Page 8 of Tracing Her Stolen Identity (Secure Watch #2)

“I don’t believe that, Sky. Your reputation precedes you, which means anyone with a modicum of common sense will know you aren’t physically capable of causing that damage to the galleries.”

“I could have hired someone,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

“You could have, but let me ask you this. Did you have any beefs with the galleries that have been vandalized?” He grabbed a sheet of paper and read off the names.

“Absolutely not,” she said, shaking her head before he even finished reading them. “The Duluth one knows me well and would never believe I did it.”

“You’ve made my point then. All I’m asking is you have faith in me and Secure Watch. We’ll ensure your chances at a gallery show are still one hundred percent, okay?”

At her nod, Reece stood and walked to the computer console set up for precisely that purpose.

All he had to do was keep his eye on the prize and off the woman he was supposed to be helping.

Every minute that passed was another minute that Binate had control of her life, which meant Skylar had control of Reece’s.

While he dialed Secure Watch, he prayed they had gotten to the bottom of it, but one glance at Skylar told him that prayer would go unanswered.

* * *

“R EECE ,” M INA SAID when her face flashed on the screen. “Did you find everything you need?”

“We’re all good here,” Reece agreed. “We had some dinner and I checked the perimeter. How about the other cameras?”

“Everything is quiet, according to the control room.”

“Excellent, then official introductions are overdue. Mina Jacobs, this is Skylar Sullivan.”

“Nice to officially meet you,” Mina said as Skylar waved. “I’m glad we were able to help you out.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” Skylar said, nervously rubbing her hands on her thighs. “We’ve heard so much about you over the years. You’re like an FBI legend.”

Mina’s laughter filled the house, and Skylar noticed it lifted Reece’s lips for the first time all day. She was grateful to Mina for doing what she couldn’t do right now. “I don’t know about all that, but we’re here to help, right, Reece?”

Before Reece could answer, Skylar jumped in. “About that,” she said, lifting her chin. “I wasn’t thinking earlier when I called Reece. I was scared and didn’t know what to do, but I also didn’t think about the fact that you guys employ Reece or that I didn’t know how I was going to pa—”

“You’re not going to pay,” Mina said before she could finish.

“But, Mina, this house alone must need thousands to maintain every month. I can’t even imagine what it would cost for people like Reece to do what they do.”

Mina held up her hand to stop her. “The house is going to be there whether we use it or not, so it might as well be used, right?” She waited as though she expected an answer, so Skylar hesitantly nodded.

“Then we use it. Make yourself comfortable and don’t worry about the expense.

What it costs us will be nothing compared to what it could cost you. Am I clear?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Skylar agreed. There was no way she was crossing Mina Jacobs. Reece’s smirk told her he knew it.

“Now that we have that settled,” Reece said, still smirking, “do you have anything new? Skylar is worried about her parents.”

Mina pointed at the camera and grabbed something next to the computer. “I spoke with them a few minutes ago, and they’re awaiting your call. Once you speak to them, they will take a little vacation off the grid until this is squared away.”

“You think this person might go after my parents?”

“We have to assume they will,” she replied. “Whoever this is, they know you, which means they know the people close to you.”

“We’ll call them as soon as we hang up,” Reece said, reaching out to squeeze her hand. “What did the guys find at the duplex?”

“Nothing of much interest,” Mina said, looking at the notebook in her hand. “At least in terms of evidence. Iris is working with her phone right now.”

“Iris?” Skylar asked, glancing at Reece.

“She’s one of our data recovery agents,” Reece explained. “If anyone can figure out who sent that video and from where, it’s Iris.”

“In the meantime,” Mina said. “I want you to list anyone who could be behind this.”

“The list is going to be short,” Skylar said. “I don’t know that many people. Artists tend to live in their own little world.”

“That just means fewer people we have to check out,” Mina said with a wink.

“But seriously, I’m talking about listing anyone you have ever had a cross word with.

Did you have an issue with someone at the credit card company?

Did you argue over a cup of coffee in the Starbucks a few weeks ago?

Did you have a problem with a bank employee?

That kind of thing. If you don’t know their names, write down the companies or branches.

We can run those things down easily but need a place to start.

” Reece looked like he was about to say something when Mina held up her finger and spoke to someone off-screen.

“I have to go,” she said, glancing back to the screen. “Get me that list ASAP. Whiskey, out.”

Reece gave the screen a salute right before it went black. He spun toward her in the desk chair and lifted a brow. “First, we call your parents. Once that’s done, we need to talk about that list.”

Skylar nodded but didn’t say anything. She already knew who he thought should be at the top of it.