Waters Run Deep (12 page)

“I’ll wait outside,” Nate said, heading through the mudroom and toward the back door where they’d found the dead bird three days before. He didn’t want his mother trying to coat him up with all that junk. And he needed to think. About questions for the feisty nanny.

About why she led him to believe she sold real estate in California. About why she had a phony website for a real-estate agency in Nevada. About who she was and why she was lying.

“Nate?” He turned to find his mother standing next to the boy. “About that thing down in Lafourche?”

“I’m going tomorrow, Mom.”

Picou pressed her lips together. “Always tomorrow, huh?”

He nodded. “But it will come.”

He beckoned the boy and set off to find the nanny.

* * *

Thankfully, Picou had agreed to keep an ear out for Spencer. The boy would probably take a long nap since he’d stayed up late with Tawny and Carter watching some animated feature film they’d gotten their hands on three weeks before it hit theaters. He’d been hard to wake that morning, but she’d cajoled him out with the promise of a Ring Pop after breakfast. The parenting books had stressed the importance of a schedule for young children. She ignored the chapter about limiting sugar. A nanny had to do what a nanny had to do. Sugar was like crack for kids.

For a minute or two, she savored the absolute stillness around her, enjoying the sound of her breath and soft footfalls on the leaf-strewn trail.

Of course, she wouldn’t be alone for long.

Jimmy waited at the mounds.

She increased her pace through the quiet woods, determined to make short work of getting the info and gun, returning in plenty of time to get dressed for the evening at Gerry’s Lounge. She’d cleared having the time off with Tawny and Carter. Her employment contract gave her weekends off, but over the past four weeks, she’d elected to stay on for overtime pay. Any time she’d spent away from the Keenes had been utilized meeting with Ace and his team or checking on her father in the nursing facility in Palo Alto.

She slowed as she approached the mound. Old habits die hard. She didn’t see Jimmy, but the former Secret Service agent was good at fading into the background. She surveyed the open area surrounding the mounds, noting that it wasn’t perhaps the best meeting place after all since it left them somewhat vulnerable.

“Hey,” Jimmy said, tossing a cigarette toward the pine straw at her feet.

She stomped on the lit cigarette. “How long have you been standing there?”

“A few minutes. You’re losing your skills, peach.”

“Bullshit. I knew you were there,” she lied.

He grinned. “Right.”

She jabbed her hands on her hips. “You come from an agency of glorified babysitters.”

“Well, ain’t you the pot?” Jimmy sauntered toward her, giving one of her sweaty curls a tug. “Good to see you, peach.”

Annie pushed his hand away. From the time she’d met him, Jimmy struck her as the kind of guy who flirted with any gal age eighteen to one foot in the grave. He was average in every way with light brown hair, nondescript hazel eyes, slight build, nonthreatening nature—all perfect for getting folks to spill their guts. But for someone so Average Joe, Jimmy was convinced he was irresistible.

“Good to see you, too,” she said, brushing her hair back, wishing she’d had the foresight to bring a hair clip. The sultry air had her hair corkscrewing into her eyes. “So how’re things at base-op?”

“Not much to go on yet, but I’ve got some hot spots I’m pushing.”

“Care to share?”

Jimmy looked around and stepped closer. “Mick bothers me. He’s been screwing around with half the girls on production but has an eye on Tawny. Could be because they knocked boots at one time, but I’m getting strange vibes from those two.”

“That explains the way Carter’s acting—he thinks she’s fooling around, but I’m not convinced. I think she may be using Mick to push Carter’s buttons. Some strong undercurrents there. Anything else?”

Jimmy scratched the goatee on his sharp chin. “A few gals, extras mostly, have their eye on Carter, but it seems harmless. Goo-goo ga-ga over the Hollywood actor, and all. One chick follows him around a good deal and she’s got a mouth on her, but who knows?”

“Too many possibilities to wade through,” she said, swiping her gaze across the area where they stood. The woods were still.

“I’m meeting Jane McEvoy tonight at the hotel bar. Maybe I can find a string for us to pull.”

“Ah, Jane.” Jimmy smiled. “Wouldn’t mind a taste of her, but she’s a bit of a cool customer. Some think she’s got it bad for old Mick, but he doesn’t pay her any attention.”

