Chapter 6

RPOV

I'd kept an eye on Steph's tracker surprised that she'd been in Point Pleasant for so long but was pleased to see that she was now back at her apartment, interesting that she wasn't at Morelli's house. I'd tried to catch up with her yesterday but she'd never stayed in one place long enough and there was no way I was going to go looking for her if she was with Morelli. Maybe now was the time to go see her, the distraction was for tomorrow so I needed to be sure that she was going to be okay doing it and that Morelli wouldn't be a reason for her to let us down. When I arrived at her building I checked out the car park to make sure Morelli wasn't here and then went up the stairs to her apartment. There was no noise coming from inside so I let myself in surprised when she was stood there waiting for me, did she see me drive into the car park? She looked flustered as though I had interrupted her but I continued to the fridge to take out a bottle of water. I grimaced internally at the lack of food in there, but maybe if she'd been away she wouldn't have had time to shop, or maybe if she were living with Morelli she wouldn't need to.

"Babe, how did you know I was here?"

"I just did"

I was aware of her watching me as I downed the contents of the bottle

"I have a distraction job on Friday evening if you're interested?"

"Yeah you know I'll help out"

"It's at a black tie event and the person we're after is a white collar guy but he he's been really hard to pin down"

"Why do you need me?"

"He has a team of body guards, doesn't like to get his hands dirty, but likes a variety of women"

"What's he wanted for?"

"He's an ex government worker who sold secrets to the highest bidder, he's one of the FBI's and he's been untraceable for nearly four months until now"

"Okay"

I watched fascinated as her mind drifted obviously thinking about something.

"Everything's organized and Ella has an outfit that will be suitable"

She didn't respond to me at all, was she even listening to me?

"Babe"

"What?"

"You didn't hear me did you?"

"Sorry"

"I said Ella has sorted out a dress for you"
"Shoes and bag?"

"I would expect she'll have everything for you"

As I pushed myself from the counter toward her she turned and went to collect her bag and coat from the couch. Shit, she was avoiding me, or at least avoiding being near me.

"I have to go I'm meeting up with a friend for lunch"

"I'll walk you out then. Be at Rangeman by 1600, 4pm Babe, and then you can read the file and get ready"

She headed for the stairs much my amusement; didn't she trust herself in the lift with me? Once outside I opened her car door and seeing her safely inside turned and headed for my car. As I drove I wondered who she was meeting, strange because if she had been meeting Morelli she would have just said so. She was up to something and I couldn't figure out what, I'd leave her to herself because if she didn't want me to know then she would make sure I didn't, tomorrow would be the time to unnerve her after the take down.