Deception (Carrington Hill Investigations Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

was the same look she always received when she had to confess who she was. Shock, fear, amusement, it didn’t matter. She tried to hold back her laugh but failed miserably.
    “Owner of Carrington Oil…Alexandria Carrington?”
    She smiled and curtsied before she raised her hand to knock. “One and the same, although I’d like to keep that information to myself as long as possible. So I would appreciate it if you did the same.”
    He lifted a hand and placed it gently on her arm to stop her from knocking again. “Then why this job? You obviously don’t need the money.” He tilted his head. “And I guess I don’t have to worry about you needing mine. So why such a dangerous profession? And how do you expect me to keep it secret?”
    She knocked on the door again as she answered. “I chose this profession because I want to make sure the bad guys get put behind bars. I almost gave my mother a heart attack when I told her, and my dad…well, let’s just say he wasn’t thrilled either, but they were both supportive.”
    “Enter.”
    She paused. “As for keeping it a secret, it shouldn’t be too hard. There are no public pictures of me. I don’t go around flaunting who I am or my money. If I did, then every criminal in the world would be looking to get a piece of me. Do I act like any rich woman you’ve ever met?”
    He shook his head , his brows furrowed. “No, come to think of it, you don’t.”
    She smiled her satisfaction. “Exactly.” She stepped into the office, and he followed.
    “Lexi, Mr. Hathaway.” Sara was seated in front of the director. “Please come in.”
    Lexi winked at Sara. “Sir, I apologize for my recent outburst, but I think that Mr. Hathaway and I have come to a mutual understanding on how to proceed with our case.”
    He gestured to the chair. “I’m not sure how that’s possible, but proceed.”
    “I understand you might think this is unreasonable, but I know in my heart that Catherine would do it for me.” She glanced at Trip. “I offered, and you denied my request to take over the investigation.”
    He nodded in agreement. “I did.”
    “But what you failed to realize is that I’m willing to go to any length to find Catherine and nail whoever is involved in her disappearance.”
    He crossed his arms over his chest , and the planes of his face hardened. “I’m not sure I like where this is going, Lexi.”
    She shrugged nonchalantly but still wished she had his approval. “No disrespect, sir, but I’m not sure that matters anymore.” She cleared her throat. “Trip Hathaway has offered me the opportunity and means to enter his circle of family and friends. I’ll have complete access to everything Catherine was working on, and I’m confident that I can expedite the search for our answers.”
    The director turned a questioning look to Trip. “What did you do? Offer her a job?”
    Trip’s face remained neutral . No hint of redness clouded his cheeks and no playboy twinkle appeared in his eyes. No, she was seeing his business face for the first time, and she was impressed. “No, sir. I asked her to marry me.”
    Sara gasped , and the director rose so fast out of his chair that it rammed into the wall behind him. “Absolutely not.” He placed his palms on the desk and turned his fatherly gaze to her. “I understand that you want to help, but you can’t be serious.”
    She shook her head. “ No other way will be as quick or effective.” She glanced at Trip. “Mr. Hathaway and I have worked out the arrangements, and we both understand and agree that it’s only temporary while we work together.” She crinkled her nose. “It’s more like a business arrangement that will terminate upon the completion of my case.”
    The director raised a brow and shot Trip an accusing look. “You would seriously take advantage of this situation? I underestimated you, Hathaway.”
    He vehemently shook his head. “No , sir, I plan to be a complete gentleman. I respect Ms.