Dangerous Proposition (18 page)

Closing his eyes, he reviewed the day’s plan in his mind. He and Julia would drive to a hotel located in a busy part of the City. There, they would meet Mateo Esposito, a man with a less than stellar reputation whom Elliot Murdock, Byron’s father, had relied upon often in his past dealings. Known for being a reliable snitch, Esposito had no scruples and would typically provide information to the highest bidder.

It wasn’t Colin’s first choice involving Julia in his meeting with the informant. But he didn’t see how he could avoid it. He’d wanted her at his side. Now, he was paying the price.

On the other hand, it wasn’t as though he minded her company. In fact, he was starting to enjoy it. Turning on his cheek, he glanced at Julia, who was sleeping soundly. As she breathed in and out, he listened to her and leaned in close. With her long eyelashes turned downward, she seemed uncharacteristically innocent. Her long red hair was draped over the fabric of her pillowcase. So soft and warm, he was very tempted to run his fingers through it. He inched forward then stopped.

Leaning back against his pillow, he drew a sharp breath. He didn’t care for these urges he was having, which were more than just sexual. He was starting to become emotionally attached.

Emotional attachments only led to pain, and a lot of it. Not that he couldn’t handle pain. But this wasn’t the sort of strife one could deal with by forking over a little extra funding.

He’d learned this lesson young, as the only woman he’d ever really made the mistake of getting emotionally involved with was Erica. Doing so with Julia Dyson would be far worse. Snatching up his clothes, he wandered down the hall.

Safely behind the bathroom door, Colin splashed cold water onto his face. He shaved with Byron’s shaving foam, thinking that if he had the time, he’d take a cold shower.

He certainly could use one.

Blotting his wet face with a towel, he stifled a groan. He had always found Julia to be attractive, but lately that attraction seemed to be growing more intense. He supposed he could blame her for that, for not simply upholding her end of their bargain as she’d agreed. But his desires were beginning to affect his concentration. And that was definitely not for the better.

It had taken more than a fair amount of strength to hold Julia last night and not do a lot more than hold her. The urge to slip his hands beneath that godawful flannel sack she was wearing and inch his groin between her legs had kept him awake the better part of the night. Consequently, he would be driving them out of town on virtually no sleep.

Attraction to beautiful women was normal—this was something he was quite familiar with. But there were other things, like the way he flew into a panic whenever Julia was in trouble, and turned into a jealous boyfriend whenever she got within ten feet of another man. These were occurrences he wanted nothing more than to trample over, feelings that disturbed him as nothing ever had.

Approaching the bedroom, Colin noticed a shadow moving about the floor. The door was open a crack. As he got beside it, he saw Julia walk from the bed to the dresser. She tossed the flannel nightdress she was wearing to the ground.

He hesitated. About to go back the way he’d come, he muttered a curse and got beside the crevice in the door. He angled his eye. Julia, back turned toward him, was dressed in only her panties.

Feeling quite warm, Colin squinted, fighting to see as much of her cream-white skin as possible. She slid one leg into her jeans, amber curls spilling over her shoulders and torso as she did so. The peaks of her breasts were revealed to him as she picked up her bra, holding it in front of her body. The sound of footsteps nearly caused him to jump out of his skin.

“There’s breakfast in the kitchen,” Byron said. “Would you and Julia like some coffee before you hit the road?”

“That’s sweet, but I think we’ll pass.” Julia, fully clothed, stepped through the door. “We really want to be getting a jump on that rush-hour traffic. And I think we’re both revved enough. Don’t you agree, Colin?” With a saucy smile, she stepped past him, tossing her knapsack onto her back.

Colin didn’t say another word, that was, except to thank Byron and Erica for their hospitality before packing up the car.

Julia was quiet as they drove. Colin was relieved, considering what he had done to her while she was getting dressed. He was surprised she didn’t call him out for the pervert he was.

Much to the contrary, Julia seemed almost as anxious as she had when they’d first arrived. Her eyes were tense, and she was staring at the windshield as though she were the one driving, instead of the other way around. He thought briefly of reaching across the passenger seat and clutching her hand. But he adamantly decided against it.

“Are we almost there?” Julia asked, anxiety high in her voice.

