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Gray worked, he wrestled with his conscience. The case was coming along, but he needed to get into Anna’s apartment to plant those bugs. He needed time with Anna, too. Investigating her was his job.
    The problem was, she was already much more than that to him. He could develop feelings for this woman, might be already. All day he’d thought about whether he should call someone else in to take his place, but there just wasn’t time.
    Gray kept his eyes and ears open as he chopped. He closely watched the people on his hot list, which included three waiters, a couple of dishwashers, and one of the line cooks. He’d begun to take note of silent cues they gave one another. A nod here and there, or a hand signal. Sometimes a whispered word, so brief it would’ve gone totally unnoticed if Gray had been simply another coworker.
    Their body language differed from the everyday interaction among the staff. Their movements were too precise, too planned. At times it was like they were executing a well-choreographed dance. Gray had discovered that one of the waiters seemed to be a messenger. After a series of signals, he would either text or make a call from an alcove near the men’s restroom.
    Once the pattern emerged, Gray was surprised and impressed by how very simple and effective their operation was. If Gray and Simon hadn’t traced a mob boss’s key associate to Floor Fifty-Five, the setup could’ve operated for years without attracting attention.
    Now he had to figure out where the cocaine was being stored and how they were moving it through the restaurant and out to their buyers. He had a theory, but no proof. Yet.
    When his shift ended, he headed for Anna’s office. Through her half-open door he observed her unnoticed for a minute. Sitting at her desk, the gorgeous brunette was leaning over some papers, frowning as if she’d rather be anywhere else. He could fix that.
    â€œReady to quit?”
    Straightening, she brushed her hair back from her face, but the long tresses tumbled down again, falling well past her shoulders. Big brown eyes were raised to his, the fatigue vanishing to be replaced by happiness the second she saw him.
    â€œI am
so
ready. Let me shut down.”
    Closing out of the program on her laptop, she took it and locked it in a cabinet behind her desk. Gray made a mental note to get to the computer one night soon, after closing, and download the information from the hard drive.
    After tidying the papers and grabbing her purse, she faced him. “Ready.”
    Walking out with her, he wondered if anyone would comment about his accompanying her. Ethan shot him a scowl, but everyone else went about their business. As they stepped into the elevator, he decided to probe her past a bit.
    â€œYou mentioned your mother coming to visit. What about your dad?”
    Sadness shadowed her expression. “Dad passed away several years ago. My mom was heartbroken and has never remarried, though she’s had men interested. She’s still a good-looking woman at sixty-one.”
    â€œGood genes must run in the family.”
    She returned his smile. “Thanks. Same with yours.” Before he could reply, she asked, “What about your parents? Do they live in New York?”
    Bittersweet memories assailed him, and a touch of regret. “No. They were from Alabama. Mom died of an aneurism four years ago, and Dad last year of a heart attack.”
    â€œI’m so sorry.”
    â€œMe too. My dad and I had been at odds for the past several years, and I never got the chance to make things right.”
    As they stepped out of the elevator, she surprised him by linking their fingers. It might’ve been nothing more than a gesture of comfort, but he liked her small, soft hand in his much bigger one. She called good night to the night watchman, and they strolled into the evening.
    â€œAre you hungry?” he asked.
    â€œI could eat. You must be starving after