Page 101 of Gem Warfare

“Hey, Rachenstein’s representatives emailed to confirm they’re coming by in a couple days. Why don’t you meet with them too?” he said. “They’re bringing their own expert.”

“Are you trying to cheer me up?” I asked.

“Yes. I didn’t mean to sound like I thought you were making things up. I just know that sometimes I start seeing things that aren’t there when I’m worn down by a case. Finding that tracker got us both extra jumpy. We need a good night’s sleep and we can talk about our next steps tomorrow.”

“Okay,” I agreed. While Garrett had answered calls, I’d been pondering the man on the motorcycle who’d tampered with our tires and the name I kept returning to was Gideon Black. Ithadto be him. But why? Why did he want to delay us returning to town? Or did he simply want us to back off? Surely, he knew that wouldn’t happen. And why was he tracking us? It didn’t make sense.

“I’m going to get the IT guys to take a look at the tracker when the car is brought in and see if they can give us any information about where it’s from or who planted it.”

“Let me know if anything comes of it?”

“Will do but don’t get your hopes up. Night, Lexi.”

“Night, Garrett.”

I headed outside, saying hi to two uncles and a cousin, and three guys from my high school graduating class on the way. Outside, Maddox’s vehicle was gone and Solomon hadn’t arrived.

A movement at the edge of the building caught my eye and my jaw almost dropped open.

The man standing there was full of audacity.

Ben Rafferty.

Tom Benedict.

Joe Smithson Junior.

Gideon Black.

He was looking directly at me. His hands in his jeans pockets, his linen shirt open at the neck and sleeves rolled to the elbows, as casual as if he’d caught sight of an old friend while taking a stroll. His dark brown hair was a little longer and he had a few days of beard growth, but trimmed stylishly. I’d recognize him anywhere and I definitely wasn’t hallucinating.

Why had that small movement in the corner of my eye stopped me? No, it wasn’t because he was moving. It could only be because he was the only personnotmoving, while officers and other pedestrians moved around him.

It was like he was invisible to everyone except me.

For a moment, I was rooted to the spot. Then I stepped towards him.

Gideon stepped back.

I took another step and he turned, glancing behind him with a smile, ensuring I was watching, and walked around the side of the building.

I took off at a run, scared I would lose him but when I reached the edge of the building, there he was again. Waiting.

Waiting for me.

He waited until I began to walk towards him, then turned and speed-walked.

By the time I caught up with him, he was rounding the corner of the parking lot for police vehicles, this side walled from the street.

“Ben?” I called out, wondering if he’d respond. How long had it been since he’d used that name?

He stopped and turned.

“Hello, Lexi,” he said, his face even more charming now he smiled. His brown eyes were just as mesmerizing as I remembered. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Ben. Or should I call you Gideon?”

If he were surprised I knew his real name, he didn’t show it as he stepped closer, closing the gap between us. “Either is fine. Ben if you prefer since that’s how you know me best.”