I’m driving as fast as I can, your highness
. “Yeah.” Colin released a breath. “We’re almost there. Don’t worry. This will all be over soon.”

And it would be over, one way or the other. He only prayed he was on the winning end when it was.

At ten o’clock, they arrived at the hotel, which was where they would be staying for an indefinite period of time. They made their way across the lobby and checked in under the assumed names Julia had created for them, Lewis Higgins and Delilah Jasper. Then, after a brief stop to drop off their things, they headed down to the café where they would be meeting Mateo Esposito.

As they stepped through the large French doors, a man sitting at the farthest end of the room shot Colin and Julia a knowing look. He appeared to be in his midforties, and he had dark-brown hair with just the slightest touch of gray. Wearing a beige trench coat, he was smiling far too eagerly in Julia’s direction. But what was even more disturbing was the way Julia was smiling back at him.

“Mr. Esposito,” Julia said, extending her hand. “I can’t tell you how grateful we are to you for taking time out of your busy schedule. I know that I, personally, am exceedingly grateful for everything you’re doing for us.”

As Julia took the seat across from Esposito, Colin shot the preppy buffoon a skeptical glance. He had been leading this investigation from the beginning, and he had every intention maintaining status quo. It would be best for Julia and her knight in shining armor if they kept that foremost in their minds.

“Please,” Esposito said, offering Julia a debonair grin as he took her hand. “Call me Mateo.”

Her brilliant blue eyes glittered. “Mateo it is. Let’s get down to business, shall we? What exactly have you been able to find out so far? Any information at all would be helpful. My counterpart and I have basically hit a brick wall.”

Colin grunted. Perching on his elbow, he fought the urge to wedge himself right between the “happy couple.” It couldn’t hurt the nausea he was fighting.

“I ran a check on the location of the party you attended,” Esposito said. “Apparently the building was being rented to a Mr. Griffin Strycker.” Looking from Julia to Colin, he said, “Does that name ring any bells?”

“No,” Julia answered way too quickly.

Colin glanced in her direction. Griffin Strycker had reported directly to Lucas during his time with Project Gemstone. The bastard was slick, and that was a nice way of putting it. He’d been taking well more than his share of the profits during the course of his employment. Only terminating him had been generous.

It wouldn’t surprise him to learn that Griffin Strycker was trying to kill him. The guy was bitter, and naturally Colin knew exactly who he was. The question was how did Julia?

Angling his chair, he asked, “Assuming this Griffin Strycker is the one behind the abduction, why would he take Tucker?”
Let’s see Mr. Hot Shot try and explain that one
.

“I can’t say for sure,” Esposito said, sitting back. “But the most logical explanation is that Strycker, or whoever it is he’s working for, is trying to draw you in gradually. It’s very likely that the attack was only meant to scare you, and that this is all part of a bigger plot. My theory? Whoever’s behind Tucker’s abduction is trying to lure you in gradually then kill you.”

This did sound plausible. And it made sense, especially considering Julia seemed to know more about Griffin Strycker than she was saying.

“What’s our next move?” Julia asked.

Esposito took a swig of coffee. “Well, the way I figure this thing is that Strycker isn’t working alone. He’s working for a higher-up.”

And just who was that supposed to be? Since Strycker had reported directly to Lucas, there weren’t a whole lot of possibilities as to who his so-called string puller might be. Not unless one counted the dunces working alongside of the man, who probably hadn’t made it through the sixth grade.

“I seriously doubt this guy’s working alone,” Julia agreed. “The way that party was orchestrated, so flawlessly, I’d say there are three, maybe even four of these psychopaths working together.”

Esposito turned toward Colin with a smirk. “She’s smart, Dr. Westwood. Too bad you didn’t have a woman like her as your tag-team partner all these years. Perhaps then you wouldn’t be in this mess, hmm?”

Colin held a drawn fist beneath the table, doing everything he could to keep from ramming this Sam Spade wannabe right in the jaw. Apparently Byron’s connections had gone to hell along with his assets. This crackpot Hardy Boy didn’t know a thing about Tucker’s abduction, or the men involved.

“There are, in fact, two men working with Strycker,” Esposito said. “Could be more—this is only what I’ve put together so far.”

