Chapter 7

chapter

seven

Nia stared at Gage across the table.

This guy knew more than he was letting on. She just wasn’t sure what he knew.

He came across as trustworthy.

But was he?

She swallowed hard as the thoughts turned over in her head.

“I appreciate you finding me,” she said. “But Rob is truly only a work contact. As much as I’d like to talk to you or someone else about the details of our business association, he’s the only one I’m authorized to talk to about most of those details.”

“I understand.” Gage nodded slowly, thoughtfully. “I only know that Rob said he needed me to come for some reason. When he didn’t answer his phone, I assumed he’d gotten distracted.”

She quirked an eyebrow. “Distracted? ”

“You know, maybe he met someone and went home with her or something.”

Her throat tightened, and everything turned to gelatin around her. “Does he do that often?”

Gage shrugged. “No, but there’s always a first time.”

Why did Nia feel as if Gage was measuring her reaction?

Nia needed now more than ever to keep her cool. She couldn’t afford to give anything away.

Because she felt certain that as soon as she did, this guy would pounce.

Their drinks were delivered, a nice distraction from the intensity of the conversation.

But her relief didn’t last long.

Because just then Graham Boston, her vice president, called.

She excused herself to answer.

Nia’s lungs tightened at their conversation, at the events that were unfolding just as she knew they would. She couldn’t avoid reality forever, but the phone call had come more quickly than she’d thought.

She slid her phone back into her pocket and felt Gage studying her again.

“Is everything okay?” he asked quietly, a touch of curiosity in his words.

Nia shook her head. “I’m sorry, Gage. I don’t know how to break this to you. But the police . . . they found Rob. He’s dead.”

Gage stared at Nia. Stared at the tremble in her hands. Observed how her gaze darted. How her voice became throaty with emotion.

She was definitely hiding something.

But right now, he had to pretend to be clueless.

He braced his hands on the table. “What do you mean dead ?”

Nia glanced down at her barely touched latte. “There’s no easy way to say this. The police believe Rob was murdered last night. I’m so sorry.”

Even though Gage already knew that, his heart beat harder.

He still couldn’t believe it. Reality hadn’t fully sunk in yet. And hearing the words aloud . . . he didn’t have to act surprised.

His shock was still real.

Rob had been his best friend, the one person he’d been able to depend on during a tumultuous childhood. Gage’s mother had left when he was a toddler, and his dad drank too much. Had kicked Gage out of the house as soon as he graduated.

Gage had been ready to leave. Yet he hadn’t been fully equipped. Didn’t have a job that paid enough to cover his bills. That was why he’d joined the military.

After enlisting, his background must have triggered something in the system. He’d been plucked out of obscurity for a special program the military was starting.

All the guys participating had similar backgrounds, which basically meant they had no strong family ties.

It was a harsh realization but true .

People with strong, supportive families would have gotten pushback from loved ones. The program would have failed because of it.

He turned back to Nia. “Do they know what happened? Or when? Where?”

Nia shook her head, appearing earnestly perplexed. “I didn’t get all the details. All I know is that the police are at Rob’s place, and they would like to ask me a few questions.”

“Why is that?”

She shrugged. As she did, she waved her hand, hitting her drink.

Liquid spilled over the white tablecloth before she had a chance to snatch the white cup and set it upright.

Gage took his napkin and wiped up the liquid before it spread.

“I’m so clumsy . . .” she murmured.

“It’s probably the shock of it all.”

“Maybe.”

Gage ran a hand over his face and stood. “May I go with you to talk to the police? Please? I . . . I need some answers also.”

Nia studied him as she contemplated her response.

“Besides, you don’t seem as if you’re in any state to navigate these streets by yourself,” he continued.

Nia didn’t argue with his statement.

Finally, she nodded. “I guess there’s no harm that could come from that.”

“Thank you.” Gage pulled out his wallet and dropped some bills on the table. “My treat. ”

Nia still looked stiff as she stood, a stoic look in her eyes.

Gage had no idea what the rest of this day would hold.

But he would get the truth from Nia if it was the last thing he did.