Page 48 of Lost and Found

“You are entirely too calm.” Then again, she liked how impossibly unflappable Wes was. He’d spotted the problem. Titan had taken care of it. They would have information, and that was what Bailey thrived on.

“That’s the job,” he said.

And that’s what she had to remember. This was temporary and nothing she could get attached to. A job. Just like her podcast seasons. When this one was done, she’d move on to the next.

The rest of the drive was not nearly as exciting. They picked up fast food and hit traffic. Finally, they arrived at Jennifer Yang’s house, and Wes killed the engine. “Is this going to be hard for you?”

“No more so than viewing the crime scene photos.”

“Bailey…”

“This is what I do. I don’t see anyone asking you how you’re doing after things get intense.”

“I was shot last fall. The guys I work with ask all the time. My boss always asks. And even though I say I’m fine, I had to prove that I was ready for prime time again.”

“You were shot?” Her lips parted, but she didn’t know what else to say. He could’ve died. God. That he might not be there because…it hit too close to home.

“Here and here.” He tapped his shoulder and arm. “All I’m saying is that you don’t have to be fearless and invincible with people you trust and rely on. I won’t tell anyone if you need to be human every once in a while.”

“Is that how you see me?” Was that how she wanted the world to see her? From the moment she’d found out Ryan had been in a car accident that took his life, through every endless night of caring for a teething baby alone, or even dealing with the break-in at her house, she had presented herself as unflinching. A protective wall of armor between her and the world, and Wes had noticed.

He studied her for an eternity before turning back to the road. “You’re unstoppable. But that’s not sustainable.”

Unstoppable? She couldn’t breathe. “I’m fine.”

He barely nodded. A muscle ticked in his jaw. “If you change your tune, I’ll listen to anything you want to share, sweetness.”

Her pulse quickened. She couldn’t let her guard down. Bailey unfastened her seatbelt. “Jennifer probably saw that we’re here. We should go.”

He reached for her hand again and held tight as if he understood his touch could dismantle the wall she’d built brick by brick. Bailey wanted to snatch her hand back but didn’t want to lose his touch. Maybe she even wanted some bricks to come down. Hell, she didn’t know what she wanted anymore. Except for the very primal understanding that she wanted Wes. But that was only in an impossible fantasy world where she had no responsibilities and could risk heartache.

“Promise me that you’ll let me know if you need a break.”

“I promise.”

Wes released her hand. “Jennifer will probably appreciate them as well.”

Then he reached for his door and got out as if he hadn’t shocked her by seeing the woman she hid from the world. He knew her better than she realized. That was scary and difficult to ignore.

Chapter Eleven

Wes carried the bag of recording equipment and Bailey’s laptop, following close behind as Jennifer Yang welcomed them into her home. They were in an exceedingly safe neighborhood, but her house had security cameras covering almost every angle. Inside was similar, with a top-of-the-line system.

Had Caitie Flanagan’s murder prompted Jennifer to live like this? Maybe there were extenuating circumstances. A priceless Van Gogh? An elderly family member needing constant supervision? Voyeurism for shits and giggles? The reasons to live with multiple cameras in every room were endless.

Bailey had a way about her that put the people she interviewed at ease immediately. He’d admired that about her before, but to see her in action again was a treat. She wasn’t fake. Her sympathies and sentiments came from her heart. She’d called him empathetic, but she was the real deal. He was simply trying to be a good person. Bailey could really put herself in other people’s shoes and understand.

Jennifer directed them into a well-appointed living room. Not stuffy, but this wasn’t a place where he envisioned anyone relaxing. Wes set up Bailey’s laptop and equipment as the women talked. He’d done this several times before when they spoke with Natalie O’Malley’s family and friends. Most of those interviews took place in college apartments. Very different from this, but still the same setup.

“If you’re comfortable,” Bailey said, “Wes will start recording. We’ll keep talking like we have been. It helps to start now so that when we delve into the interview, we’re not thinking about it too much.”

Jennifer’s knee bounced. “Okay.”

“If there’s any time you want to stop or pause, just say the word. And if you say something and realize it makes you uncomfortable, again, just let me know. I’ll never use anything you say without your permission.”

Fidgeting, Jennifer agreed. “I understand.”

Wes connected the equipment. When the red light flashed, he nodded to Jennifer and Bailey. “We’re up and running. Do you mind if I use the restroom first?”