Bailey: Independence #1 by Karen Nichols Page B

chatter and gossip.”
    “I don’t care about the normal crap. I won’t have her lied about,” he turned and went into his office, leaving the door wide.
    “When the boss dates an underling, there is always gossip and supposition,” Janet pressed firmly, taking a handful of folders to his desk. He’d continued to the dining area, her gaze sweeping the scene. She sighed. “I’ll keep an ear out.”
    She took the completed folders with her. Her boss had never brought a woman to his office. Not in a personal capacity. And he’d rarely had lunch with anyone there. He held business lunches at restaurants or one of the conference rooms. She placed a call to the cafeteria to clean up the dining area before diving into her work. He was lucky she liked Bailey, too.

Chapter Eleven
    Gabriel made it through most of the contracts that had been approved when Janet appeared at his open door. He looked up and slammed another folder to the pile.
    “I’m immune to your growls,” she shrugged and grinned. “We have company. The police are on their way up to speak with you.”
    “Shit,” Gabriel shoved against the desk but stayed in his chair.
    “Should I freshen my resume?”
    “You have a delightfully British sense of humor. Your resume is safe. It means they moved a lot faster than I thought and I was preoccupied and should have called them yesterday,” he exhaled slowly.
    “We have police issues?” Concern creased the admin’s face.
    “There was a murder outside the club Friday night,” he said simply. His secretary was one of the few people who knew about his other life outside the company. Mostly because she and her husband also enjoyed the eroticism in the play. “Let them come in,” he heard their voices down the hall. “But I want you to stay. I might need you to go with them.”
    If she was disturbed, nothing showed on her face when she stepped to the door and gestured the two women inside.
    “Mr. Garrett is expecting you.”
    “I just bet he is,” Lieutenant Natalie Templeton led the way, her features calm and controlled compared to her detective’s.
    “Janet is my admin,” Gabriel began evenly, not rising from his chair. “When did I become aware that Bailey O’Conner worked for the company?”
    “At lunch when you needed a tech person for the presentation,” Janet answered instantly, frowning from one to the other. “Mr. Garrett doesn’t know each employee and there are many he’s never personally met.”
    “Before Friday night, you have never spoken to or met Miss O’Conner?”
    “I already stated at the time, I didn’t know who she was, Lieutenant. And I would have placed the call to you as soon as I finished my last meeting,” he lied smoothly. “I can have Janet take you to her but I won’t have her terrorized because your detective doesn’t grasp her choices. I’m also asking Janet to remain with you when you speak with her.”
    “Not you?” The detective sneered.
    “My presence would certainly guarantee you answers, but that’s not all you’re after, is it, detective? You’re looking for something that isn’t there.”
    “Go wait in the car, Casey,” Natalie said softly. “She isn’t a suspect and doesn’t deserve to be treated like one.”
    “I’m your partner.” Stunned disbelief hinged with anger flared to life on her face.
    “Who needs to learn that the lead does just that - lead,” Natalie looked at her without backing down. “I’m heading the investigation and I’ve decided you’re a little too bias for some reason. I’ll talk to her and give you the notes.”
    “I’m sure you’ve already spoken to the driver,” Gabriel said when the detective stomped out of the office. “Whoever killed the girl would have had blood all over them.”
    “She isn’t a suspect, Mr. Garrett. But the box she received is suspect.”
    Gabriel winced slightly, one palm up and on his neck.
    “I did speak with her quite extensively at the club that night. Bailey sees