Determined: To Win (Determined Trilogy Book 3) (14 page)

“Sorry about that.” He looked down at the bag. “Get something nice for yourself?”

“Technically, it’s for my boyfriend,” I whispered as we walked out the shop.

“Hmm. Lucky boyfriend.”

We hit up a few more shops until Elliot couldn’t handle any more bags. We were on our way back to the car to drop off the packages when we passed by Tiffany.

“Hey, let’s go in here,” David said, pulling me inside.

Tiffany’s?
I eyed David carefully before examining my surroundings. I had never been in a high-end jewelry shop before. Never had a need. Save for the diamond studs David got me for Christmas, most of my jewelry was from mall stores. Tiffany’s was huge, two stories of glass cases with glittering trinkets inside them. An eager sales person approached us immediately.

“Good afternoon. Is there anything I can help you find?”

“Just browsing,” David said dismissively. I could tell he wanted to be alone.

We looked over the cases. They were filled with traditional jewelry and also strange little opulent keepsakes. A diamond encrusted flask. A sterling silver pill case. The wealthy really needed excuses to spend their money, it seemed.

Somehow we ended up at the ring case. David looked down at it, clearly lost in thought. My breath hitched as I realized which rings he was staring at. I didn’t dare say anything.

“What do you think?” he asked finally.

I paused, my heart racing. I looked down at the case and then back up at him. What was he asking, exactly? And if it was what I thought he was asking, this all felt very spur of the moment, very casual. Was he serious?
Calm down, Sharp. Don’t be specific. Let him do the talking.

“Uh, about what?” I said finally, trying to keep my voice calm even though something deep inside me wanted to scream.

David didn’t look up. “Do you like any of these?” he said, his voice unwavering.

I glanced down at the glass again. His eyes were trained on some of the largest engagement rings in the case. I didn’t even want to think about how much they cost. A security guard stood nearby, but didn’t move as I pulled in for a closer look.

“Uh, I guess that one is nice,” I said, pointing at a cushion-cut ring towards the back of the case. To be honest, I wasn’t crazy about many of them, they were too cookie-cutter. “That one is the most unique.”

“Mmm. Yes,” David murmured.

I started to feel stupid standing there. I mean, what if a salesperson came over and started to ask if we were engaged? What was I supposed to say? I pulled on David’s sleeve.

“Hey, Chief?” He turned and gave me a soft smile. “I’m not sure … I mean, I uh appreciate…”

He cut in. “So which one do you think Julie might like?”

What? Julie? His dad’s wife? My face fell, and I started to ask “Uh, Julie? But…”

“It’s her birthday this weekend. Dad asked if we could go up and have dinner with them. I know she likes this store. What do you think? A ring? Something else?”

Her birthday?
Jesus.
I exhaled a mix of relief and disappointment. I didn’t want David to think I was eager for a ring or an engagement. I mean, I loved him, but we had just moved in together. I didn’t want to frighten him away by asking for another commitment so quickly. Besides, did I even want to marry David? I knew the answer deep down but wasn’t ready to admit it out loud quite yet. I tried to move my thoughts to Julie, but my heart was still racing. I tried to disguise my confusion with a smile.

“Oh, well, these are more like engagement rings. She might like something she can wear every day. Maybe like the ones over here.” I gestured to the case to my right. “You could get her a plain silver ring like this, or one with a garnet in it, since she’s a January baby.”

“January?”

“Garnet is the birthstone for folks born in January.”

“Ah. Very thoughtful, Ms. Sharp.” He beckoned to a sales associate. “Could we try on a couple of these garnet rings, please?”

I played hand model, trying on several rings and other garnet festooned jewelry pieces before settling on an elegant gold and garnet bracelet. The sales associate wrapped it up in a tiny blue box and David popped it into his coat pocket as we walked out of the store.

“Where to next, Chief?”

“Hungry?”

“You know me so well. Hey, I know where we could go,” I said, grinning.

“I think I need to see what is eliciting such a smile. Lead the way,” he said, stepping out of my way.

I took David over to Neiman’s, and we rode the elevator up to the top floor. The Rotunda restaurant overlooks Union Square, and the ceiling is crowned with an elegant stained glass dome. I approached the hostess.

