Page 36 of Deadline

“It got your attention today, didn’t it?”

He smiled with chagrin. “Ah, you got me with that one.”

“We’ve exhausted the subject anyway. Good-bye.”

“Where did Jeremy work?”

The abrupt switch of subject threw her off.

He said, “You testified that you’d called his workplace. Where was he working?”

“Your flea-on-a-single-hair lady came up empty?”

“Easier just to ask you.”

Seeing no reason to withhold the information, she cited the name of the construction firm. “They specialize in commercial buildings. Large facilities. Schools, factories, medical complexes. Jeremy was one of their electrical engineers.”

“Okay.”

“He was very good at it,” she said, hating herself for sounding defensive.

“How did he get to that from sniper training for the Marines?”

“So, you have done your research.”

“Some. I’m still in the process.”

“Jeremy held a degree in that field. After leaving the corps, he applied for a position with the firm, met the qualifications, and—”

“Congressman Nolan called in a favor.”

She stiffened her spine.

“Okay, that was a cheap shot.”

“You’re damn right it was. Good-bye.”

“Just one more thing.”

“I don’t think so.”

“This isn’t even a question.”

“They’re waiting for me in the car, Mr. Scott.”

“Check under your front doormat.”

“What?”

“I left something there for you.”

“Under the doormat?”

“The photographs.”

“Oh, the photographs. How cavalier.” She gave him a drop-dead look. “You could replace them with a keystroke on your laptop. Or just take more.”

“I won’t. I promise. I know they made you uncomfortable.”