was needed. Jac was proud of that.
She and Dr. Appell, the brunette trainee, followed Clint into the investment firm and spoke to the receptionist on the second floor.
Luke Meynard had done well for himself, according to what Jac had been able to find about him.
Unlike his older siblings, Luke had a small savings in the bank, was apparently happily married—she’d found a social media page for his wife—and secure in his career. He’d been with the same investment firm in Casper for more than four years. At twenty-six, he was doing very well.
The receptionist seemed to enjoy Clint smiling at her. She was very helpful—when he did the talking. Jac had learned to work with whatever hand they were given. Besides, she understood.
There was something about Clint that made a woman feel…safe.
She did.
It could be because of what he meant to Miranda, or that she’d met him before. She’d even held his daughter one day on her last visit, when Miranda had volunteered to babysit after Clint’s housekeeper abruptly quit. He leaned over her quietly while they waited for the receptionist to check if Luke Maynard was back from his lunch break. “You handling the questioning?”
Jac nodded. “Yes. I’m good.”
“If you’d prefer, I’ll handle it.”
“Why don’t we play it by ear?” She didn’t want to appear like she couldn’t do her job. She could do interviews—she just didn’t like doing them. “Did Miranda tell you how I feel about interviews?”
“No, honey. It’s written all over your face. You’re like an open book. Did you know that?”
Well, no. Heat hit her cheeks. “Is it?”
“Yep. Especially when you look at the other Agent Jones.”
There was a probing look in his eyes that Jac hadn’t missed.
Why was everyone so consumed with her and Max?
“I—”
“Don’t worry about it. I won’t say a word. And I get it. I truly do.”
38
Clint hadn’t meant to embarrass her, but the poor woman had looked like she was getting ready to vomit. He’d spoken with Miranda about her team before—and she’d agreed with his observation that Jac Jones was probably the most timid member of the team.
He was interested to see what she could do in the interview. Miranda had made it clear that Jac was a good agent and more than capable of doing her job. Just something about the shorter redhead with big, vulnerable eyes reminded him of the one currently waiting for him at home.
That was what it was.
He was looking at Jac Jones and thinking of the woman he should have protected better than he had.
Clint was going to just step back and let Jac do her job. She probably didn’t want him hovering over her any more than his housekeeper did.
He’d have to remember that.
Before Clint could say anything else to either Jac Jones or the even quieter Dr. Appell, a tall man with bronze hair approached them with a puzzled expression in his eyes. The man favored Luther Beise more than he did his mother—but he was a far cry from either of his parents. He was dressed in a suit that rivaled for cut and price and severity any that Clint had seen Agent Knight wear. His tie was perfectly straight. “I’m Luke Meynard. Can I help you with something? Mandy says you’re with the FBI?”
Jac stepped in front of Clint. Clint looked down at her for a moment. The area surrounding Meynard’s cubicle was rather small and located at the back of the office. It was a tight squeeze.
Red hair was right in front of his face.
He’d always liked redheads. Probably always would. All the women he’d ever loved—including his mother, who’d died when he was around four or so—had had red hair. Even his daughter had an orange tint to the peach fuzz covering her head, inherited from the grandmother she’d never know.
Jac’s hair was darker than his housekeeper’s, but damned if the woman in front of him didn’t remind him of her in so many ways. It was in the way they had of looking at him that did it. Made him want to protect, even though Jac Jones could no doubt take care of herself very, very well.
“Mr. Meynard, you are Luther Beise, Jr.?” Jac began.
“Yes, what’s this about?”
“Were you aware that you are operating under a false identity?”
“Actually, I’m not. I learned recently that my parents never legally changed our names, so I began the process myself six months ago. My employer is aware of it. And my attorney is handling everything.”
“Do you have verification of