“Those are the names they go by,” Julie said. “They live around here, hang out with geeks during the week, but they hang with a different crowd on Saturday nights.”
He looked around the room again. “What kind of crowd?”
“Slick, muscular guys,” she informed him. “The one who seems to be in charge of the group is Jeremiah. Jeremiah Moon or Dune. I kept getting a different answer on that. The guys wear designer suits, lots of expensive jewelry, and drive Ferraris.”
“How did you find that out?” he asked.
“I talked to a parking valet, too.”
“All in one night?” he asked, and she nodded. “And they offered this kind of information free of charge?”
“Yeah. I can’t afford to flash some cash after buying this dress. I’m investigating on a very strict budget.”
“How did you manage to get the staff to open up?”
“It’s all about having a common enemy,” Julie said, eager to explain. “Last night I noticed how poorly Mercedes and Tiffany treated everyone who works here. Bad attitude. Bad tippers.”
“When did you have time to notice this?” He had watched her intently and she had been focused on her assignment.
“I don’t know. I noticed how they spoke to the bartender or I heard the vicious things they said about a waitress. Anyway, I decided to act like I was looking for Mercedes and Tiffany so I could kick their asses.”
“And it worked?”
“It worked perfectly!” Her eyes shone with pride. “Everyone was more than happy to give me all the information I needed.”
“You did all this in one night.” He shook his head in wonder. “You are amazing.”
* * *
AMAZING. JULIE FELT HER cheeks heat. She didn’t want his opinion to matter, but it did. It was more important than what her friends or her boss thought. She wanted Eric to realize that she could be his equal. They could make a great team, if only he trusted her abilities.
Julie tried to hide how flustered she felt. She flipped her hair. “Tell me something I don’t know,” she said with an exaggerated drawl.
He paused for a moment, then looked uncertain. “Okay, how about this. I think I’m a bad influence on you.”
Julie scoffed at his words. “I didn’t get the vengeful bitch idea from you. I actually got it from a Sapphire book.”
“No, I wouldn’t have thought of a tactic like that, but I might steal it for a future assignment.” His smile faded. “I mean, I’m no good for you.”
Who would give him that idea? Did Perry say something? Or did Asia try to warn him off? She wouldn’t put it past them to tag-team him with a few choice words. Those two had their odd way of protecting her. “Who says?”
“Me.”
She frowned. “It’s not true. Not by a long shot. Why would you say such a thing?”
“Because I’m not a gentleman.”
Julie didn’t expect that answer. She absently noticed that he made no apology for it. He simply stated the truth.
“I’m not a hero, no matter what you think,” he added. “Hell, half the time I don’t feel like one of the good guys.”
She raised her hand for him to stop. “Now you’re just talking crazy.”
“I was like you once. I was optimistic, enthusiastic and ready to make the world a safer place.”
She wasn’t surprised. She still saw those qualities in him, even if he didn’t. “And now?”
Eric looked away and pulled at his ear. She found the awkward movement in such a sophisticated man rather endearing. Just when she thought he wasn’t going to answer, Eric said, “I only feel like that when I’m with you.”
Julie’s breath hitched in her throat and her heart skipped a beat. That was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever said to her and she didn’t know how to respond.
Eric glanced up and scowled at her. “Don’t romanticize it.”
Now that was the Eric she knew and adored. Julie bit her lip to prevent a smile. “I wouldn’t dare.”
“I’ve been a special agent for years and I haven’t made that much of a difference. Most of the time I feel like I’m sealing cracks to a huge problem that’s about to crumble.”
“But you’re out there, every day, ready to fight.” She knew that from how he worked the cases when he arrived at Gunthrie S&I. Eric’s actions showed he wasn’t in it for the glory or the adventure. He was there because he wanted to serve and protect.