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

Carrington’s determination and want to help her find her friend and, hopefully, she can catch the thief in the process.” He held the director’s gaze. “I know time isn’t on your side finding Catherine. I’m only trying to help.”
     

Chapter 4
     
     
    Hours later, and exhausted from going over the details about her new case, Lexi pulled out of the FBI parking garage. She was amazed that she still had her job and that the director had agreed for Sara and Garrett to join her bodyguard detail. She was now going to the one place she hadn’t expected to visit in at least another year. A message from her attorney confirmed that Trip had indeed followed through on his promise to produce the required paperwork that would give them both peace of mind.
    Lexi slowed down at the guarded gate as the iron doors slid open. She winked to the guard on duty and pulled up in front of the house where she’d grown up. A place she’d tried her best to avoid. A long time ago, she’d accepted that she didn’t fit in with the circles her family ran in. She wasn’t debutante material. If anything, she was a tomboy at heart. Keeping her dresses clean and her hair brushed when she’d been little had always been a challenge for the nannies assigned to turn her into a little lady. The memories assaulted her full force, like those of a forgotten friend, as she stepped out of her car.
    Jonathan stepped down off the steps to retrieve her bags, out of the trunk, just as she pulled them out herself. “I’ve got this.”
    “Ms. Carrington, if you continue to do my job, I may just have to quit.”
    Lexi set the bag at her feet and pulled the old man into an embrace. The fragrance of his cologne drifted to her nose, the same cologne she’d given him years before as a birthday present. “Jonathan, you know you’re the only reason I come back. If you quit, there would be no reason for me to return.”
    Reaching down and picking up the bag, Jonathan carried it up the steps and through the open door. “We couldn’t have that now, could we?”
    Lexi patted him on his back as she passed , heading for the kitchen. “Nope, it would be all your fault, old man.”
    Jonathan stepped in front of Lexi’s path. “Where are you going?”
    She pointed in the direction of the kitchen. “To get some coffee. It’s been a long day.”
    He shook hi s head. “I’ll bring it to you. Mr. Kincaid is waiting for you in the study.” His brow lifted a fraction of an inch, testing her. “You do remember where the study is, don’t you?”
    Lexi grinned. Even though she ’d tried to stay away as much as possible, she sure did miss Jonathan’s company and even his snide remarks. “I may have been gone, but I’m not brain dead.”
    She spun on her heel and walked away.
    Lexi met Kincaid’s disapproving stare as she opened the door. She glanced down at her jeans and T-shirt. She’d meant to change into appropriate attire, but well, sometimes things just didn’t work out the way she planned. That was a lesson  becoming much more familiar lately. She shrugged and held out her hand. “Mr. Kincaid, it’s lovely to see you again. I apologize for the urgency of this matter, but it couldn’t possibly wait.”
    Kincaid gave a slight nod as he enfolded her hand in both of his and shook. “Alexandria, it’s always a pleasure.”
    She snickered , rounded the desk, and sat in her father’s chair. The word ass-kisser formed in her mind. She remembered the days following her parents’ funeral and how everyone had offered her sympathy with fake smiles on their faces. She gestured for him to sit. “No need for pleasantries, Kincaid. My father trusted you, so I trust you. I know you don’t approve of my lifestyle, and honestly, I’m fine with that, but you are my legal counsel, and that’s why you’re here.” She leaned back in the leather chair and tried to soak up any remaining confidence that her dad might have left behind to deal with this