Chapter 8

8

"Y our usual?"

Will glanced up from the displayed muffins and pastries to find the pretty barista hovering with her tongs. "Yes, the pumpkin muffin. Thanks." The Corner Coffee Club made the best pumpkin muffins. Or had a secret supplier of them. He could always count on them having his favorite on Saturday mornings.

Gwen liked bacon and chocolate malts, but the bakery didn't have a bacon muffin. "Let me have two pumpkin."

The server got a bigger bag and pulled the muffins. "Is that all?"

"And a blueberry." Gwen might not want a pumpkin muffin, but everyone liked blueberry. The steamed milk machine hissed, and the aroma of coffee made him salivate, but he could brew some at home and he didn't want to be gone too long. "No coffee today, thanks."

A smile tugged his mouth at the memory of last night. For someone so sweet and modest, Gwen's lovemaking had set the sheets on fire. A sharp contrast to how she'd played her cards close to her chest earlier. For a good reason, it turned out.

He hoped she didn't plan to take the next train home this morning. Not until they'd figured out why someone in a black SUV had been staking out her place. But she might be feeling pressured after he'd confessed his own certainty. Still, he couldn't retract his words now, and he didn't regret baring his feelings. The truth seemed too important to keep inside. Hopefully, that would count as a point in his favor. At the shop's cashier, he pressed his phone app to the reader and collected the muffins.

The line of customers now stretched to the front windows. On Saturdays, neighbors who frequented the Corner Coffee liked to congregate outside and visit. He recognized a few of the regulars, his gaze snagging on someone else nearly as familiar and his pulse revved. What the hell was Gwen's rock fan stalker doing here?

"May I get by, please," a female voice said behind him.

Will retreated to the cool, dark shadows along the front of the store, tensed and ready for action. The man must have visited a barber last night. He no longer sported long, stringy black hair, but a razor-cut. Still, Will could swear this was the same guy. In fact, he wore the same jacket today, even though the mercury promised to climb fast. Suspicious.

The dude hardly noticed the people around him. Was he waiting for someone?

A bad feeling lodged in his gut. He'd left Gwen all alone in his apartment. Yes, the building had a doorman, but anyone could pose as a maintenance workman and come up from the basement. His apartment was secure to anyone but him, but Gwen might open the door if someone misrepresented themselves. He'd used that ploy himself a few times when he'd been on a mission.

If he wanted to leave and get home—and he did—he would have to walk right past T-shirt slash Rock Fan. Something told him that was exactly what the guy expected. Will pulled his phone and took some photos of him before leaving.

* * *

Gwen glanced at her watch and back to Will's expansive living room window view. Surely, this was why he'd chosen the apartment, plus the ability to put in his own security. Considering the shadows pedestrians below cast, the sun had already climbed high enough to shine over the surrounding buildings.

Will had been an amazing lover, and she was glad she'd taken the dare she'd given herself. But going to bed together had changed the dynamics of their relationship. They could never undo or forget what had happened. Not that she wanted to, but their relationship had just grown more complicated. Heck, they hadn't even known each other sixteen hours ago. Thinking about being a couple so soon made her feel edgy.

That declaration of his had both stunned and warmed her. He'd sounded smitten, and no one she'd ever met had said those sorts of things to her. Even months into a relationship. Even if he didn't need time, she did, and she had no clue what she would say to him when he returned.

She placed his note back on the kitchen counter. Based on the time he'd jotted at the top, he'd been gone thirty minutes already. She must have awakened when he'd left and had already showered in his sleek, modern bathroom and given her hair a vigorous towel dry. He'd suggested she make some coffee if he wasn't back when she found his comments. She'd discovered the beans and was studying the complicated-looking coffee maker when the apartment door opened and Will entered.

She stepped into the foyer. "Where'd you go?"

"Coffee shop on the corner." He placed the white bakery bag on the counter and pulled her close to nuzzle her neck. "Hmm, you smell good."

"I'm clean, anyway," she explained, shifting out of his reach. "Washed off all that sweaty subway grime."

He'd showered, too, and the scent of his soap tickled her nose. Though the water would have long evaporated, his sexy beard looked darker. He wore a green polo tucked into jeans that rode low on his hips. "Sorry I took so long. There was a long line."

She peeled open the bag and inhaled the sweet, spicy scent rising from the muffins inside. "There are three."

"Your choice. If you don't like pumpkin, you can have the blueberry."

"But I love pumpkin." How could he possibly know?

"You could have made yourself a cup of coffee." He retrieved the slip with his jottings. "Did you read this?"

"Yes, thanks for letting me know you were out. I only just now saw it." She rubbed her arms. Should she say something about last night? But how could she when she didn't know herself exactly what she wanted. She'd told him about her ex, so he should be fine with her taking her time.

He walked over to the coffee maker and looked over his shoulder at her.

"I know I'm a scientist, and I do like puzzles." She shrugged. "But I'm only an expert at a drip pot or a percolator, nothing fancy. Do you have a manual?"

