Redemption Read Online Free PDF Page B

she might be willing to do the same personally.
    He prayed she would. He’d fallen hard for Jamie but he’d blown it. And time had not healed his heart. He’d called in every favor to get assigned with her again. With God’s help, he and Jamie would bring Andrew Zinkleman back to his mother. And maybe he could heal his broken heart and be with the woman he loved. Enrique turned off the car and stepped out into the brutal heat. A moment later, he knocked on the door of 114.
    “That was certainly quick.” Jamie gave him a suspicious look as she opened the door.
    “I followed the bus and you.” He shrugged. “Just doing my job, ma’am.”
    “I should have known.”
    “Why are you staying in a dump like this?”
    “Well, I could say because I’m paying for it with my own money, but the truth is when I play a character, I play it all the way.”
    “Oh, a method actor. I see.”
    “I suppose you could call me that.”
    “Well, you got what you needed at the Zinklemans’, so can we move to a slightly nicer hotel? Or are you going back to Suzanne’s?”
    “We are not moving anywhere together. And no, I’m not going back to Zink’s. She’s out of the loop for now. I can’t have her interfering with my investigation. She’s too emotionally involved. If I need her I’ll call.”
    “That makes sense. Speaking of emotionally involved maybe we should clear the air.”
    “Not going to happen.”
    “Jamie, we need to—”
    “We need to what, Ricky? Talk it out. Have a heart-to-heart? Lay our souls bare? I don’t think so. You made it very clear to me the last time what you thought of me.”
    He hadn’t meant the words yelled out in anger. “Jamie, I didn’t mean—.”
    “Why not? They were true. You were right. What I did was disgusting—I agree with you.”
    “Well, I don’t agree with you. You are an amazing and brave woman whom I admire more than you can imagine.”
    Her eyes grew wide and tiny diamonds glistened in them. For a moment he thought she was ready to listen, but the moment dissolved as she turned. He touched her shoulder.
    She shrugged his hand away, and then whirled back. “There is nothing to discuss. I’m a professional and so are you. Let’s work this case so we can both get back to our own lives. Our separate lives.”
    It was true; words could never be taken back. But it was not the time to argue. It was early in the game.
    At least, he was on the playing field and he knew his goal. The heart of Jamie Jakowski.
     
     
     
     
     

7
     
    Jamie paced around Enrique’s hotel room as he set up his netbook. They’d moved to a better hotel. A part of her had wanted to argue with him, but he was right.
    “Almost ready to rock and roll. Make sure you turn your back so you don’t see my password.” Enrique’s smile was seductive.
    “Very funny.”
    “I’m just saying. You can’t be too security-conscious these days. You may not know it, but there are lots of bad guys out there.”
    Refusing to flirt back, she simply stared hoping he’d take the hint. Why had she ever agreed to work with him? Of course, it didn’t look as if she had much choice. He would follow her around whether she liked it or not. Still, the less she had to do with him the better. And she wished he’d stop being so charming. Or so handsome. “Just get on with it, Ricky.”
    “Yes, ma’am. Let’s see what we can find out about Ryan Mattson.” After a mock salute, he typed the name into the criminal database. A list popped up on the screen.
    She scooted the spare chair over to the desk for a better look.
    Enrique’s breath warmed her ear as he whispered. “I knew you couldn’t resist me.”
    “Think again.” Moving her chair an inch away, she pointed at the screen. “So which one is our Ryan Mattson?”
    Their Ryan was the fourth one on the list.
    Enrique moved the cursor to a name. “That must be him. It says his birth place is Columbus, Ohio.”
    “And he attended the same high school as