“Has there been a confession yet?” Grayson paced his kitchen, holding his phone to his ear as he waited for Eli’s reply.

“No, and it doesn’t look like there will be. Gabe Rogers lawyered up immediately.”

“Did he say anything about the kidnapping attempt?”

“According to the SEC, he hasn’t said anything at all.”

Frustrated, Grayson clenched a fist. “Then I want to keep guarding Claire.” When the only response was silence on the other end of the line, he pushed harder. “It’s necessary, Eli. At least until we know there’s no more threat against her.”

“All right. But only you, not a two-man detail. We need to get this case tied up soon.”

Grayson closed his eyes as relief flooded through him.

“But, Gray,” Eli said, his voice turning stern, “I had a conversation with Claire. She said you two had trouble getting along. Is this going to be a problem?”

He stiffened, clutching the phone tighter. “Absolutely not. We’re good now.”

“Make sure it stays that way. Since we don’t have another safe house available yet, will you take Claire back to your place, or will you stay at her parents’ house?”

“I’m not sure it matters now, but I think it might be best to stay at Claire’s condo. She’ll be more comfortable there.” Changing the subject, he asked, “Anything else I need to know?”

“Local law enforcement searched Rex Gibson’s place. In addition to the drugs we expected, they found a key to a safe deposit box.”

“At which bank?”

“We’re not sure yet. Let’s hope that once we find out and get a warrant to open the box, it contains something useful.”

Trying to organize his thoughts of the case, Grayson asked, “Have you heard from the lab about Jack Lawson’s car?”

“Not yet. I was going to check back with them this morning.”

“I can take care of it.” After ending the call, Grayson packed his duffel bag and left a note for Camden and Autumn, who were out shopping.

These past couple of days, he’d been unable to get Claire out of his mind. As much as he’d tried to deny it, there was chemistry between them.

But how would today go? The last time he’d seen Claire, she’d been in a state of shock.

* * *

When Grayson arrived at the Parker residence, a three-story Federal home in Georgetown he was pretty sure was on the National Historic Register, Claire’s father opened the door. About fifty, Thomas Parker was of average height and trim build, his dark hair graying at the temples. Just like the first time Grayson had met him, the senator was wearing a tailor-made suit and well-polished oxfords, a tiny American flag pin in his lapel.

“Claire had a meeting to go to but should be back shortly.” He gestured for Grayson to enter. “I was just about to pour myself a whiskey. Can I interest you in one?”

“No, thanks. I’m on duty, but please don’t let that stop you.”

“Sparkling water for you, then?”

“Sure.”

Grayson followed the senator as he walked toward a mahogany-paneled bar in the living room to the right. Thomas took the top off a crystal decanter and splashed amber liquid into a rock-cut glass. He snagged a bottle of sparkling water from the hidden mini fridge and handed it to Grayson as they made their way to the room’s leather club chairs.

Curious, Grayson took in his surroundings. The house was elegant, renovated to its former glory and furnished tastefully. It must have cost upward of $10 million, and yet the Parkers split their time between this house and their original home in Worcester, Massachusetts, according to Claire. Add Claire’s condo and the mountain property to the tally, and the Parkers were quite well-to-do. And that was just their real estate holdings.

Grayson wasn’t sure whether he should be intimidated or impressed. He decided on the latter, although being around wealth of this magnitude tended to make him uncomfortable.

Once they were seated, Thomas smoothed a manicured hand down his tie. “Do you have news about the case, Agent Matthews?”

“Grayson, please.” He explained the call he’d received from Eli. “Until we find evidence to confirm Gabe Rogers’s involvement in the kidnapping attempt, we’d like for Claire to remain under our protection.”

Claire’s father frowned and set down his glass. “You think she’s still in danger? I thought all that was over, so I didn’t hire private security.”

“I was afraid of that.” Grayson’s stomach knotted as he realized Claire hadn’t been protected the last couple of days. “Sir, all signs point to Rogers being behind the attempt, but there’s still no hard proof. It’s best we not take chances.”

“Will you be providing the protection yourself?”

Grayson nodded. “I’ll have backup for anytime I need to be elsewhere. Claire’s life has been upended for long enough, so we thought she might be more comfortable if she’s able to go home.”

Thomas offered his thanks and Grayson sat forward. Maybe the senator could offer some insight into the investigation.

“Have you ever received any hate mail?” Given the senator’s long political career, there had to be some.

“Nothing serious in a while, but there’s a file my staff keeps for that sort of thing. I can have a copy made for you.”

“That’ll be great. Is there anyone else you think we should look at in terms of potential suspects?”

Thomas leaned back in his chair, tapping a finger to his lip. “Someone does come to mind. A man named Eric Sewell.”

Grayson set his water on the small inlaid table next to him and took his phone from his pocket. “Eric Sewell?”

“Yes. He was arrested after heckling me at one of my speeches.”

Grayson paused his typing and looked up. “Arrested? Why?”

“He threatened me.”

“When was this?”

“Two years ago.”

“What was the threat?”

“Something about bombing my local office. He’d worked at a clinic in Boston that was shut down during my administration, and lost his job.”

“I’ll look into it.” Grayson finished inputting the info, then checked his watch. “When did you say you were expecting Claire?”

“Within the hour.”

Grayson nodded and stood up. “I’ll be back soon.”

Although the threat was a long shot since it was a couple of years old, he’d call the information in and then phone the lab. Whoever had put out the contract on Claire was also an accomplice in Jeremy’s murder, since he or she had hired the men who’d breached the safe house in another attempt to nab Claire.

And Grayson would leave no stone unturned to be sure everyone involved was brought to justice.