this site?”
She nodded.
“Would that person have any reason to stop you from investigating Bernie’s murder?”
She breathed a laugh and then winced, digging her head back into the pillow in pain.
“Easy, Sadie.” Steven put his hand on her arm again, catching the edge of her hospital gown and moving it down her shoulder a fraction, revealing part of the bandage on her chest.
“No,” she said to Jasper. “I haven’t even met him yet.”
“Would he have any other reason to go after you?”
She rolled her head from side to side, a silent response.
“What about events? Dates? Anything like that?”
“I attend all of my fund-raiser events. That keeps me very busy.”
“Anyone come to mind at any of those who might be worth checking out?”
She thought awhile. “I don’t know. I don’t think so.”
“We’ll look into that more later. Right now, you should get some rest like your friend here suggested. You have a long road ahead of you for recovery. We’ll head to your place as soon as you’re released.”
Sadie’s brow creased slightly. “We?”
“I’ll require a room close to where you sleep.” He wouldn’t negotiate this part. DAI had a strong policy on client safety.
“Where...what are you saying? You’re going home with me?”
“Somebody almost succeeded in killing you, Ms. Moreno. Long-distance comms aren’t going to work.” Something much more up close and personal was her only option. “That’s nonnegotiable.”
As her incredible eyes softened into acquiescence, he almost dreaded what would happen when she regained her strength.
* * *
Sadie lived in the Tetons, soaring rocky peaks and steep forested slopes her view from every window of her English fairy-tale home. Landscaping painted the property near the house. The manicured lawns and gardens would be spectacular in the warmer months ahead. A ten-foot stone fence looked to surround the estate and a heavy iron gate prevented entry until the guard on duty recognized Sadie and let them onto the property. So far so good. He liked what he saw. No one had followed them, either.
He drove Sadie’s Ferrari up the gravel driveway to a turning circle and gawked at the oolitic limestone mansion. He sat in the car and stared. With sash windows running the length of two stories and two turrets, he could have traveled through time to the old English countryside of Cotswold. Still transfixed with the Ferrari engine purring, he heard Sadie stir on the seat beside him. Weak as a kitten, the trip home had taxed her.
He climbed out from the low seat and went around to Sadie’s side. She’d managed to get the door open but now cringed in pain.
“Let me help you.” Jasper slipped his arms beneath her and alighted her from the car. She winced and put her forehead against his shoulder. He could imagine the kind of pain she was in.
As he approached the wood double doors, one of them opened and a man stepped out onto a stone porch that extended to the driveway with gardens surrounding it. Not a tall man, or large, he had a butler look to him with expressionless eyes, neatly combed-back thick brown hair and an unsmiling mouth. He wore tan slacks and a white dress shirt and had a radio clipped to his belt. He allowed Jasper to enter.
Inside, Jasper stepped onto a marble-floored entry with a waiting room off to one side.
“Right this way, Mr. Roesch,” the man said. “I’m the estate manager, Finley.”
No introductions necessary, Jasper mused. “Hello, Finley.”
They entered the main living area, a large walnut-paneled room partially open to the second floor. The coffered ceiling contained ornate insets and the trim held equal detail. A curvy ivory sofa and chairs around a large square cocktail ottoman brightened up the room.
“What kind of electronic security does she have here?” he asked as he followed the man up a turreted stone stairway worthy of a princess.
“The property is surrounded by a ten-foot stone fence topped with barbed wire, cameras and movement detection devices. A single guard is stationed in the gatehouse and several others stay in one of the guesthouses. There’s a small ops center there.”
Impressive, but...why?
“Don’t even think about making changes,” Sadie said against his shoulder and neck.
He chuckled. “I wasn’t...” Just the opposite.
“I don’t want intrusive security. This is my home. My sanctuary. It’s bad enough that the perimeter wall makes me feel like I’m in prison.”
Didn’t she think she already had intrusive security? “Noted.” He wouldn’t reveal his thoughts, not yet.
He took in the railing with a view of downstairs and then stepped into a wide arching stone hallway with nineteenth-century mirror, lantern-style lighting and floral crewel drapes. He passed a walnut-paneled library with vaulted ceiling and early evening light bringing out the colors of books. A Persian rug and old-fashioned seating were arranged before a fireplace. “Were you into castles and princesses as a kid?”
“What girl isn’t?” she asked sleepily. She’d taken a painkiller a couple of hours ago.
Finley entered a room at the end of the hall. Rose, soft green and cream colors hit the eye first. Then the rich detail came out. The bed looked French, probably hand carved, and a toile fabric chair and ottoman were angled before six sash windows. An etched glass closet door was open to reveal a large walk-in closet with organized walnut shelves and more seating.
Finley pulled back the soft, downy covers. Jasper laid her down and her arms stayed around him as their gazes met. He couldn’t look away and watched her eyes slide closed once, twice, three times, and then they didn’t open. It had to be one of the sweetest sights he’d ever experienced.
“Your quarters are across the hall from the miss,” Finley said. “Cook has prepared dinner. Where would you like it served?”
“Right in here.” Jasper went to one of the pretty chairs and sat.
“Excuse me?”
Noticing Finley’s alarm, he explained. “My first concern is for Sadie’s safety. Best if you tell everyone that’s nonnegotiable.” He nodded toward his charge. “She’s as vulnerable as she’ll ever be in this condition. I won’t take a single chance.” He adjusted his seat. “In fact, why don’t you bring a cot or something in here? I’ll be sensitive to her need of privacy.”
Finley seemed to smother a pleased smile. “Yes, sir.”
“Where did she find you?” Jasper asked before the estate manager could turn to leave.
“I had to take classes on how to manage
