Page 35 of Sam's Salvation

Kissing her this morning had been a mistake. He should have waited. His body wanted him to do something about his feelings, but she wasn’t in any shape for that. It would be pure torture for the next couple of weeks, at least. And it was all dependent on whether she felt the same way. He knew he affected her, but it was her decision on whether they would act on it. He wouldn’t pressure her.

Personally, he was in a place where he was ready for a relationship. He’d watched several of his closest friends fall in love lately. It had set off a yearning for the same kind of commitment. But he wasn’t sure she was in the same place. That hadn’t stopped him from declaring his intentions, though. Of all the times for his brain block to disappear, it had to pick that one. But he wouldn’t take the words back. He’d meant what he’d said. Life was too short to let the good things go.

A soft knock on the door drew his attention. He clicked the button on his phone to turn off his screen and stood up, eager for a distraction. Dean and Max were here.

He checked the peephole to make sure it was them, then opened the door. “Hey, guys.” Sam stepped back so they could enter.

“Hey.” Dean grinned and walked in. Max said hello and followed. Sam closed the door, then trailed them from the entryway. They had stopped in front of the TV and faced the beds.

“Guys, this is Audra Ridley. Aud, Dean Adler and Max Carson.” He pointed to each man as he said his name.

She smiled and lifted a hand. “Hello. Thank you for coming.”

“Not a problem, ma’am,” Max said. “It’s kinda what we do.”

“I appreciate it. And you don’t need to call me ma’am. Audra will do.” She wrinkled her nose and gave them a crooked smile. “Ma’am makes me feel like one of my primary school teachers. I’d rather not think about those dour-faced old biddies.”

“No one could ever call you old or dour-faced.” Max offered her a toothy smile, his blue eyes shining. The dimple in his cheek popped. He glanced at Sam. “Where did you find this one? And why didn’t we know about her until now?”

“Long story.”

“Yes,” Audra said. “And one that isn’t really relevant to why you’re here.”

Dean let out a low whistle and poked Max in the arm. “She shut you down good.”

Max sent him a quick glare.

Sam decided to intervene before they escalated their banter any further. “How about we get to work? Have you two checked in?”

“Yes,” Dean said. “We’re just down the hall.”

“What have you got?” Max asked. His flirty expression turned all business.

“A lot of paperwork.” Audra turned her laptop around. “Most of what was on Liam’s computer was for his legit businesses. There is one file, though…” She spun the computer around and clicked the screen several times before turning it back. “I found a folder full of images of myself.”

Dean nodded. “Asher mentioned that. We haven’t seen them, though.”

She pushed the laptop toward him. “Have a look.”

He walked forward and took the computer, then sat down on the other bed. Max sat next to him.

“Do you know when these were taken?” Max asked.

“Most of them. It was over a series of a few months.”

“Did you establish a timeline for the photos?” Dean asked.

“They’re pretty much in chronological order. Why?”

“It could tell us about the photographer’s movements. If they’re all at a particular time of day, it could mean he has a job or some other commitment.”

“They’re all over the place. I didn’t really notice any pattern. I’m just thankful none of them show me meeting with Theo. They all seem fairly innocuous. It’s pictures of me at home. A few of me shopping. Some at Byrne’s and a few other restaurants.”

“Except this one.” Max’s eyebrows rose. “Clicking away. Sorry.”

Sam’s mouth flattened. He knew which one Max meant and was thankful his friend didn’t linger. No one except him needed to see Audra dressed like that.

“They got lucky. I don’t often parade around in front of open windows in my knickers.”