Page 37 of Brazilian Surrender
Zoe hadn’t met Jaeger in person yet, and as far she knew he could be anyone.
“Jaeger Bauer. Zoe Callahan,” Camila said, waving her finger between the two of them.
Jaeger gave Zoe a close-lipped smile and quick nod. Zoe sized him up, probably wondering how much he knew and whose side he was on. After all, Zoe knew everyone Camila did. “He’s the guy I hired to protect me from the stalker and figure out who he or she is. If you had answered my voicemails, you’d be up to speed,” Camila said. And he’d make a dream boyfriend too, but we’re so not talking about that. Especially with him standing next to her, towering over them.
“What if Alicia knows about the affair and mistook you for Camila? Do you know if that would be possible? Did Duncan say anything about his wife?” Jaeger asked, his voice commanding.
Zoe shook her head, visibly annoyed. “Listen, I’m not going to discuss my private life with a stranger. How the hell do you know all this?” She rolled her eyes at Jaeger.
“I had you investigated,” Jaeger said, unfazed by Zoe’s skepticism. Camila imagined he’d seen it all in his profession and nothing really surprised him. He maintained his posture, his tone steady. “If you help us, we’ll be one step closer to finding out who’s harassing your roommate. You want to cooperate, yes? For Camila?”
Zoe’s jaw dropped a notch. Perhaps the wheels in her head turned when he’d mentioned Camila’s safety. Zoe let out a sigh then shared a glance with Camila before staring at him. Camila chewed on her lower lip. Crap. Pressuring her friend wasn’t cool, but they couldn’t have it both ways. Time was running out. “W-What do you mean? How serious is this? Are you okay?” she asked Camila, but kept looking at him.
“We have to make sure she’s okay,” Jaeger said. “That’s why we need your help.”
“Maybe she knows. She traveled to Europe to attend some fashion shows, but he told me she’s been distant lately.”
A lady walking her dog strolled by them, and Jaeger waited until she was far enough away to keep talking. “Do you have anything more concrete? Can you ask him for sure if he thinks she knows?”
Zoe shook her head, shoulders sagging a notch. “Oh, crap. She knows, okay? This isn’t the first time he had a relationship in his marriage. She didn’t want any details. They’re talking about a trial separation.”
“Why? Why are you wasting your time with a guy like that?” Camila asked, though her question had nothing to do with the case. “You deserve better, Zoe,” she said, lifting her chin, challenging her friend to be honest. If she didn’t mention, if she didn’t at least try to make her see the mistake she was making, she couldn’t forgive herself. At the end of the day, Zoe would do as Zoe wanted—her right, her life. But Camila couldn’t listen to a great friend say that her married boyfriend cheated on his wife before without stating her opinion. Maybe it was the Brazilian in her—keeping quiet and politically correct proved difficult in some situations.
“I love him,” she said, her big brown eyes flickering. “I know it sounds ridiculous, but if he’s willing to leave his wife in the future to be with me, I can get over how we got together.”
Jaeger stepped forward, exhaling. “Zoe, your life may be in danger. I’d feel more comfortable if we got someone from my agency to keep an eye on you until this mess is solved. I can make a call right now—”
“What?” Zoe cut him off, frowning. “No. Listen…she wouldn’t hurt me. I can’t believe you have a freaking lunatic after you. I’m so sorry. But I don’t think she’d do it.”
“If you hear anything or change your mind, here’s my card,” he said, giving it to her. The entire time Jaeger kept his focus, his face not giving away a thing. The restraint she’d judged robotic when she first met him now made complete sense. He needed to slip on an invisible mask for his work.
Zoe put his card in his pocket, and her cell phone beeped. Camila waited until she read a text message to say good-bye. Zoe’s eyes widened.
“What is it?” Camila asked.
“Oh God. Oh God.” Zoe’s hand flew to her mouth. “Lee is dead.”
