Page 125 of Noel Secrets

“No problem.”

They ate in silence for several minutes before she brought up the case. “Have you found anything?”

“Not much,” he admitted. “It does look as if your ex-husband might be in bed with some bad people. Sheriff Malone sent over some information about a gambling ring operating in the area. If your ex-husband got himself involved with these men, he could be in deep. They’re backed by a powerful broker.” He pulled out his phone and opened a photo Malone had sent him of Lazlo Parker.

“Do you know this man?”

She eyed the image then shook her head. “I’ve never seen him before. Who is he?”

“Lazlo Parker. It’s doubtful he’s had any contact with your ex, but a network of men work for him. It’s possible Brent owes money to one of them. Sheriff Malone is getting your ex’s financial records. He’ll send them to me after he reviews them.”

She picked at her food. “I doubt you’ll find anything meaningful.”

“You might be surprised. Still, we have to look.”

She nodded then pushed away her food. “You might not like this, but one of my employees called and said she can’t come in tomorrow. I covered all her houses except one. I’ll have to clean it myself. I know it’s inconvenient, but it’s too close to Christmas to cancel on a client.”

He held up his hand to halt her justification. “It’s not a problem. We need you to continue your normal daily routines. It’ll lure the killer into thinking your guard is down.”

“I can’t bring a stranger into their house with me.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll follow behind you and park on the street. I’ll keep a watch out for trouble. And I know how to be discreet.”

“Ican’t afford to lose another client.”

Once they’d finished eating, they cleaned up then she went to check on the dogs while Clay did another check of the house and walked the perimeter.

In mid-yawn, she went back inside ahead of him. She tried to laugh off her fear, but he saw the toll the day had taken.

“You’ve had a long day. Why don’t you turn in? I’ll take the couch, and if anything happens, I’ll hear.”

She brought him a blanket and pillow then hurried back to her room. He tossed them on the sofa. It wasn’t the worst place he’d ever slept, but he didn’t expect to get much sleep tonight. Not with his attention on high alert.

Morton and Winters might be dead. But the person who’d hired them was still out there, and more threats still loomed.

Darby awoke to the sharp aroma of coffee and the comforting crackle of bacon. Her eyes fluttered open as her stomach grumbled. For a moment, she justbreathed it in, forgetting all that had happened to her. Then, it all came rushing back.

She pulled on her robe then hurried barefoot toward the kitchen.

Clay stood at the stove, sleeves rolled, fork in one hand, bowl in the other, scrambling eggs as if he belonged there. Her tiny kitchen somehow looked smaller with him in it. Warmer, too.

“Morning. I hope you’re hungry,” he said, glancing over his shoulder, his smile making her chest flutter.

She tried not to stare. He’d showered, changed, and now smelled like cedar and clean soap. Like strength and safety and something she didn’t want to want. She slid past him to the table, snatched a strip of bacon, tore a piece off then popped it into her mouth, if only to avoid blurting something stupid. But she was hungry too.

Clay chuckled then joined her at the table, scooping eggs onto her plate and then his own. They ate in quiet rhythm, the kind of easy silence she’d never had with anyone else. Having Clay across from her, sleeves pushed up, jaw flexing as he ate felt disarmingly … normal.

She almost forgot someone had tried to kill her yesterday.

Almost.

After breakfast, Darby slipped into jeans and a hoodie and headed outside to take care of the dogs while Clay followed without a word, his presence a steady shadow behind her. He stood by his truck, scanning the neighborhood, a quiet sentinel.

She loaded cleaning supplies into her van then climbed in and headed across town. A quick glance in her rearview confirmed Clay following in his truck. Knowing he was there soothed the tight knot in her gut. She didn’t want to admit how shaken she still felt.

The Holmes family lived on the far side of town in a manicured cul-de-sac. Darby parked in their empty driveway,noting the absence of both cars. Good. She preferred working alone. She had a key and the alarm codes for just such occasions. Still, she shot Mia Holmes a text to confirm she was there before unlocking the back door and stepping inside.

Bandit, their Yorkie, barked once and then, recognizing her, flopped into his usual chair with a huff. While Trudy was their regular housekeeper these days, Darby had only recently turned it over to her employee. Before that, Darby had regularly cleaned the house herself, and Bandit still recognized her. She keyed in the alarm information then got to work.