Abducted Heart (Z-Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

shook the thought and turned to Lynch, fighting to keep from staring at the wide expanse of chest and shoulders in the charcoal-gray tee she'd lent him. He filled out the stretched-cotton shirt belonging to her husband—something Brent had never done.
    She forced down the lump in her throat. “I have to call a friend. I was supposed to be attending her baby shower today. I want to tell her I'm not coming.”
    “No. I want you to go. Everything needs to appear normal. Zack'll tag along with you.”
    “What?” His friend looked as if he'd just been given a death sentence.
    Lynch squeezed the man's shoulder. “This is called taking one for the team. Remember?”
    “I don't recall ever being told by my commanding officers that I'd be expected to infiltrate a room filled with cackling hens, trying to guess what the hell they filled a diaper with.” Zack shook his head. “No way. You can't make me do this, Lynch.”
    “I need you to, man. I'd go myself but someone might recognize me. You won't have to stay long. Just make an appearance. Say you're Casey's third cousin removed. That you'd come to New Orleans unexpectedly and trailed along to spend time with Casey since you're only in town for the day.”
    Zack looked disgusted by the prospect, but nodded. “All right. I'll do it. But you owe me big time, and if you tell anyone, I mean, anyone at all, I'll put my boot up your ass so far it'll leave a taste of leather in your mouth. Got it?”
    “Understood.”
    Casey might have found their exchange amusing under different circumstances, but Brent's life was on the line here. She didn't love or respect him in any way, but she didn't want to see him dead. “I don't know if I can go to this and act like nothing's wrong.”
    Both men turned their attention to her.
    “You have to, Casey. Brent needs you to be strong.”
    “But these are my friends. I'm not sure I can hide my feelings from them.”
    “Do they know about your impending divorce?”
    Casey shook her head. “No. I haven't told them yet.”
    “If you could keep them in the dark about that, you can pull this off. Like I said, you don't have to stay long. Make an appearance and use Zack as an excuse to leave early so you can get back here to wait for the kidnappers’ call.”
    “All right. So you'll be going to Sterns and Cromwell then?”
    “Yes and somehow get into Brent's office to snoop around. Maybe I'll find something to lead me to his abductor.”
    “On Sundays, there are only a few people in the office. Brent has worked more of them since we've been on the outs. They'll probably be surprised he's not there today.”
    “I can use that. Say I was meeting him and see if they won't let me wait in his office.”
    “I'm sure they won't have a problem with that since there's not a lot of espionage in their line of work.”
    “Good. I'm going to get going. Keep your phone on you. If I learn anything, I'll call.”
    Casey exhaled a breath then nodded. “I will.”
    “Remember to act as if nothing's wrong. Zack, keep your eyes and ears open.”
    Lynch left, and Casey turned to his friend. “Are you sure you want to go?”
    He gave her a lopsided grin. “I've made eye contact with an Iraqi civilian strapped with a chest full of C-12. I think I can handle this.”
     
    *
     
    Lynch thanked his luck that a young woman sat behind the front desk at Brent's office, though the ring on her finger could be a problem. “Hello. I'm here to see Brent Jackson.” He graced her with his signature smile.
    “I believe Mr. Jackson's not in yet.”
    “I wasn't counting on this.”
    “And you are?” she asked, her gaze roaming the length of his body. So much for loyalty to the woman's fiancé.
    “I'm Brent's step-brother, Lynch. I just got into town and wanted to surprise him. He's such a workaholic. I thought he'd be here.”
    She studied his face. “I didn't know Brent had a brother.”
    “Well, technically he's my ex-step-brother since my mother and his father