Tangled With A Texan

Even though she knew exactly who he was, it was important to her to establish who was in control.

“Jesse Stevens.”

He answered bluntly, without offering his hand. It seemed she was persona non grata. A tiny smile curled her lips. Good, she liked knowing she’d riled him from the outset. Holding the upper hand was always her chosen starting point.

“Ah, Mr. Stevens. I’ve been trying to get ahold of you. Didn’t you get my messages?”

A faint flush of color marked his cheeks. “I did.”

She maintained her silence while raising one brow at him. His flush deepened. Just then, the nurse who’d directed Zoe to Janet’s room appeared in the door and gave Zoe a stern look.

“Ms. Stevens needs to rest,” she said pointedly.

“Thank you, I’m just leaving. Mr. Stevens, can I have a word with you outside?” Zoe asked.

“One minute, that’s all.”

Well, we’ll see about that, Zoe thought to herself as she preceded him into the hallway outside his sister’s room.

“Is there somewhere we could speak privately?” Zoe asked the nurse.

The woman gestured to a small sitting room down the hallway.

“C’mon,” Zoe said to Stevens. “The sooner we get started, the sooner you can get back to your sister.”

Realizing he had no reason to object, he fell into step behind her. Once they were in the room, Zoe closed the door behind him.

“What do you want?” Jesse asked, his voice and stance both belligerent.

“Just need to ask you a few questions.”

“Ever heard of email?”

Zoe snorted lightly. “It’s a strange thing,” she said slowly. “We cops prefer to do things face-to-face. You can learn a lot about a person that way. So, tell me, why have you been avoiding me? Got something to hide?”

Anger flashed in his eyes for a moment before he visibly dragged himself under control.

“I have nothing to hide. What’s this about?”

“Vincent Hamm.” She threw the name into the conversation as if it were a gauntlet thrown in challenge.

“I knew him. What about it?”

“Been in touch with him lately?” she probed.

His gaze grew flat and cold. “Not for a few months. Why?”

“And when was the last time you spoke with him?”