Chapter 9

Jacinda stood at the back of the chapel, careful to stand behind Brent. It wasn’t as crowded with reporters as they’d feared, but there were enough cameras to make her want to stay out of sight. At least they weren’t allowed inside.

She had been stunned by the number of celebrities and other influential people attending. Actors, judges, government officials, and so many corporate giants, she felt even more invisible and unimportant than she did on a normal day. Just what was she doing here, she wondered?

So far, she’d been able to avoid being touched, yet dreaded the moment Mandy noticed her. She knew that not making direct eye contact usually worked to keep her unnoticed. What she didn’t know was how she’d not look at Mandy or her father.

Reid walked back to join them. Brent was scanning the room, looking for anything out of the ordinary. Jacinda looked completely withdrawn. He liked to think it was just being out of her working clothes, and she was as uncomfortable as he was in a tie but knew the change in her demeanor happened once they’d arrived at the funeral.

When she’d walked out to the car at the station, he’d been stunned by the change. Of course, Brent had whistled, making her smile. She’d pulled some of her long hair off her face in a complicated weave, leaving the rest hanging down, surrounding her shoulders like a cloak. A basic black skirt suit hugged her nicely curved body, and he discovered that she’d been hiding very nice-looking legs under her jeans. She’d even taken the time to put on makeup, which made her huge brown eyes appeal to him even more.

He looked over Brent’s shoulder down at her. “If you’re trying to hide, it’s not working. I could see your shoes on the way over.” She looked up at him, those huge brown eyes made his heart jump. Frowning, he reached over and played with the long hair falling off her shoulder. “You really don’t like being surrounded by strangers, do you?” She shook her head, not taking her eyes off his hand touching her hair. “Sorry.” He dropped his hand. “You don’t have to come.”

Jac’s eyes shifted to the Azaire’s, surrounded by people she’d only ever seen in the newspapers. “I’m pretty sure my invitation was more of a summons.” She whispered, ensuring that no one would overhear.

Reid put his hands in his pockets and glanced briefly over at the millionaire sitting at the head of the casket. Holding his elbow out to her, he smiled. “Let’s do this, so we can sit at the back and blend in.”

She looked up at him and blinked. “Because being the tiny man you are, I’m sure you blend in easily.” He shrugged and held his elbow out again.

She took a deep breath and put her hand through his elbow. She felt basic male protectiveness and that she could bear in this situation. “Thank you, detective.”

He paused and looked down at her. “Reid.”

She gave him a brief smile and then glanced over to see Brent walking closely on her other side. “I feel like a rock star surrounded by bodyguards.”

Brent grinned down at her. “You’re our star.” He nodded politely to some in the crowd as they walked past and continued to speak quietly. “We may not have wanted your involvement, but we’ll lock up anyone that tries to take you from us.”

She looked up at Brent, then up to the man whose arm she clung to. “Um, thanks?”

Reid looked down. “Are you ready?” Her hand tightened around his arm. “Just hang on, and no one will grab at you.” She just nodded. Brent gave him a skeptical look over the top of her head. Reid just set his jaw and gave a quick nod.

Jac was surprised to see William Azaire stand up when they reached him. He nodded at the people surrounding him, and they politely walked away. He looked down at her.

“Thank you for coming, Miss Brown.” He nodded to the men. “Detectives.” He looked around the room for a few moments. Turning to his daughter, he reached down and held her hand for a second. “I’ll be back in a moment, sweetheart.” She just nodded.

Brent followed behind the millionaire, but Jac pulled Reid closer to the grieving sibling.

Mandy gave Jac a somber look. “Thanks for coming.”

Jacinda’s heart felt like it was too big for her chest. “How are you doing, Mandy?” The blonde woman looked down at her hands holding the tissue.

“We’re going to be okay.”

She said it in a way that made Jac think she was trying to convince herself.

Mandy looked at the detective and then back to her. “Daddy said we’ll go away after this to regroup.”

Jac nodded. “That sounds like a good idea.”

Mandy nodded and sniffled. “I know Daddy is waiting to talk to you, so I won’t keep you.”

They turned to walk away.

“Jac?”

They stopped, and Jac turned to look at her.

“Are you closer?”

Jac just nodded, not knowing exactly what to say.

Mandy wiped her eyes with the tissue and then nodded at her, barely holding back the tears. “Good.”

Taking a shaky breath, she clung to the detective’s arm and walked with him over to Mr. Azaire, she decided to remain quiet as she didn’t know what to say.

Reid leaned down to whisper, “If you could leave that arm attached, I’d really appreciate it.” Her heart was beating out of control, a combination of nerves and dread running through her system. “Sorry.” She loosened her grip. Chewing her lip, she glanced quickly at Mr. Azaire, then back up to the man trying to lighten the mood. “I’d rather be at the dentist.”