“She’s only hanging out with me because she’s bored, but it’s a good opportunity to snoop around without the kid at my hip.”

Annie held out a hand. “My gun, please.”

Jimmy withdrew the 9 mm from the waistband of his jeans and handed it to her along with a small box of ammunition. She pulled the small backpack she carried off her back and unzipped the pocket, double-checking the safety, before sliding the gun and ammunition inside. The zip of the bag was the only sound in the woods, that and the call of some bird she couldn’t identify.

Jimmy watched with eyes that missed nothing. “I’m doing my best to be one of the guys. Feels like I’m wasting time. Tonight we’re going to Baton Rouge.”

“So we’re both going clubbing? Can we charge our drinks to Ace?”

“A hot chick like you can work it hard enough to get ’em free, cher.”

“You’re a Cajun now?”

“Nope. A chameleon.”

Annie’s snort coincided with a stick cracking on the path behind them. Jimmy took two steps back into the shadows, pulling her with him, curving one arm around her waist.

“Let go,” she whispered, wiggling in his grasp.

Jimmy tightened his hold “Cover, cher.”

She heard Spencer chattering. What the hell? She glanced down at her sports watch. Two-fifteen. He should still be sleeping.

Had Picou brought him out again? Then she heard the low muffled voice of a man.

Adrenaline shot through her veins, and she pushed at Jimmy’s chest.

More breaking sticks and muffled words.

Someone had Spencer.

She allowed the strap of the backpack to fall from her shoulder while simultaneously unzipping the front pocket where she’d stowed the gun. Her hand hit metal at the same time Jimmy’s lips covered hers.

“Mff,” she sputtered as his other arm came around her, pulling her tightly to him. She jerked back, trying to break the contact because he tasted like an ashtray, because she didn’t like guys with goatees kissing her, and because Spencer might be in grave danger. But Jimmy held fast and even increased the pressure against her lips.

She wrapped her hand around the gun’s grip and prepared to do battle with whoever had the boy she’d been hired to protect.

ANNIE STRUGGLED TO REMOVE herself from Jimmy’s arms while ripping her mouth from his—before he tried some tongue action or something equally disgusting.

“A little afternoon delight?” The voice came from behind them and held little amusement.

She allowed the gun to fall back into the pocket of the backpack and spun toward the wry voice. Nate stood in the path of the woods, holding Spencer’s hand. Her heart froze, and for a moment, she felt as if she’d been caught cheating on him. Maybe it had something to do with his eyes flinging poisonous darts their way.

“Nate,” she said, removing Jimmy’s hands from her hips and stepping away. She shifted the backpack on her shoulders and prayed the gun wouldn’t fall out of the still-unzipped pocket. “What—what are you doing here?”

“I woked up already. Why you wrestling with that guy? Who’s he? Is he marrying you?” Spencer said, dropping Nate’s hand.

For once Annie was glad of Spencer’s inane questions.

“No, he’s not my husband. We’re just friends.”

“Oh,” Spencer said, seemingly satisfied with her answer. He shifted his attention to the mounds behind her before stomping through the high grass surrounding the clearing, heading for his best chance at getting dirty.

She watched to make sure he reached them safely then turned back to the person who wouldn’t be as satisfied with her answer.

Nate’s voice had said it all. He wasn’t a happy camper. But why should he care if she sneaked around the woods to meet up with strange guys? None of his damn business.

Jimmy stepped forward. “Guess you caught us, man. I’m Howie, her little sugar daddy.” He extended a hand to Nate, but the detective ignored it.

Annie faked brittle laughter. “Oh, Howie’s an old friend…not my sugar daddy.”

“So I see,” Nate said, stepping past Jimmy and walking toward her. He dismissed Jimmy. “So Howie can’t come to the door like a regular person?”

Annie swiped a hand across her mouth, trying to erase Jimmy’s kiss. “Um, we needed—”

“—a little alone time,” Jimmy said, moving to her side and curling an arm around her waist.

She wrenched herself from Jimmy’s grasp. “No, we didn’t.”

She looked at Jimmy hard, trying to communicate her intent to him. Even if she’d vowed not to play the flirt with Nate, she didn’t want him to think she was taken. She wasn’t sure if that was out of interest for the case…or her own. “I told you we were over, Howie.”

