Formula for Danger

She could barely remember that Naomi drove a Lexus and Aunt Becca drove a pink Cadillac. “No. I didn’t get a good look at it.”

“That’s too bad.”

The disappointment on his face made her spirits sink a fraction. She racked her mind, but couldn’t remember more than a flash of chrome. Or was that from the first car that had passed her?

“Why are you here?” she blurted out. She wanted him here, but felt shy about telling him so, and it came out awkwardly. She’d never be as smooth with her words as Naomi or Monica.

“I went to your house this morning with a report for you about the greenhouse,” Edward said. “Don’t worry, I also spoke to your father about it. To reassure him.”

Had he thought she couldn’t relay the information herself accurately? Or had he wanted to spare her and instead put himself in the line of fire—her father’s detailed grilling? Edward’s closed expression couldn’t tell her anything.

She opened her mouth, but the words didn’t form. I’m glad you’re here but you didn’t have to tag along sounded ungracious, and her mixed emotions seemed perversely paradoxical today.

He was obviously reading her mind, because he said, “Don’t worry, Rachel, I’m glad I was there when you called and could see for myself that you’re okay.”

His words made a smile rise to her face. “Thanks.”

“There’s Horatio,” Aunt Becca said. She and Rachel’s two sisters walked toward a car in the distance, waving their arms.

Edward glanced at their backs and leaned closer to Rachel. “I do want to ask a favor, however.”

“What?”

“I want you to come with me to talk privately with your father.”

Privately? “About what?” she asked, bewildered.

He glanced at her mangled bike. “About protection. For you.”

“For me?”

“You’re not safe. Someone may be out to kill you.”

Edward followed Rachel into her father’s study. Augustus Grant looked up quickly from his desk, and his body seemed to relax at the sight of her striding into the room with only a barely noticeable limp.

He navigated his wheelchair from behind the desk toward them.

“You don’t have to move, Dad—”

Augustus grasped her arm and pulled her down to embrace her tightly. It seemed to surprise her, from the start she gave and the pink in her cheeks. “I’m fine, Dad.”

“Well, what did you expect me to think when you call home talking about ‘riding your bike’ and ‘car’ and ‘accident’?”

The man had a point. If Edward had received that kind of phone call, he’d have expected Rachel to come home looking more battered than she did.

“Edward.” Augustus extended his hand to him. “Thank you for going out there for me.”

Augustus’s grip was still weak, but much firmer than it had been a few months ago. He seemed to be progressing steadily since the stroke.

“It was no trouble.”

Rachel rolled her father to the fireplace, and she and Edward settled into chairs. Augustus settled back and rested his hands at his stomach, his gray-blond hair catching the light from the open windows.

“Augustus, I wanted to run an idea by you to get your opinion.” And his permission, although Edward would find a way to go through with his plans even if Augustus protested.

“Dad, for the record, I don’t think Edward’s idea is necessary,” Rachel said.

The older man cocked his head in question.

“There are two things about the greenhouse break-in that bother me,” Edward said. “First, the man—or men, because I think there were at least two of them responsible, were professional enough to dismantle a very sophisticated security system. Second, they not only trashed the plants, I think they stole a handful of them. We’re a few short.”

Augustus frowned thoughtfully.

“And there’s no way the thief knew the computer belonged to Naomi and not Rachel. Rachel had been carrying it and it had been stolen from her.”

A deeper frown.

“Then the accident today—”

“You can’t assume it was deliberate,” Rachel interrupted. “This is Sonoma, with a winery on every corner. It’s entirely possible it was a car full of tourists who were imbibing a little too much.”

“This early in the morning? Most wineries don’t open until 10:00 a.m.”

Rachel opened her mouth, then closed it again. With her usual candor, she relented, “You’re right. I don’t think it was drunk tourists, either. But I also don’t think I need the kind of protection you’re suggesting.”

“Protection?” Augustus asked.

“All these things happening makes me think someone is after Rachel’s research…and maybe her life,” Edward said.

Augustus nodded. “Although I’m not sure why they tried to hurt her. All they have is a basil plant, not the scar-reduction cream itself or the formulation for it.”

A shadow crossed Rachel’s face, and Edward thought he could read her mind—Except that they might have the formulation, in which case they don’t need me.

“If they were only trying to injure me, not kill me, it would set back development enough for a rival company to release their own scar-reduction cream,” Rachel said.

“Regardless of whether they were trying to kill you or injure you, you need protection so they can’t do it again,” Edward said. He turned to Augustus. “I want to stick close to her for the next few days.”

“I think it’s unnecessary,” Rachel said. “I’m perfectly safe inside the spa. There are card-key locks on the doors, security cameras surrounding the perimeter of the building so no one can approach without being filmed and two security guards on duty at all times.”

“Which was why you were mugged right outside the back door?” Edward pointed out.

“I think the guards will be more aware and that won’t happen again.” But Rachel’s cheeks flushed and she looked away from him.

He wondered if the real reason she was putting up resistance was because she didn’t want to spend time with him. They’d been cool and polite to each other, but closer quarters might be too awkward. Nevertheless he had to do something to protect her, no matter if she didn’t want him to.

“What about driving to and from the spa?” Edward asked. “Half the time you drive separately from Naomi and your aunt Becca because you need to stay late to work.” He couldn’t help himself—his voice had an edge to it when he mentioned her work.

Augustus cleared his throat. “Rachel, would you leave the two of us alone?”