He winced. “Are you a sadist? The dentist?” He blew out a breath. “You’re doing fine; we’re almost out of here.”

She looked briefly at Brent as they stepped in front of the man that hadn’t stopped examining her as they approached. She wished it was how much leg she was showing, but knew the tycoon was looking to her for resolution and justice.

When William stepped closer, Jac fought the urge to bolt. She felt the detective hold her hand tighter against his side in silent support.

“Miss Brown. I’ve been trying not to phone and harass you and the detectives every hour.” He put his hands in his pockets and studied her. “Did the information I sent help?”

She knew he was struggling with every word. “Yes, it did.”

“So…”

“We’re a lot further ahead than we were.” Reid straightened to his full height and looked at the other man, demanding focus. Azaire looked at him for a long moment before nodding. Reid cleared his throat. “Miss Brown has been working long hours with us and has brought us closer than we would have been on our own.” Jacinda looked up at him. She knew Brent felt the same way, but she was surprised to hear him say it.

William Azaire stood, silently processing this information. Jac could see the emotions going through his eyes. He looked back to her suddenly, the pleading clear to read.

“Do you need anything—anything at all, to…”

She reached with her free hand and placed it on his arm. “No, we’re fine, sir.”

He nodded and patted her hand a few times. “We’re going to be going away for a while; I’ll call you with the number.”

She pulled her hand back and clasped it with the hand still looped through the detective’s elbow. “We’ll let you know as soon as we know.”

He glanced past her shoulder and then straightened, a cooler and in control expression coming over his face. “I have to get back to Amanda.” He nodded to the three and quickly walked away.

Jac blew out a long breath and then glanced at Brent. “Are we done yet?”

Brent grinned. “Soon.” He motioned to Reid. “Let’s go sit in the back and watch who comes and goes.”

Reid nodded and turned with her still attached to his arm to walk to the back of the room. He looked down at her as she navigated, carefully not touching anything or anyone but him. “Did you want a cup of tea?”

She released his arm and sat in the chair as far in the corner as she could. Blowing out a breath and nodded. “Yes, please, tea would be nice.” He left to go get her one.

Brent sat down beside her. “I take it you’d be happier if I didn’t leave you here alone until he’s back.”

She smiled. “You would be correct.”

He leaned a few inches closer to her. “Do you have a people phobia?”

Jac suddenly wanted to tell him everything. “It’s very hard to explain, I’m just much more comfortable away from groups of people.”

He nodded thoughtfully. “You have a lot in common with Reid.” They both turned to watch him work his way back to them. “Inside, he’s growling and gnashing his teeth at every one of them.”

She put her hand over her mouth and laughed quietly. “Whereas on the inside, I’m running the other way and screaming don’t touch me.”

He chuckled and patted her knee lightly. “We’ll get you out of here in one piece.” He stood when Reid was standing beside him with a cup in each hand. He was almost glaring at the cups. Brent winked at her. “Whereas I, on the other hand, feel the more the merrier.” He wandered off towards the most crowded area of the room.

Jac wrinkled up her nose at his partner. “Sadist.”

Reid watched his partner walk away, chuckling. He sat down and handed her the cup. “Did I miss something?”

She took a sip and grinned. “We were discussing how I would like to run out of here screaming don’t touch me and that he likes lots of people.”

Reid snarled. “Yeah, he’s always trying to drag me into crowded places.”

She tipped her head to the side and looked at him. “I figured with your size, crowds wouldn’t be a problem, can’t you just look over everyone’s head?” She looked at him with her tongue in her cheek, hiding a smile.

He dropped his head down and grinned. “In most cases. I just don’t like being surrounded by people I don’t know.”

Jac sighed. “Yeah.” She surveyed the room, trying to relax a little bit.

Reid checked his watch. “When Brent gets back, we’ll get him to hold our seats in this hidden corner and go find a quiet spot for a few minutes.” She gave him a surprised look. “We still have over half an hour before the service begins.” She just bowed her head in response.

***

Reid opened the third door and looked inside. This one was truly empty. He glanced around for witnesses, then motioned for her to go inside.

Jac stepped in and took a few breaths. “I didn’t realize the cameras would still be outside.”

He frowned. “Oh, they’re not going to miss a chance to get a picture that might be newsworthy, or at least gossip-worthy.”

She leaned back against the closed door, looking around the tiny room. “Well, it’s not as fancy as the last two, but at least it is empty.”

He cast a quick glance at the chairs shoved against the wall. “I think this is some sort of closet.”

She looked around again. “I think you’re right, but I don’t care.” Running a shaky hand over her face, she rolled her shoulders.

