shed ended up shuffled between two households. As the oldest, Cole had taken on more duties and responsibilities than any teenager should have had to endure.
Spill it, Cole, she said, pushing his hesitation.
His jaw unclenched, but his hold on the file folder in his hand tightened. A guy skipped out on his bond, and I owe Vince a favor, he said with un-characteristic nonchalance. I traced the guy back to his Washington State residence, and I was going to ask Noah if he could recover the skip since Im on the verge of cracking the Petrick case. But since Noah isnt around, Ill just call Vince and have him find someone else to do the job.
Adrenaline shot through her veins. Ill do it. Standing, she rounded the desk toward Cole.
No.
She stopped in front of him, bristling, though she and Cole conducted this same argument every time. Her brother preferred when she kept a low profile and stayed out of trouble. For the most part, shed been a commendable employee and sister. But she resented that he wouldnt let her do a job she was fully qualified to perform. Shed never been afraid of the chase and capturenot when shed been a cop and not nowand she actually enjoyed an occasional run. It appeased the restlessness in her, which shed been experiencing too much of lately. The bounty she made also helped to fund her low-income abduction cases, which was her main priority. And the well was quickly running dry to support those gratis projects she took on from time to time.
She folded her arms over her chest, refusing to back down, a stubborn trait shed learned from the very guy standing in front of her. You know, for someone who showed me the tricks of the trade, you certainly have a way of making me sound inept, despite my training.
His gaze narrowed at her attempt to heap guilt onto his conscience. Im not trying to make you feel inept, he countered. Dammit, Joelle, you shouldnt be out gallivanting after criminals. Thats why you quit the police force.
That wasnt why shed resigned, and they both knew it. But it was a moot point she didnt wish to argue. I need the extra money to help supplement my lower-income cases.
Ill help fund those cases. Ive told you that.
No, thank you. She appreciated her brothers support, but as always she refused to accept his offer. While the agency made damn good money from locating missing persons and other investigative services, which in turn fattened her own paycheck, she didnt feel right about draining his finances, or the companys, to support her own personal cause.
Ignoring any further protests, she plucked the folder from his grasp and didnt even flinch when he growled in response. Having been raised by Cole since the age of sixteen, she knew he was more bark and growl than bite.
He dropped into the chair Melodie had recently vacated, and Jo skimmed the contents of the file without his interference. She found all the pertinent information encloseda bail bond agreement, a certified copy of the bail, a booking slip, a picture of the fugitive and a copy of his Washington State drivers license. Though the guy had committed his crimes in San Francisco, he apparently hadnt bothered with a California renewal.
She took in his statistics. Dean Colter, age 32. Six feet tall and one hundred and ninety-five pounds. Judging by the date of birth on the document, hed be celebrating his thirty-third birthday behind bars, since that date was next week Friday.
Her gaze traveled between the booking photo and the one on the license, comparing the two. The man had pitch-black hair, and though the license stated his eyes were green, she couldnt confirm that with either photograph. While the drivers license showed Dean Colter with a short, executive haircut and an easy grin, the booking picture captured a grown-out shaggy hairstyle and a cocky smirk. Obviously, the former photo had been taken before Deans penchant for a life of crime.
Her finger skimmed down the attached report, absorbing more details and what hed been charged with. Grand theft auto. This is hardly a threatening skip. She met her brothers gaze. Come on, Cole, cut me some slack. Its not as though Ill be dealing with a murderer here. Shed certainly come up against much worse.
How do you know? he challenged.
She perched her jean-clad bottom on the edge of her desk. Because it states that hes a first-time offender with no priors. How dangerous can he be?
Cole elevated a dark brow in response. Did you happen to notice that his bail was set at a hundred thousand dollars?
She glanced back to confirm Coles claim, and her jaw nearly dropped in shock. Shed definitely missed that tidbit. Why? He was only charged with GTA. Thats a felony, yes, but a minor crime in general.
