Page 114 of Three Steps Behind

“It hasn’t come up, but I’m afraid we need that ledger to bring down Dalton’s operation. We can’t risk tipping our hand with a raid until we know the ledger is in the house. Just say ‘got it’ when you find it, and we’ll come in.”

“And the cash?”

“Cash?” He tipped his chin down.

“What will you guys do with the cash you mentioned? With all his money?”

“Hold it as evidence.”

“And after the case is over?”

“It stays in evidence.”

“What a waste. Can’t you give it to . . . a good cause or something?” Give it to the women Dalton was treating like cattle so they’d have a fresh start and a chance at a real life?

He smiled, his eyes softening.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Don’t ask about things you don’t want to know. Rookie mistake.

“Because I knew you were good inside.”

“I . . .” Really, Bri? Stunned silent? “I need to go. Dalton will be here soon.”

He swallowed. “Be safe, and remember, I’ll be nearby.”

She jetted across the hall with an uber fast good-bye. She couldn’t take more of that look—kindness and compassion and something else. . . . Caring?

He cared for her. She’d studied him, and he wasn’t lying. How could a good man like Aubry Marshall care for a woman like her?

“Bristol,” a familiar voice said before she made it inside her apartment.

Footsteps drew near, coming from the direction of the elevator.

She turned to Miquel. Had he seen her bolt out of Aubry’s apartment?

She fixed a smile on her face. “How are you? I wasn’t expecting to see you today, but what a lovely surprise.”

He looked at Aubry’s door, then back at her.

So he had seen her.

“I was just dropping off a package for my neighbor. He wasn’t home so I grabbed it for him.”

Miquel lifted his chin. “I didn’t realize you had friends in the building.”

“I wouldn’t say friends. Just neighbors,” she said, hoping to stop that discussion in its tracks. “Would you like to come in? I can make us some coffee.”

“Thank you, but I’m just here to deliver this.” He pulled out a box he’d been holding behind his back—white with a wide and shiny red ribbon.

“What’s this?”

“A gift from Dalton. He had some unexpected business meetings today and asked me to run it over.”

“Okay. Thank you. I appreciate it.”

Miquel nodded. “See you tonight.”