“That’s why you get paid the big bucks.”
He did pay her well, so she wasn’t going to say a word of complaint. “So Cresswell’s on the list of suspects as well as anyone who had access to that cocaine. I’ll check it out. What about Gabe’s security? You said that Lucien’s only on the case until you got his ‘actual’ security set up.”
“Gabe wants you.”
Molly frowned. “I’m investigating the case. I can’t be his security, too. I’d be stuck in his restaurant.” And in his home. Where he lived and slept and took showers. That the thought wasn’t unwelcome was... unwelcome.
Burke’s expression became suspiciously uneasy. “Well...”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “What did you do, Burke Broussard?”
“He’s going to investigate with you.”
Molly froze. “He’s what?”
Burke winced. “You heard what I said.”
“I did, but it’s not computing. He’s going to follow me around?”
“Basically?” It came out as a rather undignified question.
“Basically? Why? If he doesn’t trust me, he can hire someone else. I won’t be offended.” Except she would be. Gabe’s distrust was troubling. And that she was thinking I thought he liked me was making her feel thirteen years old.
“It’s not that. Well, not like you’re thinking.”
Molly reviewed the short meeting with Gabriel Hebert in her mind, then lurched to her feet when she remembered him worrying about her safety, the puzzle pieces falling into place. “He’s my protection?”
Burke winced again. “He thinks he is. He’s at the restaurant now, arranging for a leave of absence.”
“Burke.” She shook her head, slowly sinking back into her chair. “Why would you agree to such a thing?”
“I didn’t really, but I didn’t fight him because he’s his father’s son. He’s protective. And if it makes you feel better, he’d do the same if it were me. He’s worried that someone is going to get hurt and it’s going to be his fault.”
Molly rubbed her temples. “God save me from Neanderthal men.”
“He’s not a Neanderthal. Not any more than I am.”
She glared at him. “Not helping.” When he said no more, she sighed. “And if I refuse?”
He gave her puppy-dog eyes. “Please don’t refuse. I’m rearranging schedules so that you can call for backup if you need to go off and check out something alone.”
“Gabe’s going to allow that?” she asked sardonically.
Burke shrugged. “Just say you’re going to get your hair done. That’s what women do often, right?”
Molly laughed in spite of herself. “Yes, Burke, that’s something that women do. Some more often than others.” She sobered. “But I’m not going to lie to him. If it’s too dangerous, I’ll call for backup to stay with him, but he won’t be coming with me. That’s simply ridiculous. And dangerous.”
“I agree. I think he believes that your job is more exciting than it is. He said that he wants to see what investigating is like. When he sees that it’s boring, he’ll back off and go back to his own job.”
She rubbed her temples again. She didn’t believe that. “I suspect he’s more interested in seeing what his father did for a living.”
Burke looked stunned for a moment. “I didn’t think about that. You think he wants the connection with Rocky?”
She considered it. “Maybe that, too. What I really meant is that Rocky may have been onto something that got him killed. I think that Gabe wants to walk in his father’s footsteps to better understand what was so important that his father died for it.”
“Oh.” Burke’s lips pressed together. “I guess I’d feel the same way.”
“So would I,” she said glumly. “Difference is, we can take care of ourselves. We were cops. He’s a chef. I mean, I imagine he’s good with a butcher knife, but that might not be enough to save his life.”