Page 59 of Deadly Force

Shifting in the uncomfortable chair, I tune out the sounds of muffled voices and the distant squeak of rubber soles on tile.

I can't get the words out of my mind.

Anticipating me.

This isn't some faceless threat—this is someone I've spoken to. Someone who slashed my tires, waited, then twice drove by and tried to murder me in the street.

My head feels scrambled, too many conflicting thoughts and emotions crashing together.

I flip a few pages. The weight of what I’m missing settles heavy in my stomach. I smooth myhair back, fingers catching on a tangle that won't come loose.

"This doesn't make sense," I say. "Eliza said she had inside information on Sonora Investments. I thought she had evidence of corporate fraud. There’s nothing here. It’s like she stuffed the file with her study notes and used Sonora’s letterhead."

Caleb leans in close and looks over the page I’m studying. "Maybe she used Sonora to get your attention?"

Samantha seems to have another theory. "Maybe she was testing you? I know I would have. Waited to see if you were trustworthy.”

I chew on my lip so hard I taste blood. "I should go to the university."

Both of them look at me.

"I know the campus. If she told someone—an adviser, a classmate?—"

Samantha tosses her head. "You can't. You're too visible. If you walk in there now, they'll clam up."

"I can be discreet."

"No," she says, "You can't. But I can."

When I start to protest, she holds her hand up, stopping me.

"I'll pose as a prospective grad student. I'll ask around about Eliza's work, see if anyone remembers her talking about Sonora or her job there."

As if it’s already decided, Caleb shoots her a nod. "That’ll work. I’m waiting on an email from Delilah. Brooke can keep working through the file.”

Of all the nerve! This is my story! Eliza wasmyresponsibility. “People knowing me could?—”

Caleb levels me with a look. “If you go, I have to go. You really think anyone is going to talk with me around?”

Annoyance flickers through me, even though he has a point.

“You wanted a job… your job is to flag anything that jumps—names, dates, connections. I'll get it to Hightower and see if it crosses with anything they find," he says.

I wish I had a solid argument ready, but my protest vanishes when Caleb turns to Samantha, voice steady. "Reese tails you. No contact unless something's wrong."

"Understood." She grabs her coat. "I'll use my real name. Easier to keep the story straight."

Before she heads out, she looks at me. “Don’t worry. This is what I’m good at.”

I don’t doubt it. "Be careful," I say.

"You too."

She disappears into the hallway. The soft voices of nurses drift in before the door swings shut behind her.

Caleb stays facing the door, jaw tight, hands braced on the back of the chair. “She’s got this. She’s a natural.”

I don’t move. Heart thudding too loud, too fast.