Operation Nanny by Paula Graves

Author:Paula Graves
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-05-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“So, you know by now that I’m concentrating on three possible assailants,” Lacey said the next morning as they sat side by side—but carefully not touching—on the steps of the farmhouse’s back porch while they watched Katie run around chasing squirrels that had ventured out that chilly morning to pick up walnuts that had fallen from the two large trees growing in the backyard.

“Yup. The Whittiers, al Adar and J.T. Swain.”

“I assume by now you’ve familiarized yourself with all three?” The dry tone of her voice made him writhe inwardly. She would not be quick to forgive him for his lies of omission. If she ever did.

No matter. He deserved her mistrust.

“I was already familiar with al Adar. I’ve caught up, mostly, on the other two.”

“There may be a few things you don’t know about the Whittier brothers.”

“Maybe not.” He’d risked using the house internet connection to watch the video Alexander Quinn had uploaded to Campbell Cove Security’s cloud storage. A far less careworn Lacey Miles had delved into the details of a Whittier Enterprises real-estate-development deal that was supposed to benefit hundreds of lower-to-middle-class residents of the Bronx. “I know you suspect the Whittiers’ real-estate-development company changed the plans for a housing development near the Bronx in order to facilitate the cover-up of a mysterious death.”

Lacey stared at him. “How the hell could you know that?”

“Because I saw the raw footage of the report you had planned to do.”

Lacey looked away, turning her cool profile to him. Silence extended between them until he was ready to speak just to break the tension. But she spoke first. “Your company was able to get their hands on that footage? It must be better connected than I realized.”

“I think maybe you’re right.”

Katie lost interest in chasing the elusive squirrels and came running over to the porch, launching herself into Jim’s arms. He settled her on his knees, where she beamed at Lacey. “Snowman,” she said firmly.

“I’m afraid Marvin’s almost melted away,” Lacey said with an exaggerated frown.

“Make snowman!” Katie insisted. “Mahbin.”

Lacey glanced at Jim. He shot her a sympathetic look and shrugged one shoulder.

“Make Mahbin!” Katie demanded.

“We’ll have to wait for it to snow again, sweetie.” Lacey reached over to zip up Katie’s jacket just as Jim moved his hands to do the same thing, and her fingers brushed his, setting off sparks. He wasn’t sure if the sensation was the real result of static or just his body’s electric reaction to her touch.

He wasn’t sure it mattered.

Lacey dropped her hand quickly, flicking a swift glance Jim’s way before she settled her gaze on Katie. “I bet you’re hungry, aren’t you, baby?”

Distracted by the demands of her stomach, Katie nodded.

“I’ll get her settled in her high chair if you’ll heat up some chicken-noodle soup for her,” Lacey said, reaching out to take Katie from his arms.

Katie didn’t fuss when Lacey took her inside, though she did shoot Jim a questioning look, as if she didn’t understand why he wasn’t the one carrying her through the mudroom door.

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