"Somewhere around here." Will laughed and stepped in to take over, pouring fresh beans into the top and filling the carafe with water. "I've actually got milk and sugar thanks to my sister's visit." Once he set the machine brewing, he took plates from a cabinet. "Did anyone come to the door while I was gone?"

"No." She chose a pumpkin muffin for herself, peeled back the wrapping, and took a bite. "Hmm. Wonderful."

When Will didn't explain, she glanced up, startled by his frown. She tightened inside. Something was wrong here, but she didn't know what. "Were you expecting someone?"

"Not at all." He touched her cheek. "But I was worried."

She crossed her arms. He'd told her last night she was safe. "What happened?"

"I saw your stalker at the coffee shop." Will took his cell from a pocket and swiped to the first photo. "This is what he looks like today."

She took his cell and studied the image. Her long-haired creep had cleaned up. "He got his hair cut and sure doesn't look like a band groupie."

"There are more." He reached over her shoulder and swiped to the next photo.

The coffee machine pinged, and Will poured them both a cup. She sipped her brew, chewed and swallowed another tasty bite. As she shifted between several more photos, a realization slammed her.

She set down her muffin. "I know where I've seen him before. I don't know his name, but I'm pretty sure he attended the seminar my boss and I presented on the preliminary results of our research. At the university. It was part of an annual conference on our field. There were scientists from all over the world. About a hundred, hundred and fifty people in attendance."

"That's a crowd." Will studied her, his dark, auburn brows still drawn together. "What made you remember him in particular?"

"He was with the group of men who clustered around my boss afterwards asking questions."

Will had already demolished his muffin and was leaning forward, the long fingers of one hand wrapped around his cup. "Did you notice anyone else in particular?"

She sipped her coffee, considering. "I saw T-shirt guy speak privately with a stocky older man with slicked-back dark hair. He wore a dark three-piece suit when most of the other attendees were in short sleeves."

"Did you hear what they were asking?"

"No, my boss gave me his presentation notes to stash in the safe behind the hospitality desk. He didn't have time to take them back to his office because he worried someone would follow him and discover where we worked. He didn't want to leave them lying around, either. We try to keep information private and have codes and swipe cards for entry."

"Sounds like solid security to me." Will sipped his brew.

"I guess something about these guys raised my boss's concerns. We have a responsibility to keep these organisms safe and out of the hands of the public. I got his presentation locked up and then went to another room to help with refreshments. According to Dr. Hepler later, these two didn't circulate and kept him from doing so himself. He's going to lodge a complaint to make sure no one besides researchers and government officials be allowed to attend these seminars."

"Sounds like a good plan."

Gwen walked to the windows. "Can people on the street see us standing at the window?"

"I doubt it. This is the twentieth floor."

She shielded her gaze and studied the sidewalks. "I don't see anyone loitering below."

He joined her there, mug in hand. "I don't see him now, but he was there."

"We didn't see any cars following us last night. You would have told me." She bit her lip. "Right?"

He put his arm around her shoulders. "Of course."

Some guys kept their thoughts to themselves, but Will had been open about his. She had to remember that. She grimaced. "Sorry, Will, I was just shifting through possibilities."

"Good to do." He took another sip. "I expect that's because you're a good research scientist."

He was sweet. "I guess, but here's the thing. When T-shirt guy started following me, he couldn't have known I was planning to meet you. Plus, he didn't follow us here. How did he know where you live?"

"I have an idea." Will walked into the living room, set his mug in the sink, and came back into the big room, looking around. "Where's your big bag?"

She retrieved her tote from beside the couch and showed him.

"Do you mind if I search this?" he asked.

"I'll do it." She walked to the breakfast bar and immediately set out the small bag with cosmetics and hairbrush. To that, she added the envelope with the accounting study guide, a paperback mystery, a folded rain jacket, and other odds and ends. From the side sleeve she pulled her cell.

Will tapped a finger against his lips. "That's all?"

She frowned. "Should I have something else?"

"Have you ever heard of an air tag?" Will took her bag. "May I?"

"Sure." She followed him over to the couch where he upended her bag and picked up the little square object that fell out. "Is this yours?"

She shook her head, frowning. "I've never seen it."

"This is how he's finding you." Will showed her the tracking devise. "He planted this on you, and you've had your tote with you constantly. We should get rid of this thing now."

Will took out a chopping board and smashed the device with a rubber mallet.

"He knows I'm in this building, maybe even this apartment." She leaned on her elbows and studied the shattered bits of the tag. "I'm sorry, Will. I've dragged you into this."

He rubbed her back. "Don't worry. I wonder why he didn't approach us last night."

"Probably because I was with you." She tapped her lips. "I'm trying to think when he could have planted this on me."

"It's got to be before you met me since your stalker was already following you by then. Do you remember anyone standing close to you earlier in the day? Anyone who bumped you?"

"Let me think." She reeled back through yesterday's events and swallowed against the bile climbing her throat.

