Page 108 of Unseen Danger

He released her hand, but it took her a second to let go of his. He glanced at her face, but she was looking at Phoenix. Had he imagined her lingering touch?

You’re here to help, not flirt. The self-admonishment came just in time to clear any strange emotion from his face before he found himself the subject of a Phoenix stare.

The woman had the most fascinating lack of expression on her face and even in her eyes. But what was always there was the confidence he’d noticed from the first time they’d talked over the phone.

Something about her silent gaze made him turn his thoughts inward, as if he had to search his conscience. Had she noticed he was enjoying the close contact with Nevaeh? Or that she may have held on to his hand longer than required?

“Did you see anything on the security footage from last night?” Phoenix’s question made him want to let out a relieved breath.

But he released the air a bit at a time instead as he brought his mind to the unexpected topic. “No. Nothing unusual. D-Chop had a girlfriend with him by the pool late. He likes privacy for that, so no one was with him. But Travis was observing on the monitors as needed. I’m checking into D-Chop’s guest. He had just picked her up that evening. Some friend of a friend.”

“Could’ve been paid by someone or have a personal connection.”

“True.” He nodded. “I can look into her.”

“Give me her name, and we’ll do that.”

“Sounds good.” He wasn’t about to argue with Phoenix Gray. He’d already deduced she had more extensive connections for investigating people than he did. And something about her told him it wouldn’t be a good idea to oppose her on anything unless absolutely necessary.

“D-Chop agreed to have the police lab analyze the note, so we could get a lead there.” Branson ran his hand over his hair as he glanced at Nevaeh.

She’d seemed nervous when they’d started this training session. She had stiffened under his touch and darted him frightened glances. But after only a few minutes, she’d relaxed, and the trust that he felt all the way in his gut had replaced the fear in her eyes.

“How will the financial motivation affect your interviews?” Phoenix’s question reined in Branson’s wandering mind. But she was looking at Nevaeh this time.

Nevaeh watched her boss with an open, thoughtful expression. “I think the same suspects are still likely. Though maybe not the father of the boy who killed himself?”

Phoenix stared at Nevaeh for a silent moment. “He could internalize what he’s owed as having a monetary value, depending on his personality. He wants it paid. That could be the only way he sees that being accomplished.”

“I guess so.” Nevaeh pressed her full lips together. “But the location of the knife and note this time suggests an inside job, doesn’t it?” She shifted her gaze up to Branson. “You said Marsha went out there to serve food and drinks?”

“Yes. I still don’t think she would be involved in this, though. Peter went out while D-Chop was there and talked to him about something. Probably going over his schedule or giving him his messages.”

“What other staff members were still on the grounds after D-Chop returned to the house?” Phoenix aimed her question at Branson.

“Jaycee, the maid, stayed later than usual. She left at one fifteen a.m., shortly after D-Chop and his girlfriend came inside. She didn’t go to the patio after D-Chop was there unless she used a different route off camera. The girlfriend went back out by herself an hour and a half later. She lit a cigarette on camera and then stepped out of view. She went inside about ten minutes later.”

“You said the alcove isn’t covered by the camera, right?”

He nodded to Nevaeh. “Correct. The camera is primarily to cover the entry point to the house. And all of those people stepped out of the camera’s view at one time when they were back there.”

“I suppose this rules out the chef and the groundskeeper.” Nevaeh looked at Phoenix.

“Unless they were hired by someone only for some tasks or hired an accomplice themselves.” Phoenix jerked her thumb over her shoulder. “Go again.” Her abrupt topic change made Branson straighten as if Captain Killian had called him to attention. “This time, you’re on the mat.” She shifted her gaze to Branson. “You’re in mount.”

Nevaeh shot him a wide-eyed glance that did nothing to calm the surge of his pulse. This should be interesting. That mental—no, emotional—battle he was having? It was about to get much more intense.

She’d expected this. Nevaeh reminded herself of that over and over again as she lay with her back on the mat and waited for Branson to lower himself onto her.

And she’d already gotten over her nerves once. She’d thought it would be bad when Branson first touched her and took her in tight holds for the standing attacks. But instead of fear, Nevaeh had felt only attraction. Her only problem had been staying focused on defensive techniques instead of enjoying the contact.

But this was different.

Branson lowered above her, being so careful to touch her as little as possible, bracing his arms on either side of her torso.

The sweetness of his caution washed like a cooling wave over her nerves. This was Branson. He wasn’t going to hurt her.

And as his leg made contact with hers and the warmth of him charged the air around them, a much more pleasant reaction filtered through her system.