Terri Reed - Joint Investigation

Warily, Patrick slid his big hand into hers. His calloused palm scraped against her skin. She could see the resemblance between father and son. Both were tall and formidable with the same dark hair and hazel eyes. Drew’s face had more angles and planes, whereas the elder Kelley’s face was softer and lined with age.

“Likewise, Sami.” Patrick shook her hand briefly. “It’s not often I enter my kitchen to find a beautiful woman holding a gun. Special agent, eh?”

Heat rushed to her cheeks at the compliment and for the fact she’d almost drawn on him. “I’m sorry about that. It’s been a stressful night.”

“Eggs, Dad?” Drew went back to scrambling eggs in a bowl.

“Don’t mind if I do, eh?” Patrick bent down to pick up the loaf of bread. “I’ll have some toast, as well.”

Sami cringed at the result of her embarrassing reaction. “Here, sir, let me.”

He handed over the bread and then turned to retrieve plates from the cupboard. “So, Sami, what brings the FBI to our door?”

“A case.” She pushed down the toaster button and sneaked a glance at Drew. How much would he tell his father?

“How long have you known my son?”

Drew poured the scrambled eggs into a sizzling pan. “We actually met tonight.”

Patrick’s eyebrows rose. “This I can’t wait to hear.”

* * *

An hour later Drew walked Sami to the guest room at the top of the stairs. He pushed open the door, glad to see the room was made up. They didn’t have many visitors, so the room wasn’t used often.

“You should find everything you need. Extra blankets and pillows are at the top of the closet.” He pointed to the door across the hall. “Restroom’s there. Towels and washcloths are in the cupboard under the sink.”

Sami gazed up at him. Her blue eyes reflected the hall light, making them glow. “Thank you for everything.”

“You’re welcome.”

She pushed her honey-blond hair over her shoulder. “I like your dad. He’s a character.”

A strand of her hair stuck to her black sweater. Her hair looked so silky and soft he wanted to touch it. Instead he jammed his hands into his pockets. “Dad was in rare form tonight. He’s not normally so chatty.”

“I don’t mind chatty,” she said, her voice soft and breathless.

He met her gaze, noticing the lighter ring of blue around the darker pupils. She had pretty eyes. It had been a long time since he’d felt the pull of attraction the way he did with Sami. His pulse quickened, setting his nerves on edge.

He mentally shut down his reaction. He wasn’t looking for a personal relationship with her. Or anyone, for that matter. The last time he’d fallen for a woman, he’d ended up nursing another wound to his battered heart. Not quite as devastating as his mother’s abandonment but close enough to make him even more wary.

He took a step back. “Is Sami short for Samantha?”

She gave an imperceptible nod. “My dad calls me Sami.”

He liked the nickname, more approachable and feisty, like the woman. “It suits you.”

One corner of her mouth lifted, drawing his attention. She had nicely shaped lips. Lips made for kissing. He tugged at the collar of his shirt, suddenly feeling as if they were standing under a heat lamp rather than the soft glow of the hallway light.

“Where’s your mom?”

Her question doused the mood like a bucket of ice in his face. What was he thinking? Kissable lips? Silky hair? Dude, get a grip.

He needed to stay focused on the objective. Keep Sami safe and find a killer. Nothing more. Nothing less. Attraction had no place in this high-stakes situation.

“That’s a discussion for another time, another day.” Or never. “Good night, Sami.”

Her head tilted to the side with curiosity and...was that disappointment? The awkward silence stretched. The need to open up tugged at him. Not going to happen. Keep this professional , he chided himself.

He cleared his throat. “Okay. Good night, then.”

The trill of his cell phone echoed through the quiet house. He pulled the device from his pocket. “Inspector Kelley.” As he listened to Blake’s news, a knot formed in his stomach. “Okay. Tomorrow we’ll follow up.” He clicked off.

“Well?”

He met Sami’s expectant gaze. “The victim was an American woman from Kansas. Melinda Watson. She was in town for a job interview.”

Anger and empathy flashed in her blue eyes. “And the credit card? Did they find out anything about the cardholder?”

The knot tightened. “Mr. Clark’s a Canadian. He owns an aviation-parts business and is married with two adult kids. His wife told officers that her husband was at a convention in Las Vegas. He had texted her to say he was extending his stay. That was five days ago. She’s heard nothing from him since but hadn’t panicked, because they were having marital problems and she was thankful for the time away from each other.”

“I’m going to Las Vegas. I could catch a flight out tonight.”

Drew held up a hand. “Slow down. The card was last used in Phoenix, Arizona, two days ago. Mr. Clark registered at a spa resort.”

She gave a sharp nod. “Then I’ll go to Arizona. Cloud Jet Airlines has reasonably priced flights.”

He marveled at her dedication. She traveled on her own dime. He shook his head. “Which may be what the killer wants you to do.”

She shrugged. “I have to catch this guy.”

“Why you?”

Pain flashed in her eyes. “He killed my best friend. I won’t stop until he’s brought to justice.”

Compassion flooded his veins. If anyone had hurt someone he cared about, he’d want to do the same thing. But he’d be cautious enough to know taking on a killer by himself wasn’t a good idea. He couldn’t let her do this alone. The killer had brought his carnage to Drew’s door—Drew planned to repay the favor and help Sami capture the man. He’d have to okay it through his boss, but if that didn’t fly, then he’d take a lesson from Sami and opt to take some vacation time. “I’m going with you.”

Her eyes widened. “I work alone.”

“Not anymore.”

She tucked in her chin and narrowed her gaze. “As much as I appreciate that you saved my bacon twice tonight, I don’t want a partner.”

“You don’t have a choice. This now involves both of our countries.” He could see the protest forming in her eyes. Before she had a chance to speak, he said, “Look, finding and capturing Birdman will go quicker and more smoothly if we combine our resources. There’s no reason for you to do this alone anymore.”

She pressed her lips together and inhaled, then slowly released her breath. “Fine. Just don’t get in my way.”

He grinned. He couldn’t deny he looked forward to catching a killer. But he also looked forward to getting to know more about Special Agent Bennett. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

* * *

The next morning, after a hurried breakfast of toast and coffee, Drew and Sami piled into Dad’s car with Dad insisting on driving them to the airport.

“Thanks, Dad. I’ll let you know when I’m coming back.” Drew shut the door to his dad’s luxury sedan and watched as his father pulled away from the curb outside the terminal at the Vancouver International Airport.

Drew had had to hide his surprise at how taken Dad was with Sami. He must be mellowing in his old age. Normally his father was suspicious of women, especially ones Drew showed interest in. Something that didn’t occur often these days, because he was still smarting from Gretchen’s betrayal.

However, Drew was his father’s son, after all, and had suffered the same hurt and heartache as his dad when Colleen Kelley walked out of their lives. And again when Drew’s marriage fell apart. But his past had nothing to do with the present. His association with Sami was strictly business. He would keep things professional despite his growing interest in her.