"Friday night. Outside a package delivery office." She held his blue gaze, gradually gaining more confidence in the memory. "I'd just mailed an overnight envelope for my boss and was getting ready to call you. Office workers were pouring out of the elevators heading for the building's lobby. It was really a crush. And that's where I noticed the T-shirt guy."

"Then not at the university?" Will asked.

"That was the first time. That's why he seemed familiar." She stowed her raincoat, her stomach twisting. Last night the harassment had scared her, and all she'd wanted was to escape. "I don't understand why he cares where I'm going?"

"He wants to talk to you?" Will speculated.

She shuddered. The fact that the T-shirt guy might have an agenda terrified her. How long would this keep up? And what could she do in the meantime?

Will threw out the shattered device, clasped his hands on the counter and lifted his gaze to her. "This is just a theory, now, but if they're crooks, which I suspect, they might want to get hold of that virus you work with at the lab."

"What makes you think they're bad actors?" She so did not want to hear this.

"Instinct."

Her only instinct was to run and hide. "This is going to sound naive, but I have to ask. Did you ever run into this sort of thing before? In the military?"

"Nothing that had to with biological weapons, but let's just say the men I had to deal with weren't very nice."

O-kay . She huffed out a breath. "I've probably still got records of the attendees of that seminar." She set her repacked tote aside. "If I went into work, I could look for them."

Will held up a hand. "Don't bother. They probably used fake names. I've already sent these photos to a friend who works in counterintelligence and terrorism with the FBI. He and I served together and mustered out about the same time. He might be able to identify your stalker. Then we'd have a name."

"What will that help?" She watched him send a message.

"With that information, we can find out who he is and how dangerous he might be. In the meantime, I think you should stay here until this situation is resolved."

And how long would that take? A week? A month? She wasn't sure she wanted to know, but they both had their own lives. "I'll be in your way. Throw your whole weekend out of whack."

He tugged her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her. "I think you'll find I'm very accommodating."

"I do appreciate that." They shared a look, and her body swayed toward his. This relationship was happening whether or not she wanted it to, and all she could do now was to be careful not to let herself get swept away.

Will let go. He opened the fridge and set out juice and a carton of eggs. "In my role as host, I'm prepared to make you breakfast."

"I feel like royalty, but if you're serious and making scrambled eggs, I'll take some." She kissed him quickly on the cheek and cleared the breakfast bar, wrapping her fingers through the tote's handles she was ambushed by a sudden thought. "I carried my bag everywhere yesterday, including into my aunt and uncle's house."

She powered up her cell and found her uncle's number in her contact list. "I need to warn them, Uncle Tim, anyway." She stared at Will, her mind suddenly blank. "What am I going to say without telling him the truth?"

Will didn't have time to answer before her aunt picked up. "Hi, Aunt Kathy." Gwen put the call on speaker. "Is Uncle Tim around?"

"He's in the garage," her aunt said. "Why? Is something the matter?"

"Not really." She rolled her eyes at Will.

"Oh, here he comes," she said, saving Gwen from further interrogation. "Talk to Gwen, honey. I need to take the biscuits out of the oven."

"Saved by the biscuits," Gwen murmured. Will grinned. "Hi, Uncle Tim. I need to ask you something, but you need to keep this on the down-low. Will you watch out for any unfamiliar cars cruising the streets around there? Specifically, a large black SUV with tinted windows."

"What's going on, Gwen?" Her uncle's voice turned gruff and no-nonsense.

"Sir, this is Will Strongbow." Will bent closer. "There's been some strange activity in the area where Gwen lives."

"Tell her to come over here, for Pete's sake," her uncle said.

She stifled a grown. Of course, he'd tell her this. "I can't right now, Uncle Tim. I'm back in the city."

"With Will?"

"As a matter of fact, yes," she paused. Uncle Tim could assume they'd slept together. They had, but her uncle might have strict opinions about that sort of thing. She didn't know because she'd never tested them.

Will traded glances with her and jumped into the conversation again. "Anyway, Gwen's worried this strange activity might overflow to your neighborhood."

"A black SUV?"

"Yes, sir. Have you seen anything like that on your street?"

"Not yet," her uncle answered. "I'll keep my eyes out for it and call you if I see one."

"Please," Gwen said. "Thanks. It's up to you if you want to tell Leslie or Aunt Kathy, but I hope there won't be any need. And if a stranger comes to the door, call the police."

"Yes, yes. I'll handle them. Don't worry. Take care of yourself. You, too, Will." Uncle Tim ended the call.

Gwen stared down at her phone and then looked at Will. "We've warned him, but I really hope he doesn't see anything."

"Me, too." Will lifted the carafe. "Want a refill?"

She nodded and extended her cup. "What did your FBI friend say?"

"I haven't heard back yet." His cell chimed. Will read the caller ID. "It's him."

Will listened for a few minutes and glanced at his watch. "We'll be there," he said and set down his cell.

"Where are we going?" Gwen asked.

"Clay's in town for a training seminar at a hotel here in Manhattan." He checked the time "We need to meet him for lunch."