Reid noted the strained look on her face. She was honestly that uncomfortable? He went to stop in front of her. Leaning one hand beside her on the doorframe, he looked down. “Do you want to go?”

Jac rested her head against the door, looking up at him thoughtfully. “No, that would be admitting I’m a coward.”

He gave her a serious look. “Who cares what anyone thinks?”

Jacinda chewed her lip and regarded him again. “I meant to myself.”

He smiled down at her. Pride was something he understood. He didn’t know why he was going to do this, hadn’t thought of it prior to this moment. And he knew he’d question it many times after. But—

Reaching slowly with his other hand, he put a finger under her chin and slowly tipped her face up to look at him. Her eyes watched his, waiting for him to say something. He intended to say something, but his mind seemed to have paused.

Slowly, giving her more than enough time to stop him, he lowered his head and brushed his mouth lightly over hers. There was something inviting in the way her mouth responded that gave him no choice but to kiss her again, lingering for a few seconds longer.

It wasn’t a movie scene kiss, just a brief connection. But there was something about the way she leaned there against the door, not touching him but accepting and returning his kiss, that caused his heart rate to pick up so quickly he thought she would hear it. He lifted his head and looked down at her. Brushing his thumb lightly over her cheek, he straightened slowly. She just stood there with her head tilted up toward him, eyes wide open.

Jac finally blinked and then let out a breath as if she’d been holding it. The look in her eyes made him want to kiss her again.

Reid leaned a little further away from her and smirked. “I did not intend to do that, I was going to…”

Both turned their heads when the music started playing. He glanced quickly at his watch. “We have to go now unless we want everyone to watch us walk in.”

“Uh, no.” She jerked away from the door and pulled it open.

Reid grabbed her hand and pulled her through the door behind him. Each time they passed someone, he slowed.

Reaching the outer doors to the chapel, he stopped and put his hand in his pocket. Offering her his elbow, they walked through the doors and calmly walked over to Brent, and took their seats.

Brent gave Reid a look filled with questions. Then he looked at Jac, she was smirking with her head down.

“I thought you two had bailed on me,” he whispered quietly enough not to be heard.

Jac smiled at him and then shrugged. “No. Your partner dragged me into a closet to kiss me.” She looked to the front of the room quickly, a smirk on her face.

Reid’s eyes widened. Brent knew his mouth was hanging open, but he couldn’t stop it.

Reid dropped his head down, hoping he would appear to be grieving.

Grinning, he put his hand over his mouth for a moment, then glanced at the woman sitting there looking somberly towards the minister at the front of the room. “Troublemaker,” he said quietly. The corner of her mouth twitching was the only indication she had heard him.

Lifting his head, he chanced a glance at Brent, disbelief still on his face. Reid shrugged quickly then turned his attention to the front of the room.

***

They didn’t go to the burial. As soon as the services were over, the three found a side door and slipped out without bringing any attention.

The ride back was silent; Jac sat in the back, watching out the window. She knew Brent was looking over at his partner with a question not spoken every few minutes.

She leaned forward. “Thanks for all the help back there. I wasn’t sure I was going to get through it.” She glanced to see green eyes watching her in the rearview mirror.

Brent turned and gave her a mischievous grin. “Apparently, one of us was more helpful than the other.”

Smirking, she decided to put him out of his misery. “Okay, I might have fibbed a bit. I was not dragged into a closet.” She looked at the green eyes watching her, then back to Brent, now leaning so far back he was almost in the back seat. “I needed a few minutes not surrounded by people, so we found a storage room and stood in there until the services started.”

Brent continued to examine her silently. Turning, he cuffed Reid on the shoulder. “You jackass.” He laughed. “You were happy to leave me thinking you were ravishing poor Jac in the closet.”

Reid leered at him and then grinned. His green eyes then glanced in the mirror again and met hers. He checked the road again before bouncing briefly back to her. “I didn’t start the rumor.” She smiled and then returned her gaze out the window.

Brent looked around at her again. “So, are we putting in a few more hours at the office or calling it a day?”

Reid regarded her in the mirror. “You up for a bit more investigating?”

Jac nodded and glanced briefly at those serious eyes. “It’s more eliminating, isn’t it?”

He nodded abruptly. “As long as it takes us closer each time, I don’t care what we call it.”

She nodded, “I could do a few more hours today.”

Brent rubbed his jaw. “I want to go speak with our only suspect.”

Reid clenched his jaw and then glanced back at her with those green eyes again. “You okay with hanging back at the office and digging up some more possibilities?”

“That’s fine. I have no idea where else to dig right now though.”

Brent turned towards her. “I have pages and pages of information on the possible location of the wire transfer. Detective McGowan has been working on it but hasn’t gotten far. It’s numbers and some branch information, you could work on discovering where it went.”

She shrugged. “I’ll try.”