“Two for lunch or tea?”

“Tea, please,” I replied. I looked over at David, and he raised an eyebrow at me as we followed the hostess to our table.

“Tea?” David said as he sat down. “I thought you said you were hungry.”

“This isn’t any tea. Here, look.” I pointed to the menu.

Dammann Frères loose leaf teas paired

House-made sweets

Petite cookies

Selection of tarts

Finger sandwiches

Scones with preserves and cream

David cocked his head at me. “It’s mostly women here,” he noted, looking around the restaurant.

“Is that going to be a problem? Just trust me, it’s awesome.” Our server came over. “We will both have the Royal Tea,” I said, ordering the most extensive option, which came with high-end champagne. David said nothing, and just nodded, clearly amused at how much fun I was having.

When the food arrived, David’s eyes widened as the waiter set the tiered stand in front of us. I could tell he was surprised. The towers of goodies before us were obscenely decadent. We slowly made our way through them, until all that was left was crumbs.

“Okay. You were right. That was great. How did you know about it?” David asked as he sat back in his chair. It was fun to see him indulge. He was usually so health conscious.

“My mom and grandma brought me here one year, after we saw the Nutcracker.”

“It made quite the impression?”

“It did.” I smiled at the memory. “Thanks for hanging out today. This is nice.” Aside from our time in bed, I couldn’t remember the last time we’d spent so many hours together.

“It is,” he sighed, looking off to the side. I followed his sightline. It landed on a young mother seated with her son. He couldn’t have been more than three or four. I looked back at David. His face cooled. Whatever joy was there a minute ago had been gently wiped away.

“You miss them. Don’t you?”

He looked back at me, his eyes hollow. “Yes. Every day.” Then he sat up straight in his chair. “Shall we get the check?”

I looked back at him, frustrated at his ability to turn on a dime.

“
David…,
”

He looked up at me, quizzically.

“Don’t you want to talk about it?”

“About what?”

“What’s bothering you,” I said, hoping he got the hint.
Come on, David. Let me in.
We had gotten so close the night before the gala.

David exhaled. “I don’t want to burden you, Samantha. It’s not fair.”

“It’s not a burden. Please. Tell me what is bothering you.”

He looked off to the crowd in the restaurant. “Just everything with Brian.”

Brian. Of course. God forbid we get into a meaningful discussion about his childhood. But I wasn’t going to make a scene. We had had a nice morning. I sighed. “Are they close to catching him yet?”

He took a sip of water before answering. “Yes and no.”

I reached across the table and took his hand. “David, you can tell me. I mean, you were just saying how we need to trust each other, right? Tell me what’s going on, and I can support you. I
want
to support you. Let me.”

David looked back at me, his jaw tightening. Now there was nervousness or …
something
in his eyes. He sighed and leaned in toward me, cupping my jaw with his hand.

“You know, you shouldn’t have to be dealing with any of this. You’re young, you’re beautiful. You should be—”

“Doesn’t matter.”

He looked up at me and paused a beat, finally nodding and forcing a thin, tight smile. We sat for a moment in silence, the rest of the restaurant buzzing around us, until the quiet was broken by his phone.

“But that. That thing I could do without,” I said as he picked up. He made an apologetic face and threw down his credit card as he went to take the call outside. I motioned to the wait staff for the bill, and handed them the credit card.

I checked my phone while I was waiting. I had an email from Curtis’s sister with details about the memorial service. It was going to be tomorrow at three. I swallowed, the fun diversion of the morning now completely given over to my memories of Curtis. I took a deep breath and put my phone away. I was determined not to become a mess after having such a nice morning. I distracted myself with people watching, and had just signed the receipt when he returned.

“Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay. I gave them a hefty tip as punishment.”

He chuckled and refocused on me. His face looked re-invigorated and fresh. Whatever that call was about, it sure perked him right up.

“So, I have good news,” he said, sitting up straight in his chair. “So, you know how you were saying you wanted to know what was going on with Brian?”

“Yes,” I said slowly, cocking my head to the side.