He was arrested with half a dozen high-end vehicles that were headed for a chop shop and theft ring that the local police have been trying to bust for the past three months. The guy knows the contacts name, and he was willing to testify against him. The bail was set at such a high amount to keep him honest, but being a first-timer, he was very predictable and hightailed it back to his home address in Washington.
Hes easy money then, she said, very aware that her cut would be a cool ten grand, which would go a long way in filling her professional reservoir.
Cole sighed, the sound rife with resignation. Its a good fifteen-hour drive to Seattle from Oakland.
As if that minor inconvenience would deflate her determination! She figured out the time line in her mind. If I leave within the hour and spend the night at a motel on the way, Ill be there by tomorrow afternoon. She flashed Cole a quick grin that reflected the tide of exhilaration blossoming within her and warded off any further argument from him. Ill be back before the weekend is over.
Shed return with her guy in tow, and an easy ten grand in her pocket.
2
WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING at home? Brett Rivers, the CEO of Colter Traffic Control asked his boss, the disapproval in his tone clearly drifting through the phone line. You should have been long gone by now.
Yeah, I know. Dean tucked the cordless phone more comfortably against his ear as he walked out of his master bath with everything he needed for his spontaneous getaway. Brett was his right-hand man, a good friend, and someone Dean trusted implicitly to hold down the fort in his absence. I keep telling myself the same thing, he said, shoving his shaving kit into his duffle bag on top of the casual clothing hed packed. And I promise Im almost out the door.
After three years of working day in and day out to the point of mental exhaustion and burnout, Dean was anxious to taste a bit of freedom and indulge in a week of pure relaxation and solitudewith a cold beer in one hand and a fishing pole in the other. While basking in the sun and waiting for the trout to bite, he had some serious thinking to do about his future and the direction of his fathers company. To make the important decisions awaiting him, he needed a mind free and clear of any distractions or influences.
Dean gave his bedroom one last quick glance, found nothing he couldnt live without, and addressed Bretts question while zipping up his piece of luggage. I know I told you Id be leaving early this morning, but I had a few things to wrap up at the office and it took longer than I expected.
As soon as the words left his mouth, he groaned, realizing that he sounded just like his father, whod passed away three years ago from a stroke. How many times had Dean been on the receiving end of that same excuse while growing up? And how many times had he resented that flippant explanation and sworn hed never be like his father, whod been obsessed with work to the point of excluding everything else in his life?
Too many times to count, yet here Dean was, careening down that same path to emotional and physical destruction. Sure, he had some work-related success to show for his efforts. He also had a broken engagement.
On a personal level his life was sorely lacking, and that knowledge was beginning to bother him. Especially since hed lived such a carefree, easygoing life before taking on the family business. Hard to believe how much of a rebel hed been back then. Now, when he came home in the evening after a twelve-hour day, or a week-long business trip, he was too aware that there was nothing or no one waiting for him. Hell, he didnt even have the time to care for a pet, let alone give attention and affection to a woman. And the truth of the matter was, what woman would endure his rigorous schedule for the long run?
Certainly not Lora, the woman hed been engaged to before taking over the reins of Colter Traffic Control for his fatherbefore the demands of his job had taken over his life. Since then, hed discovered that developing something deeper than an amicable acquaintance was difficult. He didnt have the time to get to know a woman well enough to establish something more than a brief fling. Nurturing a meaningful relationship took time and energy, and after handling each days busy, exhausting workload he depleted both.
And now, a life-altering opportunity loomed in front of him, beckoning him, tempting him to seriously consider the offer that could change the course of his future and give him his old life back. Yet years of obligations and responsibilities told him to stay firmly grounded. The decision had him torn in two.
Grabbing his duffle bag, Dean headed downstairs to the kitchen, shoving those thoughts out of his mind. Hed have plenty of free, quiet time at the lakeside cabin hed rented to mull over those issues and make decisions.
So, whats with the phone call? Brett prompted. Its Saturday, my day off, and Ive got a gorgeous redhead in a short, tight dress awaiting my attention.
Dean grinned. At least his friend had his priorities straight. I wanted to check in with you one last time before I hit the road, and wanted to let you know I put a few contracts on your desk for you to handle while Im gone.
