Page 66 of Forty, Flirty & Framed

The yacht cuts through Elliott Bay, skyline gradually receding behind us.

We spend the next twenty minutes reviewing names, relationships, and potential suspects, settling into a professional rhythm that almost makes me forget the lingering awareness crackling between us.

Almost.

"What about Richard?"she asks suddenly.

My jaw tightens."What about him?"

"Could he be helping MacTavish remotely?He still had system access, you said."

"Possible," I admit."But from what I've gathered about his Iceland adventure, he's been too busy learning the finer points of Nordic knitting to orchestrate corporate espionage."

Her lips twitch."Yarn-based alibis aside, we should consider all possibilities."

"Fair point."I study her face, searching for any sign that mentioning my brother causes her pain."Does it bother you?Talking about him?"

She considers this, head tilted."Not as much as it probably should.Is that terrible?"

"Not from where I'm sitting."

The double meaning hangs between us for a moment before she clears her throat.

"So," she says briskly, "what's our cover story for tonight?Besides the official 'checking out the competition' angle?"

"I thought we'd go with the truth.I'm investigating who's leaking information to MacTavish, and you're helping me."

"Hiding in plain sight," she nods."Bold strategy."

"The best deceptions contain elements of truth," I say, then immediately regret it when her expression flickers with something like guilt.

The yacht slows as we approach a massive waterfront property lit up like Christmas against the darkening sky.

Strains of classical music drift across the water, mingling with bursts of affluent laughter.

"Looks like the party's already started," Karina murmurs, rising to join me at the railing.

"Duncan always did enjoy making an entrance.”I nod toward the dock where a uniformed attendant waits to secure our mooring lines.

As Craig navigates us into position, Karina turns to me, suddenly serious."Whatever happens in there—whatever we discover—we're in this together, right?"

"Absolutely," I say, meaning it more than I expected to."Partners in corporate espionage."

She grins."I think that should go on my resume."

"Let's see if we survive tonight first."

We disembark, Craig confirming he'll wait with the yacht for our return.

The path to MacTavish's sprawling estate is lined with tasteful solar lanterns that illuminate without detracting from the emerging stars above.

Karina's hand finds the crook of my arm as we walk."Ready to face the enemy?"she asks.

"Born ready."

She narrows her eyes."You rehearsed that line, didn't you?"

"I practiced several options.That tested best with focus groups."