Agent Ren Bryce Thriller Series Books 1-3: Blood Runs Cold, Time of Death, Blood Loss

Ren tried to smile through them. ‘It’s not just that, Billy …’

‘Oh. This is an opportunity for a nice clean break. I was thinking; I mean, Glenwood’s only an hour and a half away …’

‘I’m sorry … I don’t know what to say.’

‘Did they find out about us?’

Yes. ‘No.’

‘I don’t know if I believe you.’

‘That’s OK. But they don’t know. And even if they did, you’re OK. Nothing’s going to happen to you.’

He let out a long breath. They sat in silence. He dragged her legs on to his lap.

‘You have beautiful feet.’ He bent down and kissed them.

‘Thank you.’

He reached out and slipped a hand under her back and pulled her up to sit on him. He stared into her eyes.

‘What do you think you’re going to find?’ she said.

He shrugged. ‘You love having arms wrapped around you, Ren. But sometimes I get the sense that it doesn’t matter whose arms.’

‘That’s a terrible thing to say.’

‘It doesn’t matter – as long as whoever owns those arms doesn’t care about you too much, right?’

Ren said nothing.

‘It’s weird … you have this look,’ said Billy.

‘Do I?’

He nodded. ‘A faraway look.’

‘I don’t think so … but if I do, it’s not because of you.’

‘It’s kind of aimed through me.’

‘I had no idea.’

He shrugged.

‘I don’t know you very well,’ said Ren.

‘And you get confused by my game face,’ said Billy. ‘The one I have on when I’m in the bar. The one I have on when I’m eyeballing the dirtbags that come in and out. The face that makes you wonder.’ He tilted his head. ‘Am I right? Did you look any deeper? I know you’re going, Ren. But what was I? I don’t get it. What – you were looking for a little danger in your life?’

‘Stop,’ said Ren. ‘Just stop. This isn’t fair.’

‘You’ve never known,’ said Billy. ‘From day one, you have never known how you feel about me, have you? I mean, one part of you does. I’ve seen that. But what about up here?’ He pointed to her head. ‘Or here?’ He held a hand to her heart. ‘Jesus, Ren. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was gay.’

‘What?’

‘You are the closest to a man of any woman I’ve ever known. You’ve been thinking with your dick.’

‘Or about yours.’ She half-smiled.

‘Sweetheart? You’ve been thinking about more than just my dick, and that’s what has you so freaked out.’

Her smile faltered. ‘I don’t know if –’

‘OK, hands up in the audience who hasn’t understood that Ren Bryce doesn’t know?’ He threw his arms up in the air. ‘How can someone so smart be so out of touch with how she feels? Seriously?’

‘But where did you come from?’ said Ren. ‘You look like a … with your tattoos and … well … then you have this …’

Billy laughed out loud. ‘Let me help you out – I look like America’s Most Wanted.’ He smiled sadly. ‘And what my most wanted is … is …’ He looked away.

Ren’s stomach tightened. ‘Aw, Billy. Jesus…’ She frowned. ‘I don’t deserve this. How can you still be so nice to me?’

‘Because I’m hoping that at some point you will know. That you’ll figure it all out. And that I’ll have a shot.’

‘But I can’t even promise –’

He reached across the table. ‘I know. And … look, I’ll be here …’ He smiled sadly. ‘That’s what Billy does. Billy waits.’

Chapter 46 (#u8bb60e53-87b4-54e1-a600-62c12d8c99b9)

Ren knew that the best part of her day would be the snowy drive through Glenwood Canyon, one of the most beautiful stretches of highway she had ever traveled. She listened to classical scores from movie soundtracks and the snow fell lightly. When she arrived at Glenwood, Tiny Gressett was there not to welcome her.

‘Didn’t think it was today you were coming.’ He glanced at the desk calendar beside him.

Sure. ‘Wow. And that’s not even today’s date,’ said Ren, smiling.

‘No. You’re right there,’ said Gressett. He stared at her and she could see a late-breaking realization. ‘That was probably last touched by Jean Transom. There it is. January 12th – the day she left on vacation.’

Ren’s smile faded. ‘Well, that’s very sad.’

‘Yes, it is,’ said Gressett. ‘So, first of all, welcome.’

Gressett turned away and gestured around the room. ‘I know you’ve been here before, but the bathroom’s across the hall. Jean’s desk … which will be your desk … is right here, so you’ll be the first person people see when they come in.’

‘Let’s hope that doesn’t affect business,’ said Ren, picking up on the look that told her he wasn’t quite sure of the wisdom of the placement.

‘I’m here,’ he said, pointing to a desk almost behind hers, at a right angle and nicely out of sight of any visitors. ‘Todd’s there. Gun room is there. Coffee machine’s there. Bureau computer there. Secret computer there.’ He smiled. ‘Office supplies – on the shelves right beside you.’