Consider it done.
Dean dropped his canvas bag on the kitchen table, then loaded a small cooler with a few sodas and snacks for the drive. Also, Clairmont Construction increased their order of arrowboards, traffic beacons and portable light towers for that repair work theyve got going on the freeway. The unexpected rain has put them behind, and theyre working double shifts to bring the project in on time.
Dean, Ive got it handled, Brett drawled good-naturedly. Get the hell out of Dodge, already. By the way, are you taking any company with you?
Nope. He snapped the lid to the cooler shut and set the insulated container next to his bag. Itll be just me and Mother Nature.
Man, you have no sense of fun at all, do you? Brett said, sounding disappointed at Deans lack of creativity in the opposite sex department. Give me the address of the cabin and Ill send someone to keep you occupied during the day, warm at night, and help celebrate your birthday. Trust me, youll come back to Seattle a new man.
Hed been so caught up in work and his last business trip to San Francisco that hed forgotten all about his birthday. Not that he normally did much more than join his friends for a drink, or have dinner with his mother. And the sad thing was, three years ago he would have jumped at the opportunity to celebrate his birthday exactly as Brett was suggesting, but now his mind was consumed with business matters.
He didnt doubt the sincerity of Bretts generous offer and was quick to set his friend straight. Thanks, but Id just as soon find my own woman.
After a few more minutes of ribbing from his friend to get a real life, Dean hung up the phone, shaking his head. He spent the next half hour loading his car with the cooler, camping gear, and fishing supplies hed recently purchased through the Internet. After one final walk through the house to make sure everything was secured, he grabbed his duffle and keys from the table and headed out to the garage where his cherry-red, vintage 65 Mustang convertible awaited him.
Along with a woman holding a shotgun.
Startled to find he had company, he came to an abrupt halt. On the heels of realizing he wasnt alone came a twinge of apprehension as he warily eyed that lethal-looking weapon she cradled in one arm. Thankfully, it was pointed at the ground and not at him. She stood just where the rolling garage door opened, feet planted apart in a military type stance, and an air of boldness and presumptuousness radiating off her.
Despite the gun, she didnt look like a rough and tumble G.I. Jane. She wore her rich brown hair in a sleek ponytail, which served to emphasize a pretty face that seemed only to need the most basic of cosmetics to enhance her beguiling features. She was average in height, slender in stature, and undeniably feminine, but there was no mistaking she was physically fit.
He shifted on his feet and returned his gaze to her face. Her lashes blinked lazily over eyes a velvet shade of blue, and a slow, confident smile lifted one corner of her mouth.
Despite the circumstances, a warm frisson of awareness trickled through him. Damn if he didnt find all that brazen confidence sexy. And exciting. The gleam in her eye was predatory with a definite challenge, and his body responded in an instinctive way that reminded him just how long it had been since hed had a woman in his bed. More months than he cared to recall.
Cautiously, he stepped closer to the passenger side of the car and tossed his bag in the back seat. Can I help you?
She moved forward slowly, her stroll deceptively casual, that intimidating shotgun gripped loosely in her hand. Her hips, encased in button-fly jeans, swayed gently with each step. The blouse overlaying a white cotton tank top fluttered open, and he experienced a jolt of surprise to catch a glimpse of silver handcuffs clipped to the waistband of her jeans.
She stopped near the trunk of the Mustang, keeping distance between them, and tipped her head inquiringly. Are you Dean Colter? she asked, her voice low, throaty and assuming.
She knew his name. The knowledge registered, momentarily diverting his thoughts from those handcuffs and what she intended to do with them. Yeah, Im Dean Colter, he verified, suddenly feeling at a disadvantage. And you are?
Jo Sommers, she supplied easily. Your personal escort.
He frowned at her. His personal escort? Then his confusion ebbed as his earlier conversation with Brett tumbled through his mind. Obviously, his friend had meant what hed said about sending him a woman for his birthday, but how had Brett arranged for her arrival so quickly?