“Well, the security team thinks it’s the right time to bring you in to the plan. We’ll meet with them tonight.”

Wow. That was quick. “What plan?”

“We’ll go over that tonight.”

I raised my eyebrow at him but agreed. “Okay, sure, at the house?”

“Yep.”

“Oh, and Curtis’s service is tomorrow at three. Are you able to come?”

David’s face fell. “Oh, baby, I wish I could but…”

“Forget it,” I snapped. It probably wasn’t fair, given that he’d just spent the morning with me, but I wasn’t in the mood to hear another excuse about work. David’s face registered my anger, and I took a deep breath to calm myself. “Sorry, everything with Curtis, it’s been draining. I think I’m tired.”

David’s eyes softened and he reached out and took my hands in his. “Of course. That’s completely understandable. Come on, let’s get you home.”

At the house, I took a nap, trying to make up for the sleep I’d lost the night before. It was dark when I came to. I checked my phone. Six o’clock. Jesus. So much for the day. I felt a twinge of guilt that I hadn’t done any work for Gina and promised to make it up the next day. I rolled out of bed, I had fallen asleep fully dressed, so I only had to make a quick detour in the bathroom to brush my teeth before heading down the hall to look for David.

The door of his office was closed, and as I approached it, I heard a group of people laugh.
Shit, David must already be with the security team.
I rapped lightly on the door, hoping I wasn’t too late. The voices died down and then the door opened. David was standing there with the two FBI agents and the detective from the night before, as well as Elliot, Thomas, and Cooper.

“Samantha, great timing. Come on in.” David gestured to me. “You remember Agent Williams and Agent Callaghan.”

“Agents.” I nodded hello.

“Come on in and sit down. We were just discussing the plan for tomorrow.” Agent Williams tilted a chair toward me, and I took a seat.

Agent Williams started. “David tells me you will be at the memorial service for Mr. Kinsler tomorrow afternoon.”

I bobbed my head. “Yes.”

“Well Sam, we have reason to believe that Brian may make an appearance at the service tomorrow.” I looked at her, confused. “It’s common for perpetrators to visit the services of those they attack. It’s often to appease their minds, to verify that the person they killed is actually dead.”

“Isn’t he too smart to do something like that?” I asked.

Callaghan cut in. “Maybe. But maybe not. Either way, we want to be ready.”

I shot David a skeptical look before turning back to Callaghan. “Okay, so what am I supposed to do? I don’t even know what he looks like.”

Williams ruffled through a file and pulled out a glossy eight by ten and handed it to me. “This is the most recent photo we have. It’s a year old, but it should be pretty accurate.”

I peered down at the photo, searching for something familiar. But there was nothing there. The guy was Joe Stranger to me. He wasn’t even all that distinctive looking. Plain. Average. Dirty blond hair and fair skin. He looked like a nerd. Not someone who warranted an investigation from the FBI. Not someone who was a killer.

Agent Williams must have been reading my mind. “He might look harmless Sam, but remember, this guy is angry. He’s holding onto his company with everything he’s got, and has already proven he’s willing to kill in order to keep it. If he is at the service, we need to take advantage of it.”

I looked over to David for direction. He nodded ever so slightly. “Okay, but what do I do if he approaches me?” I asked.

“It depends. No matter what, David has given us strict orders to keep you safe. One of our plainclothes agents will come and intercept you. We could just pick him up on sight, but our case would be much stronger if we can get him on tape, admitting to the crimes.”

“How do you plan on doing that?” I asked.

“That’s where you come in,” answered agent Callaghan. “You’ll need to wear a wire. And we’d like you to engage him in conversation, if you can.”

I swallowed. The idea of talking with this maniac was not appealing. “But what am I supposed to say? ‘Hey, did you kill my boss’?”

“No, just let him take the lead. We don’t want to provoke him.”

I looked over at David. This was crazy. A wire? This wasn’t the movies, this was my life. What if they found it? I’ve never been a good liar—I’d probably start turning red and give away the whole plan. And then what?

David cut in, sensing my panic. “Samantha, we will have agents all around you to make sure nothing happens.”

I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to center myself. “Okay, but what if he isn’t at the service? Then what?”