Engaged with the Boss

Ash’s lips thinned into a straight line and his eyes narrowed at Devin. “This time, we don’t have a celebrity-seeking cop investigating. And we’re not kids ready to accept any answer.”

His chest tightened as Devin recalled the morning he’d learned his parents had been murdered. Guilt wadded like a fist in his throat and he had to swallow several times to clear it in order to speak.

He’d been out all night and sneaked back into the house only to find their bodies. Natalie had been standing in mute shock. If only he’d been there, he might have been able to stop the murderer and spared his little sister the horror.

Devin wished his brother Thad was there. As usual, Thad was off on a journalism assignment with no expected return date and limited ability to contact.

Jolie Carson, Devin’s executive assistant, appeared at his side with a cup of coffee. Just her presence helped to ease his discomfort. She’d been his best hire to date. Six years and counting, she’d stood by him, organized his schedule and his life to the point he couldn’t imagine functioning without her. He took the coffee mug from her. “Thanks.”

Devin took a sip of the coffee. Black, with a hint of cinnamon, just the way he liked it. “We aren’t kids anymore.” He set the mug on the desk and crossed his arms over his chest. “But that might make us more of a target.”

“What do you suggest we do?” Natalie’s eyebrows rose up her forehead. “Hide in our homes until the real killer is brought to justice?” She stood, her shoulders back, twin flags of color in her cheeks. “I’m not going to run scared just because some lunatic is out there. Twenty years is a long time. If he was going to make a move on any of the rest of us, he’d have done it by now. I have a job, as do the rest of you.”

Jolie stopped on her way out of the office. “She’s right. You can’t run scared or the killer wins.”

Devin scowled at Jolie. She propped a hand on her hip, her lips firm, her chin held high, daring him to contradict her in front of his family.

He’d have a talk with Jolie when everyone cleared out of his office. Her advice was usually sound and he valued her opinion, but she didn’t understand how dangerous the situation could get.

“Natalie and Jolie are right.” Craig stood, as well. “Much as I hate that we haven’t found the killer, we can’t live in fear. We have lives. We have a business to run.”

If Devin could, he’d lock his family up on the Kendall estate until the killer was found. He leaned toward telling them just that, but knew they’d fight him tooth and nail. The Kendall stubborn streak was strong in every one of them. It’s what made them successful. They didn’t give up and they didn’t run scared. Unfortunately, that didn’t make him worry any less.

The tension in his shoulders loosened and he sighed. “Just do me a favor, will you?”

His siblings and uncle waited before committing to the favor.

“Be careful. Watch your backs and don’t take anything for granted. If you see anything or anyone suspicious, let me or Ash know immediately. You can’t be too cautious.” His message was for all of them, but his gaze landed on Natalie.

She frowned. “I’m always careful. Just try to attack me and let’s see who ends up on his butt.” She waved him forward, her stance hampered by her slim-fitting skirt.

Jolie chuckled. “I’m scared.”

“Me, too.” Ash clapped his sister on her back. “Natalie is a black belt.”

“Training and defending are completely different.” Devin’s gaze darkened. Natalie was his little sister. He still felt responsible for her safety even though she was a fully grown twenty-six-year-old.

“I think he’s chicken,” Natalie confided to Ash, her gaze on Devin, a smile lurking at the corners of her mouth. “But I’ll let it slide this time. I’d hate to damage my favorite skirt.” She cocked her head at him. “Anything else, dear brother?”

“Yeah, I need that marketing plan by end of day. I suggest you get to work before the CEO fires you.”

She laughed. “Anyone ever tell the CEO he’s a pain in the butt?”

“That could be construed as insubordination.” Devin shot a wad of paper at her. “Get out of here.”

Natalie spun on her sensible heel and headed for the door, stopping long enough to ask Jolie, “We still on for dinner tonight?”

“You bet. I’ve been dying to try that new Hunan restaurant around the corner.”

“Me, too.” Natalie turned back toward her brothers. “And, don’t worry, I’ll have eyes in the back of my head.”

Craig buttoned his suit jacket. “I’m sorry this has all come up again. Your aunt Angela is beside herself with worry.”

“Like Natalie said, we can take care of ourselves.” Ash draped an arm over his uncle’s shoulder. “You and Aunt Angela have done so much for this family. I’m more worried about you than the rest of us.”

Craig and Angela had taken on the responsibility of raising the Kendall children upon the death of their parents.

“I beefed up the security at the estate,” Craig said. “I’m considering hiring a bodyguard, but Angela is dead set against it.”

Natalie paused in the doorway. “Can’t blame her.” She shuddered. “I’d hate having someone following me around, anticipating my every move. It would drive me nuts.” She glanced at Jolie. “Six o’clock, then. Bye.”

Jolie smiled and closed the door behind Natalie. She had her wavy red hair pulled back in a neat bun, exposing the long length and porcelain skin of her neck.

For a moment, Devin studied the way an errant curl bounced against her earlobe and wondered what she looked like with her hair down. She was somewhat plain in her soft gray suit with a proper slim-line skirt cut to the knee. Everything about Jolie was proper except her wicked sense of humor and her ability to tell him like it was. She didn’t pull her punches.

He liked that about her. Jolie Carson didn’t take any guff from him or anyone else.

“I’m out of here. Duty calls.” Ash, always assuming his role as the cop, headed for the door. “I’m still digging through the case file hoping I find something they missed. I’ll start interviewing witnesses again soon.”

“Can you keep us up-to-date on how it goes?” Devin asked.

“You bet.” Ash crossed the room and just as he reached for the door handle, Natalie crashed back in.

“You aren’t going to believe this.” She walked to the large television screen mounted on the wall, flicked it on and fumbled with the remote until she had a picture of the local district attorney at what appeared to be a press conference in front of the St. Louis courthouse.

A reporter pushed a mike in his face. “We understand the Christmas Eve Murders case has been reopened. What are you and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department doing to solve this case?”

The D.A. stood straight and looked directly into the camera. “As you all have heard, with the latest forensic evidence, the state crime lab was able to rule out Rick Campbell as the murderer. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has reopened and is actively investigating the case again. We’ll get our murderer.”

“Any guesses as to who might have done it?” another reporter asked.

“It’s too early to say at this time. Let the detectives do their work.” The D.A.’s eyebrows lowered, his eyes darkening. “But we’ll look at everyone involved with the Kendall family. As in the majority of murder cases, many times it’s someone close to the family, usually a family member who commits the crime.”

Natalie and Jolie gasped.

Devin, Ash and Craig all swore.

“That SOB. How dare he cast suspicion on the Kendalls.” Natalie’s cheeks flamed and her hands fisted. “I’d like to have a word with that man.”

Jolie shook her head. “Perhaps he’s after the publicity. Bashing the Kendalls is a sure way to get the cameras turned your way.”

“But why?” Natalie stared at the man on the screen. “He’s not up for reelection this year.”

“No, and he wouldn’t get my vote even if he was.” Devin flicked the television off. “Don’t let it worry you. They don’t have anything on any one of us.”

“Yeah, but the media will be following us, just in case they find some dirt somewhere,” Uncle Craig said. “If they don’t find dirt, they might just make something up to sensationalize a slow-news night.”

“Be extra vigilant with your safety and keep your nose clean.” Devin shot a stern look at his siblings. “Don’t get caught in a situation where you’re cornered by the paparazzi.”