More Than a Mission - Caridad Pineiro [6]
Promises. She knew just how often they got broken. But he had a point—she needed a bartender. The past few nights had been horrendous as she tried to cook while at the same time helping out the wait staff with the drinks. “It doesn’t pay much, but tips are generally good. If you get here by five, dinner’s included. You can start tomorrow.”
He smiled and held out his hand to seal the deal. She hesitated before she shook it, and he said, “To new adventures.”
“I’m not the adventurous type, Mr. Rawlings,” she replied, hoping to make it clear that she had no interest in anything he might propose.
His grin broadened. “Aidan, please. And, Ms. Moore—”
“Elizabeth. All my employees call me Elizabeth,” she corrected and pulled her hand from his since it was starting to feel rather warm. Again.
“Elizabeth,” he said and took a step toward her. “I think it’s going to be quite an experience working together.”
She suspected he was right. “See you at five, Aidan. And while the suit is…nice, a white shirt and dark slacks will do.”
With that, she turned and walked into the building.
“Score one for the Mixmaster,” Aidan heard in the earpiece as he headed for the street.
“Told you she couldn’t resist my charm,” he replied and hurried back to the hotel, eager now that it looked like the investigation might finally get under way.
“And here I thought it was those drink recipes I was feeding you, only…How did you know about the sloe gin?” Lucia asked.
“You never go into unknown territory without doing your research, Cordez. So I did a little fact-gathering on this town. Did you know that…” As he walked, he recited the details that he remembered, being careful not to be noticed whenever he walked by someone.
He was back at the hotel within ten minutes and found that besides Lucia, Walker Shaw, the Lazlo group’s psychiatrist, waited for him in the suite, as well. “What brings you here?” he asked and patted the other man on the back in greeting.
“Snazzy,” Walker said as he perused Aidan’s clothing.
Aidan held out his hands. “The lady fell for it.”
“Well, that’s good. At least there’s some progress going on here.” The frustration was apparent in Walker’s demeanor. “We haven’t been able to do anything yet with the information Zara and I found. So for now, we’re relying on whatever details the two of you manage to get.”
“Not too much pressure,” Lucia quipped and handed Walker a piece of paper.
It was a copy of the list she had provided to Aidan yesterday. Walker examined it and then looked up at him. “Seems like we’re on the right track. It’s just too much coincidence that Elizabeth Moore turns up in a lot of the same spots as the Sparrow.”
“Including Rome,” Lucia added nervously, shooting a half glance at Aidan after she said it.
“What?” He ripped the list from Walker’s hands and quickly read until he came to the date and location of Mitch’s death. Beside it was a new entry indicating that Elizabeth had been in Rome as part of a contingent for the Silvershire Tourist Board.
“When did you find this out?” He jabbed the air in Lucia’s direction with the paper.
“Late last night.”
“What?” he repeated, his voice a little louder than before. “Why didn’t you say something before I went to see her?”
Lucia shook her head. “Duh. I didn’t think it would accomplish anything besides getting you angry.”
“Angry? You’re right that I’m angry. You’re part of my team and you withheld vital information,” he nearly screamed at her.
“Because you’re totally capable of compartmentalizing your emotions to maintain neutrality about this job?” Walker said facetiously. He, more than any of them, knew how hard Mitch’s death had been on Aidan, who blamed himself for making the decision that the two of them should split up. He had been as responsible for Mitch’s death as the Sparrow.
“Cut the psychobabble bullshit, Walker. I understand the nature of the assignment.”
“Which is to find Prince Reginald’s killer. Period.” The other man’s tone brooked no disagreement.
Aidan knew that on one level, Walker