Page 16 of Hidden With You

“Hang on,” Owen said.

Jasper drew in a breath as he took a quick self-assessment. Only when he was certain he’d give nothing away did he turn back around. “Yeah?”

“There’s overlap, isn’t there?”

“What do you mean?” Jasper asked. He knew exactly what Owen meant.

Owen hesitated before answering, looking around to make sure that no one else was close enough to hear. “Raleigh. The Maestro. There’s overlap with a case you had before. At MI6. The one that got away, and I bet it’s been eating at you. So you pulled a cold case, told me there’s a connection, and now you’re digging in.”

Steady. Steady.

He waited five beats, giving himself time to assess the possible repercussions of each possible answer. Ultimately, he decided on the truth. Or, at least, the version of the truth that Owen had concocted.

“You’re very good at what you do,” Jasper said.

“I’m an analyst. I analyze.”

“And now? Planning a conversation with Ryan?”

“Actually, I’m planning on helping you. Assuming you want my help.”

Jasper hesitated only long enough to really take this guy in. A shotgun assessment, but one in which Owen came out on top. “All right. Good. Thank you.”

Jasper started to turn away again when Owen added, “They putting you up at the Stark Century?”

Jasper nodded. “For the time being.”

“That won’t last forever. Then you either have to foot the bill to live in one of this city’s most expensive hotels, or you find another place to live.”

“I’ve been checking message boards. I’m just looking for a room right now. No lease until I know the city better. Figure out where I want to live, although I’m already partial to the beach.”

“I’ve got a place in Venice. Bedroom, bath, and open area. Great porch.” He nodded at a box of cigars on his desk. San Cristobal Ovations, an excellent brand with a beautiful brightly colored label featuring a parrot.

“Those came yesterday. Smoked them for years, then gave it up, but now I’m thinking a cigar, some whiskey, good conversation. You could come over one evening, check the place out, have a drink.” He shrugged. “I’m new in town, too, so…”

“A cigar and a drink sounds great.”

“Perfect. Second floor of my condo could be all yours. I could use a roommate.”

“Really?” Jasper started to ask why—maybe Owen was just overly friendly, maybe he was lonely, maybe he was gay, but maybe there was something else going on. Before he could frame the question, he was interrupted by Ryan’s voice from across the room.

“Jasper, with me. Grab your coat.”

“Think about it,” Owen said. “We’ll talk later. In the meantime, I’ll keep poking around. Chatter. Dark web. Whatever I can find.”

“Good man,” Jasper said, then snapped his computer off and hurried to follow his boss.