“Thank you for coming,” she said.
"Was that Doug?" Rider asked.
"I'm afraid so."
“What the fuck was he doing here?” he asked, his tone anything but friendly.
“He must have followed me after all. Doug claimed he just wanted to let me know that he and the boss think there might be employee theft and to make sure I stayed vigilant in checking the inventory. I'm supposed to let him know if I spot any further issues. Trust me, that seemed like a bogus excuse to me, but I don’t have any idea what his real reason for coming could be.”
Grayson nudged Rider. “We should call Liam and Alex. They’ll be monitoring the camera that Paris planted.”
“Assuming he didn’t find it already,” she stated.
“Paris, please tell me exactly what happened with the camera,” Rider said.
She went through the series of events. “Jenna and I left early on purpose to make sure Doug wouldn’t come out and see us.” She also explained why their lunchtime attempt failed.
“Do you know if he has monitors in his office to let him know when the employees leave?” Rider asked.
“I’ve never seen any monitors, but maybe he can tap into them from his computer.”
Grayson leaned forward. “To throw out another possibility, is it possible that Doug has a crush on you? Has he ever asked you out or anything?”
“No." She explained that he didn't seem upset that Rider and Grayson had shown up either. "That doesn’t mean he isn’t interested in me. I have caught him checking me out, but don't worry, I've made it very clear that I don’t date coworkers.”
"He might be good at hiding his feelings." Grayson looked over at Rider. “I doubt he would have found out about us meeting with Paris, but if he had, he might be jealous.”
She shook her head. “We’ve been careful.”
“Or were we?” Grayson asked. “When we met you at the bar that first night, were any other employees there?”
Paris really hadn’t paid much attention. “I suppose so. It was why Jenna and I went there in the first place. We were hoping to pick up on a conversation or two about the company or about the drugs.”
Shirley came over. “What happened to the other man?”
“He left.” Paris nodded to the money on the table. “That’s for you.”
She smiled and scooped it up. “What can I get you two?”
Now that Rider and Grayson were there, Paris’ appetite had returned. A bagel alone wouldn’t do.
They each ordered a hamburger, and Paris added a Cobb salad to her meal.
“Coming right up.”
Grayson pulled out his phone and called Rider's friend, Liam. He quickly explained the situation. “Please tell me if the camera is still running.” About a minute later, he nodded. “Thanks.”
“Well?”
“The bumper camera seems to be functioning properly.”
Rider slipped out of the booth. “Can I borrow your keys?” he asked.
“Why?”
He dipped his chin. “I want to make certain that Doug didn’t put a camera on your car.”
Dread rushed through her. “Why would he do that?”