The Wrong Side of Dead by Jordan Dane Page B

for Seth Harper is none of your business. And he’s just a kid, for cryin’ out loud. Like I said before, I consider him a friend.”
    “He’s not that much younger than you, Ms. Beckett.” He stopped and heaved a sigh. “I’m sorry. As you say, it’s none of my business.”
    Jess wasn’t sure she was more concerned about the fact he’d done his homework on her age or that the man had speculated on a relationship between her and Harper. And she got the distinct feeling he wouldn’t approve. The man was damned protective.
    Glancing toward the window, Humphries looked lost in his memory.
    “Seth may look young, but he had to grow up fast,” he said. “And he’s quite practiced at keeping secrets, but I often wonder what personal price he’s paid for that privilege. Forgive me if I’ve overstepped.”
    “So you’ve known him for a long time?”
    “Long enough,” the man replied, reaching his tolerance for her prying. “I wanted to meet you…and to tell you I will assist if I can, now that he’s asked for my help. But beyond that, I won’t betray his confidence. I hope you understand.”
    Harper sure had a way of garnering unflinching loyalty from his friends, if Humphries could be counted as one. She had no idea how this man fit into Harper’s life, yet he clearly held her boy genius in high regard. She saw it in his eyes.
    “And I hope you understand, Mr. Humphries. Just because you have limits to what you’ll share about Harper doesn’t mean I won’t find out what you’re hiding. You’ve drawn a line in the sand where your cooperation ends, but as far as I’m concerned, areas marked as off-limits only make me more curious.”
    He pursed his lips and clenched his jaw, keeping his annoyance in check.
    “Tell me, Mr. Humphries. Were you aware of Seth’s connection with the murder victim, Amanda Vincent?” By the disapproving look on the man’s face, she knew what his answer would be.
    “Yes, I was. But like I said, I won’t betray his confidence.”
    She smiled.
    “I may not have known Harper as long as you, but for a guy who likes his secrets, I have a hard time believing he’d confide in you about her. You don’t look very open-minded when it comes to drug-addicted hookers.” When Humphries grimaced at her choice of words, she backed off the attitude. “The truth is, I would have been concerned for him, too.”
    He clearly did not approve of Seth’s involvement with Mandy. And she couldn’t blame him. But how far would he go to protect Seth from himself? And what about the man with the real clout, the one Humphries worked for? Did he feel the same?
    “Yes, well, I think we understand each other. Here’s my card.” He handed her his business card with a sad expression on his face. “I know I have no right to ask this, but I’d appreciate a call if you learn something new.”
    “I can’t make any promises. And I won’t betray his confidence either.”
    “Have a good day, Ms. Beckett.” In civil fashion, Jonathan Humphries gave her the boot.
    Perhaps he only wanted to meet her, to size her up for himself. She wasn’t complaining. His curiosity had given her the same opportunity. And having one more link to Harper got her closer to answers. She headed for the door to his office, but something made her turn around.
    “There is one thing.” Jess had no idea why she was in a sharing mood, but something in the way Humphries talked about Harper warmed her up to the notion. “The police took a blood sample from Seth that might help his case. Getting a quick turnaround on that tox screen sure wouldn’t hurt.”
    She shrugged and left the man’s office without waiting for a response, heading back the way she’d come. But when she walked by the door to the small-yet-spotless break room, she noticed an employee bulletin board and wandered in to check it out, playing a hunch.
    Humphries struck her as someone who would take his job seriously, going above and beyond his normal duties