Jimmy hid his puzzlement well. “I don’t—”

“So you’re telling me you came out here to meet an ex-boyfriend? Here? In the woods away from everyone?” Nate’s eyes communicated the simple thought that she was a dumbass.

“Yes,” she said.

“No,” Jimmy said at the same time.

She glared at Jimmy. Nate cocked an eyebrow. “So which is it?”

Annie zipped her backpack and threaded both arms through the straps. “Look, Howie and I used to date. A long time ago.

When my hard drive screwed up, I called him to bring me a new one. He works for an electronics store and gets a discount. I was going to take him to lunch, but I haven’t been able to get away. I knew he was heading up today, and since he likes history, I told him we’d meet here. I didn’t want a bunch of questions from everyone, and I didn’t think he’d take it as a sign I wanted mauling.”

Jimmy faked disbelief then anger. “I thought you wanted to be alone. You’re such a goddamned tease, Ann. You always pull this shit.”

Annie blinked. Jimmy was a good actor. “Watch your language around the kid.”

Jimmy narrowed his eyes. “All this way and used my damn discount for nothing. I only get to use it three times a year. Three times and I blew one on you.”

“You thought I’d trade sex for a hard drive? Please. I have standards.”

Nate watched them carefully. Annie felt his hard perusal. She glanced at him and noted he didn’t look convinced. Just disgusted. And that made her feel rotten.

“Always thought you were too good for me, didn’t you? But not too good to use for your own gain. I hope the damn drive doesn’t work. It’s a refurbished one anyway.” Jimmy huffed, shoving his hands into his pockets. “You’re welcome to her. She wasn’t so good in the sack noways.”

Now, that was going a little too far.

Jimmy gave her a hateful glance before stomping back down the path. He may or may not have thrown her the bird. She didn’t know because she watched Nate who thankfully took to studying the canopy of branches overhead.

“Sorry, that was a bit awkward,” Annie said, breaking the silence.

“Yeah.”

Silence fell again, only interrupted with an occasional “whee” from Spencer.

As she watched the boy roll down the hill, she berated herself for getting caught in the first place. Now Jimmy would be unable to go back to the catering gig. His cover was blown and he was useless. Second, somehow she’d lost her mojo to control situations.

Maybe leaving the Bureau and playing soccer mom had scrabbled her brain and addled her ability to canvas a situation and play it to her advantage. Had she lost what made her Anna? Control, intelligence and good reaction? And if so, how the devil would she make herself indispensable to her new boss?

“Look, he’s not anything to me.”

Nate slid his gaze to hers. “Why should it matter to me who you screw in the woods?”

“It doesn’t. And I wasn’t. I haven’t seen him in years. Don’t know why he thought this was something other than a favor between old friends.” She patted the backpack for good measure, praying it threw off any suspicions Nate had about her being involved in anything wonky. She wanted him to open up to her, to talk about the case. If he thought she was involved, she could kiss those chances goodbye. “He owed me, you know?”

“Were you using him?”

“Of course not,” she said, licking her lips. “He volunteered to get a drive for me when I said something about being down here in Louisiana and having trouble with my laptop. We’re Facebook—”

“Look, I’m not interested.”

“In me?”

A little pulse ticked in his jaw. She wanted to reach outand trace it with a fingertip, but that would be nuts.

He finally looked at her. “I’m not starting anything with you. You’re a suspect.”

“I am?”

“And even if you weren’t a suspect, I wouldn’t be interested in anything more than a little fun.”

Her heart felt as if it had snagged on something and she involuntarily lifted a hand to her chest. Why would his words hurt?

Sure, she thought he was hot and her stomach flip-flopped around him at times, but he was nothing more than a pawn to be used.

Nothing more than her ticket to helping crack the case so she could get a better foothold in a career path. “Who said I want you?”

His mouth tightened. “Just being straight with you. I’m not interested in a relationship.”

She couldn’t stop the anger welling inside her. “Well, good. I’m not either. I’m only nice to you because of Picou. She’s a decent person who doesn’t deserve such a jackass for a son…a jackass who presumes I’d drop my panties for any guy who comes along.”

“You call what you’ve been nice? Hate to hear what you consider down and dirty.”

“Good luck seeing anything down and dirty with me, bucko.”