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“Terry’s office was soundproofed. He wanted absolute privacy in there for business.” She grabs my arm. “Nik, you tracked downyour father’s killer. You’re—you’re smart, and you know how these things work in the Family. Right?”

“I guess,” I say.

“So what do we do? How do we find out more information?”

I sigh. “We need to see the security footage from the corridors, see who was around at the right time. That’s our first move. And in the meantime, we should find out a little more about Sophie Johnson. What if she’s just a thief and not a killer? Hell, what if she’s completely innocent?”

Brie nods, biting at her lip. “You’re right,” she says at last. “Okay. I’ll have to somehow persuade Frank to hand over the security footage.”

“You can’t ask Frank,” I say firmly. “He’s one of our top suspects.”

She stares at me for a moment before closing her eyes and nodding. “I agree. But then how do we get the footage?”

“You go to the security room yourself and ask for it.”

Brie looks at me blankly. “I can’t just demand the security footage.”

I can’t help but snort. “Sure you can. You own this place now, don’t you?”

“I mean…I guess?”

“Besides, you won’t have todemand. Just flutter those fake eyelashes and ask them nicely.”

She considers this for a moment, then a slow smile spreads across her face. “I do have an inordinate amount of charm,” she says, with no modesty whatsoever. “Let’s give it a try.”

I like a woman with confidence.

You’re here to protect her, not fall for her, I scold myself as we head back out of her dressing room. But the thing is, she’s right.

Shedoeshave an inordinate amount of charm.

CHAPTER 13

Brie

I won’t haveto try hard with the man in the security office. I know it from the moment I walk in, watching him stare at me, open-mouthed. He’s astonished that I’m even talking to him.

“Hi,” I say, and smile. His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows, sends a quick glance around the room as if hoping his colleagues are seeing this. “I need the security footage of the backroom hallways from the night my husband was killed. Can you grab that for me real quick?”

He’s young, probably fresh out of college, with a nervous energy that makes him fidget in his chair. “Of course, Ms. Colombo, whatever you want. But, uh, Mr. Frank already reviewed them. They don’t show anything unusual.”

“Well, I’d still like to see for myself. Can you compile all the footage from that night and send it up to my suite on a flash drive?”

He hesitates. “You know, I…I’m not sure if I’m authorized to?—”

“You are now,” I cut him off with a wink. “How long will it take?”

“Uh, maybe a few hours,” he croaks. “Transferring files of that size to a?—”

“Send it up as soon as you’re done, please. And…” I lean down, making sure my cleavage is at his eye level. “Do me a favor? Keep it quiet.”

As we leave the security area, Nik is almost smirking. But I’m not in the mood to smirk. I need a distraction, something to clear my head and help me think.

“I need to unwind,” I tell Nik, massaging my temples. “I think better when I’m relaxed. Let’s head to the spa.”

“What about Sophie Johnson?”

I pause, considering. “If Sophie’s just skimming from the casino, that’s Family business. The Syndicate doesn’t need to be involved in that.” And neither does Nik, I remind myself, but she knows now. No point pretending she doesn’t.