“Guy by the name of John Rizzo,” Colin interrupted. Glancing Julia’s way, he added, “My associates and I learned of his involvement just before you and I attended that party.”

“So you did manage to figure out a thing or two, Dr. Westwood. We just might be able to save your ass yet.” Esposito shot Julia a wink. “Rizzo is working with Griffin Strycker for certain. And I’ve got a third guy. A Mr. Dylan Rossler.”

All former employees of Project Gemstone, who had worked under Lucas. The pattern was becoming oddly frightening. If Colin didn’t know any better, he might’ve thought his once-partner was trying to send him a message from the grave. Namely, that he wanted him to join him.

He cracked his knuckles. “Your theories are intriguing, Mr. Esposito. But I’m curious. How it is that you were able to dig up all of this information in less than twenty-four hours? Could it be that you’re working alongside of these nut jobs, helping them track our every move?”

“Colin!” Julia sprang to her feet. “Mateo is trying to help us. How can you possibly make an accusation like that?”

So it was
Mateo
now, was it? Never mind that the son of a bitch was about as poised as a cartoon detective in a B-rate movie. He was playing Julia like a cheap deck of cards, and she was falling for it hook, line, and sinker.

Esposito stood, slamming his chair against the table. “Listen, Mack. If you don’t want my help, just say the word. I’m gone.”

And they would be a lot better off without it. If Julia wasn’t standing there, he would gladly escort
Mateo
to the door. By the collar.

“Come on, boys. Play nice,” Julia said. “The truth is, Mateo, we’re really up a creek. And I know Colin isn’t about to let valuable assistance slip through our fingers just because we’re both a little overtired.”

Rage flooded Colin’s insides. This bastard wasn’t an asset—he was the sorriest excuse for an informant he’d ever met. For all the money he was paying the nincompoop, he hadn’t given them a single piece of information regarding Tucker’s whereabouts. And his arrogant persona raised serious doubts as to where his loyalty lied.

“In that case,” Esposito said as he sat, “let’s continue.” As Julia and Colin followed suit, he went on, “My sources inform me that Dylan Rossler will be at a party tonight, in the area near the penthouse the two of you visited last time. Once we know the identity of the man who’s trying to off you, Colin, I believe that man will lead us straight to Tucker.”

“You think he’s alive?” Julia’s eyes brightened.

“I have no doubt of it,” Esposito said. “Tucker’s abduction is part of a larger plot, and it’s more than likely that it’s being orchestrated by someone who’s looking to come into a lot of money.”

“Well, we want to help in any way we can,” Julia said.

“Excellent.” Esposito shut his briefcase. “Because if everything checks out, you and I are headed to that party tonight.”

“You and I?” Colin and Julia questioned at the same time.

Angling his chair toward Colin, Esposito exhibited a patronizing smile. “Considering what happened last time, I think it’s best if you sit this one out. It’s simpler this way. We’ll draw less attention, since there are undoubtedly going to be people at this affair who’ll recognize you. Julia poses as my date. We mingle, split up. And she uses her feminine wiles to get the inside track on Dylan Rossler.”

“It’s not happening that way,” Colin thundered, snatching Julia by the arm. He dragged her to her feet.

“Speak for yourself, Westwood,” she said, prying free. “If it’ll get my dad back, it’s worth a shot.”

Colin blinked, hardly believing what this had come to. In less than fifteen minutes he’d lost complete control of Tucker’s investigation. He didn’t give a damn who Sherlock Homes had worked for in the past. There was no way he was letting the guy be a part of his team. He was going to make sure he knew it.

“We appreciate you taking the time to meet with us, Mr. Esposito. And naturally you’ll be well compensated for the work you’ve done so far. But with all due respect, I think I can take it from here.”

“With all due respect, Dr. Westwood,” Esposito said, looking him square in the eye, “somewhere out there is a man who wants you dead.”

“I can take care of myself,” Colin growled, indicating to a very resistant Julia that it was time to go. He walked to the door, not waiting to see whether or not she was behind him.

As he approached the entrance to the cafe, he briefly considered turning back. But if he did, he was only going to beat Mateo Esposito to a pulp.