Say Goodbye (Romantic Suspense #25) by Karen Rose

            His hands dropped immediately to his sides. “But I did hurt you.”

            She missed his touch, just as immediately. “Not physically. And not on purpose. Because you are not your father, Tom Hunter, and you never will be.”

            He opened his mouth, then closed it again. It appeared he had no argument left. “Thank you.”

            “You’re welcome, but I only speak the truth.” She paused a beat, then asked, “How did you know I’d gotten the job? If you thought I hadn’t told Raeburn, he didn’t tell you.”

            “I have access to Sunnyside’s employee database. It’s how I knew there was an opening.”

            “And how you identified Penny Gaynor as approachable.”

            He nodded once. “I was filling in that hole that Pebbles dug under the fence when I got an alert on my phone that the database had been updated.”

            That explained his dirty clothes. “And I’ve been added.”

            “Yes. They’ve done extensive background checks on you. They’re still searching.”

            She lifted a brow. “Did they find anything that connects to you?”

            “No. I did a deep check of my own, just to be sure that I knew about anything that was out there that could compromise you. You have no social media presence and no property registered to you, so that helps a lot. You’re in the white pages, but there is no phone number or other mineable information. They have a copy of your military record. It’s a damn good record, Liza.”

            “Thank you,” she whispered. “That means a lot.”

            “I’m proud of you. I just wanted you to know.” He cleared his throat. “When do you start?”

            “Tuesday morning.” She hesitated, then asked, “Were you following me yesterday?”

            He paled. “No. Did someone follow you?”

            “Yes. I was driving Karl’s SUV. He keeps one at the apartment where I’m staying. I wasn’t driving my Mazda, so they can’t trace me to you.”

            “You think that’s what I care about? Them tracing you to me? Really?”

            She shifted uncomfortably. “No. But I thought you should know.”

            His chuckle was bitter. “Oh, so now you’re telling me things I should know? Thank you so much.” He shook his head and squared his shoulders. “Text me your new address. I’m not planning to drop by. I promise. I’m going call my boss to get you protection there in addition to the protection we’re providing outside the Sunnyside gate.”

            She wanted to tell him that it wasn’t necessary, but that would be wrong. It was necessary, if only to protect those she cared about. “All right.”

            He hesitated a moment more. “Did I . . . did I push you into doing this?”

            “No, Tom. You did not break my heart so thoroughly that I did the first cockamamie, self-harming thing that I thought of. I accepted this job because I thought I could help. Because I needed to help my friends. Not because you don’t love me.”

            He flinched at her blunt words but then nodded. And then he was gone.

            When Liza left the garage, Mercy was leaning against Rafe’s closed door, waiting for her. “You okay?” she asked quietly.

            Liza managed to nod. “He was annoyed because Pebbles dug a hole under the fence and I forgot to tell him about it. He was worried that she’d gotten out.”

            Mercy wasn’t buying it but had the grace to pretend that she was. Saying nothing, she held open her arms, and Liza took the hug. Took the comfort.

            “It’ll be okay,” Mercy murmured into her hair. “Somebody told me so this morning, so I’m having faith that it’s true. You should, too.”




GRANITE BAY, CALIFORNIA

            SATURDAY, MAY 27, 8:00 P.M.

            Something was going on at the Sokolovs’ house. DJ was certain of it. He’d taken a break from his search for Kowalski when he’d noticed the SUVs driving back and forth. There were three different vehicles, none of which he’d been able to trace back to their owners. Each SUV had made at least two round trips, all spaced a few hours apart. The windows were so heavily tinted that DJ hadn’t been able to get a look at the driver or the passengers.