Cobb (Lighthouse Security Investigations #9) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,13

I tried.”

Clay’s eyes widened. “Shit.”

“Nothing happened. She shot me down.” Seeing the continued wide-eyed stares, he groused, “I just asked if she wanted to go for a drink and intimated that more could be on the table. She said I wasn’t her type.”

Tate sputtered from the sip he’d just taken, breaking the moment with his coughing. Finally gaining control, he stared. “Not her type. Did she say what her type was?”

“Truthfully? I figured she meant my heritage or that she assumed I was just a hired bodyguard who was there working. Neither supposition sat very well with me, so I said good night and left. Since then, I’ve thought it over and felt like I owed her an apology. I left abruptly, so it did make me look like an ass.”

“What about now? Do you feel like you can work with her?” Levi asked.

“I can’t imagine that you were happy with every FBI assignment or mission you were given, but you did your best. Same with me. I have no problem working with her but realize she may not be overly keen to work with me. Her father’s the one hiring us, and I want to make sure she’s safe.”

Cutting straight to the mission, Clay asked, “Have you learned anything?”

He finished his beer and leaned forward, placing it on the coffee table. Staring out the window for a moment at the peaceful scene of green trees and blue water, he sighed. “She’s an enigma, that’s for sure. Public school upbringing, then she left New Mexico to attend university in Boston. Four years later, she attended graduate school in New Mexico. Social worker. Works in a clinic in Las Cruces and makes a very modest salary. Seems to live off her own money, but then…”

The others looked at him when he paused, and he hated the blush that he knew was coloring his tanned face.

“So, she’s not a rich daddy’s little girl?” Clay prodded again, already grinning. “And that’s exactly what you expected when you met her at your dad’s big-ass event.”

“Fuck you.” He slumped deeper into the sofa cushions, hating but knowing Clay was right. “Yeah. Her clinic was one of the ones being supported by my dad’s charity event. I checked into her dad. He was an attorney before running for state senator. Not wealthy, but not hurting.”

“So, how are you going to handle it?”

“First up… I’ll talk to her dad. Then, when I meet her, I’ll apologize. Let her know what I need to do to keep her safe while we try to find out who’s sending the threats. She’s a smart woman. She’ll be fine with it.”

The others finished their drinks, and with good lucks called out as they left, he headed into his bedroom to pack. Sylvie had his travel arrangements completed, and he’d leave on a flight to New Mexico the next morning.

That night, sitting in bed with his tablet open, he continued to study everything he could about Josie Rector. But it was her photograph that kept drawing his attention. Red-blonde hair. Light blue eyes. He remembered the flash in those eyes when he curtly ended the evening after she turned down his invitation to get drinks. Oh, yeah… I need to apologize.

Cobb stared out the window as the plane began its descent into the Albuquerque airport. The scene was familiar, having flown in and out over the years. The land was flat, with mountains in the background. Dry and arid, it resembled a dustbowl from the air until they neared the city. Upon arrival, Cobb took possession of a large SUV that Sylvie had reserved for him. A big man, he enjoyed the legroom while driving and liked the protection the vehicle afforded.

For his first stop, he headed downtown and parked near the capitol. Senator Rector’s office was in a building nearby, and he found it easily. Walking into the reception area, he noted two desks, one closer to the door and one just outside the senator’s office. Stepping to the closest desk, he smiled at the young woman who stared up at him, her eyes wide. He stepped back slightly, knowing his size could be intimidating.

“Jorge Cobb from LSI to see Senator Rector, please.”

The woman blinked, and her silence was interrupted by another woman’s voice.

“Carla!”

Turning, Cobb’s lips twitched at the reproving gaze the older woman sitting at the next desk was throwing toward the younger woman. She looked up at him and said smoothly, “Mr. Cobb, you are expected. Welcome back to