“Have a seat.”

Lucas grabbed the stack of files and papers sitting on a chair and set them on the floor, where they promptly tumbled over.

Alaina watched him, wavering between irritation and amusement.

The office she was standing in was a wreck. A monumental, colossal wreck. Papers everywhere, boxes stacked like building blocks—Alaina hadn’t been kidding when she asked if he’d just moved in.

Her gaze drifted to the man who was standing next to the now-empty chair, waiting for her to take a seat.

Lucas McGowan looked a little rough around the edges, too. His brown hair was on the longish side, with a slight wave to it. The ends curled around his ears, and it looked as though he had a permanent cowlick in the front. A couple days’ worth of stubble lined his cheeks and chin, the darkness there mirrored in his brown eyes. A crescent-shaped scar arched over his right eyebrow. He wasn’t tall, maybe 5’10, but considering Alaina was as tiny as an Olympic gymnast, he practically towered over her.

“You gonna sit?” he asked.

“I’ll stand.”

He shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

He walked behind his desk and sat, sweeping aside more papers so he could set down the folder she had given him. She watched as he opened the file, his eyes skimming the single sheet of paper.

“This is an obituary,” he said. “For a Noah Dans.”

“I’m aware.”

He looked up at her. “And that makes you…?”

“Alaina. Alaina Dans.”

He gave a slight nod. “You said he was killed?”

“He was.”

A slight frown creased his forehead. “This was local.” His eyes returned to the newspaper clipping. “Says he went to Aspen Falls High.”

“He did. And yes it was.”

“I remember this story.” His frown deepened. “And I don’t remember hearing anything about a murder case.”

She set her gloved hands on her hips. She still had all of her outdoor gear on, and she was getting hot, but she didn’t intend to stick around long. She just wanted to give this Lucas McGowan the file, ask him to find out who killed her brother, and leave. Besides, there wasn’t anywhere to hang her coat and hat if she’d wanted to remove them.

“That’s because the police refused to investigate,” she said frostily.

“Refused?” He gave her a funny look. “I know most of the guys on the force. That doesn’t sound like something they would do.”

“Well, they did.”

“What exactly happened to him?” Lucas asked. His voice was a little softer, a little more muted.

“He was killed,” Alaina repeated stubbornly. “And I want to hire you to find out who did it.”

Lucas closed the file and rubbed a hand across his jaw. “Look, I—”

Alaina’s purse was slung over her shoulder and she pulled it around to the front. She yanked one glove off and thrust her hand inside the purse, pulling out a black leather wallet a few seconds later. She fished out a handful of bills and dropped them on the desk, where they fell like confetti.

It was hard not to notice Lucas’s reaction as the hundred-dollar bills floated to his desk.

“What’s all that?” he managed to ask.

“Payment,” Alaina said. “A thousand up front.”

She could tell by the hungry expression on his face that she’d gotten his attention. Inwardly, she smiled.

Good.

His eyes were on the money that now littered his desk, but he made no move to pick up the bills. “So you said you think he was killed. Can you tell me what happened?”

“I don’t know what happened,” she said. “That’s why I need you. To investigate.”

He gave her an impatient look. “Yeah, I get that. But what were the circumstances surrounding his death? I remember reading about this, hearing about it, and can’t recall anything suspect about the incident. You think this was something else? Maybe bad drugs?”

“Drugs?” She couldn’t hide the horror in her voice. “Noah didn’t do drugs.”

“That’s what everyone says,” he said dryly. “Until they find out otherwise.”

“He was not using drugs,” Alaina said firmly. “And he did not OD.”

“Alright,” Lucas said, holding up a hand by way of apology. “There was a batch of bad stuff going around a little while ago. Just wanted to make sure that isn’t part of the equation.”

“It’s not.”

“How did he die, then?”

She flinched. The story had been all over town. There was no way Lucas McGowan hadn’t heard about it. And yet she still hesitated.

His gaze was cool and assessing. He pressed his lips together, then picked up a pencil and tapped it against the side of the desk. “I’m going to need as many details as you can give me if you want me to help.”

Alaina swallowed. She knew this, and yet it was still hard to get certain words out of her mouth. They felt awkward and heavy, like marbles rolling around on her tongue.

He must have sensed her hesitation because he picked up the file and held it out to her. “I don’t think I can help you.”

Panic bubbled up inside of her. Lucas McGowan was the only PI in town. The police had been useless, had pretty much dismissed her concerns and suspicions. If the guy sitting behind this desk, almost buried under files and papers and boxes, wouldn’t help her, who would?

She reached into her wallet and withdrew another stack of bills. Two steps brought her closer to the desk and she held out her hand, so close to his face she was sure he could literally smell the money she was holding.

“You always carry this much cash around?” he asked, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You’re like a walking ATM.”

She didn’t smile. She didn’t say anything.

“Seriously, where did you get all this cash?”

“You don’t need to concern yourself with where my money comes from,” she said evenly.

His expression clouded. “You didn’t rob a bank or something, did you? Mug someone, maybe?”

She scowled. “I earned every single one of those dollars.”

Lucas’s eyes were locked on the fistful of bills still clutched in her hand.

“Is this enough to get you started?”

He glanced at her, his expression unreadable. His irises were a rich brown, almost mahogany, and her mind immediately flashed to the coffin that was now her brother’s permanent home. She felt the tears building, beginning to pool in her eyes and she cursed under her breath as she rapidly tried to blink them away.

Something in his expression flickered. “This is important to you, isn’t it?”

Silently, she nodded.

He leaned back in his chair and sighed. “I really wish you were here to apply for the job,” he muttered.

He picked the pencil up again and twirled it between his fingers.

Alaina relaxed her arm, bringing the wad of cash she was holding back to her side. “Who are you looking to hire?”

He quirked an eyebrow. “Isn’t it obvious?” He waved his hand, gesturing to the mess surrounding them. “Someone to get me organized.”

She was silent for a minute, thinking.

“Fine,” she said. “If I help you out, will you take the job?”

He didn’t even bother trying to hide his surprise. “What?”

“You heard me,” she said. “I help here. And you help me.”

“Do you have any experience?” Lucas asked. “Not to be rude, but I sort of need someone who can take the bull by the horns and whip this place into shape. Organization isn’t my strong suit.”

She smiled thinly. “Take the bull by the horns? Nope. I’ll grab him by the balls.”

Lucas’s eyebrows shot up in surprise and he grinned. “Is that so?”

She nodded. “I run my own company, Mr. McGowan.” Her gaze swept over the tiny office. “Pretty sure I can handle this.”

His smile widened. “Well, alrighty then.”

“So do we have a deal?” She pocketed the money she was holding and extended her gloved hand. “I help you clean this place up and you help me find out who killed my brother.”

Lucas didn’t even hesitate. He leaned close and shot his hand across the desk.

“Deal.”