No Escape From War (Trouble for Hire #1) - Cynthia Eden Page 0,46

knew. Rose was…She was…

Hell, she was in trouble.

***

War watched as Rose talked to her crew. By the time they’d arrived, the body had already been transported. But it hadn’t taken Rose long to get the scoop on what had gone down. It appeared that the woman was a drowning victim. Not a homicide victim. She’d been found in her bathing suit, washed ashore, with no signs of trauma on her body.

The rip currents in the area were dangerous bastards. War knew they had taken more than their share of victims, and if the woman had gone out for a swim under the moonlit sky…she might not have been prepared for what waited on her.

But it wasn’t time to make that judgment yet. The ME would do an exam. The cops would conclude their investigation.

War heard someone say, “Going live.” He backed up and watched Rose. She squared her shoulders and looked straight into the camera.

“I’m on the scene at a local beach where a body was discovered by a jogger shortly before—”

“Thought she wasn’t getting back in front of the camera.”

War didn’t look away from Rose. He’d been aware of Odin’s slow approach. He’d caught sight of his friend from the corner of his eye.

“At least, that was the message you texted me last night.”

“Dylan called her this morning. The ass seems to be threatening her job. Told her she had to show up. The guy who should have been filming broke his leg.” He kept his voice low. “Our next stop is the news station, and I can guarantee you, I will be having a nice, long talk with the jerk.”

“The vic on the beach wasn’t strangled.”

Now War did glance Odin’s way.

The blond shrugged. “I did some digging. Actually arrived at the scene before you did. When I heard on the scanner about the body being discovered—a female victim, so close to Rose’s place—I wanted to make sure the guy we’re after didn’t strike out at someone else.”

Wasn’t that what they’d all feared?

“No wounds were on her neck. At least, not that I saw. I got a few more details from the cops before they me shut down, but this death seems unrelated. A fucking tragedy…” His gaze swept toward the waves. “But not a murder by our guy.”

Rose was still speaking as she motioned toward the waves.

“Got my tech friend to try and learn more about the photo sent to you. He’s working on it but—”

“I figured out who sent it.” War had just forgotten to tell Odin. “A PI named Gary Strom. Real piece of work. He likes to peer in windows and take pictures of people.”

Odin rocked back on his heels. “Want me keeping an eye on him?”

He measured his buddy. “I’d appreciate it.” He wanted to say more. To ask how Odin was doing. This was the first time that Odin had actually appeared interested in working on anything lately. He’d been drifting too much. Living in the past and the pain there. “I could use a partner on this case.”

Odin’s blond brows rose. “Partner?”

“If you’re going to be sticking around town, maybe you should consider joining the PI business with me. Clients have been increasing, and I need the help.” The PI side business had started as a hobby. War had been used to spending his days and nights in battles. Giving up the adrenaline, suddenly being a civilian who didn’t live on the edge—it had been one hell of an adjustment.

So he’d looked for something to capture his attention.

Decided to try a few side gigs. Discovered he had a knack for the job.

Odin didn’t reply. War figured that meant his friend was thinking things over. He wouldn’t push. Odin wasn’t the type of man you could push.

War’s attention shifted back to Rose and her crew.

“Got it!” The cameraman backed up after making his announcement. “I’ll take a few scene shots, but we should be good here.”

Rose blew out a breath and nodded.

“She ok?” Odin asked.

“Rose is a lot stronger than she looks.”

“Good to know.” Then, “You ok?”

No, man, I’m falling in deep again, and I don’t know what the hell I’ll do if she walks on me. “Great. Couldn’t be better. Fantastic.”

“Shit. You had sex with her.”

Those words—accurate words—had his stare whipping back to Odin. “Don’t push on this. Don’t say anything that makes her feel uncomfortable.”

Odin rubbed his chin. “I was doing a little spring cleaning at your place.”

Talk about a conversational change, but… “Since when?”

“Found something interesting in your kitchen drawer.