Chapter 23
Neither of themsaid a word as they left the sixth floor. They made their way back to Cassie’s desk. Jesse went to her desk, got her purse, and ushered her toward the elevator. She wanted to question him, but his body language told her to keep her thoughts to herself for now.
They were the only ones in the elevator, but still, he remained quiet. Jesse hurried her into the passenger seat of his Mustang before taking his place in the driver’s seat. She was about to say something when he pulled out his phone and dialed, putting it on speaker while he backed out of his parking spot.
It rang twice before Craig answered. “Allen.”
Jesse got straight to the point. “Someone’s living on the sixth floor. Cassie and I were up there looking for files and discovered blankets, a pillow, and some clothes. We didn’t stick around to see if there was more.”
“Hold on.”
There was some noise in the background as they waited on the line. Jesse drove toward her mom’s while they waited.
She heard more noise through the phone, the sound of a door closing, then Craig came back on the line. “I’m putting you on speaker.”
“Jesse, what’s going on?” Blake Master’s asked.
“Cassie’s with me. I’m going to let her tell you, since she’s the one who stumbled upon it.” Jesse gave her a nod of encouragement.
She decided to jump in with both feet. “Remember I said I was going to look upstairs for the contract Jesse’s been looking for?”
He didn’t comment, so she continued.
“I haven’t been up there for a while, and I forgot how confusing it can be.” And creepy. She didn’t mention that, though. “I was coming out of the first storage room, on my way to the second when I thought I saw something, so I went to check it out.”
She hadn’t told Jesse how she’d found the sleeping area, so this was the first time he’d heard about it as well. “At first, I thought maybe some animals had gotten in there or something. Dragged some garbage in. But as I got closer, I realized it was a blanket.” She paused. “Then I saw the pillow and I decided I should get out of there.”
“Jesse, you saw this, too?”
“I did.” He paused. “I didn’t see anyone up there at the time, but there are a lot of hiding places. The person could have heard us and took cover.” Jesse took the exit off the highway, and she realized they were almost at her mom’s. “We didn’t stay long, but it looked as if whoever it is has been there for a while. They’ve been careful, though. Cassie was lucky to see the blanket. It’s tucked between two HVAC ducts.”
“I’ll go check it out as soon as we hang up here,” Craig said.
Jesse shook his head even though Craig and his dad couldn’t see him. “I’m not sure that’s a great idea.”
“We can’t have someone living up there, son. Not only is it a security risk but a safety one as well.”
“If Craig rushes over there, he might get lucky and catch the person in the act. But he might not,” Jesse said. “I think we should continue with the original plan. Put the cameras up as discreetly as possible and see what they tell us.”
Blake was quiet for a long time. Her mom’s house came into view by the time he broke the silence. “We’ll do it your way. Craig, let’s get those cameras up. Tonight.”
“I think that’s best,” Jesse said as he pulled into her mom’s driveway.
“I’m on it,” Craig said.
“Cassie?” Blake’s voice was softer this time.
“Yes, Mr. Masters?”
“I don’t want you going up there alone anymore. At least, not until we get this figured out.”
Jesse answered before she did. “Not to worry. She won’t be.”
Cassie stared at Jesse. She wasn’t sure if she should be happy he was acting so protective or upset he was speaking for her.
“Good. We’ll talk about this more tomorrow in my office.” With that parting comment, Blake and Craig disconnected.
Jesse turned off the vehicle, returned the phone to his pocket, and climbed out of the car. He opened her door and offered her a hand to help her out.
Cassie was still trying to wrap her head around everything that had happened in the last hour. Was the person homeless? Or were they there to cause trouble? Did the person have anything to do with the missing file? And what about the crazy accounting?
But what if it was all a coincidence and none of it was related? Someone could just be down on their luck, needing a place to stay, and it had nothing to do with the other issues going on.
She was so lost in thought, she was startled when Jesse’s lips brushed against hers. The feel of his mouth on hers brought her back to the present.
“There she is,” he whispered against her lips. “Stop worrying about what we found. Craig and my dad will take care of it. We have more important things to do tonight.” Jesse motioned toward her mom’s front door.
Right. Dinner with her mom and David.
Cassie nodded.
Jesse pressed another brief kiss to her lips, then wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her to the door.
Her mom must have been hovering. They didn’t even get a chance to knock before the door was flung open. Jessica Rourke stood, framed in the doorway, smiling. She extended her hand to Jesse. “You must be the man I’ve heard so little about. I can see why my daughter’s been keeping you hidden.”
“Mom.”
Jessica ignored her.
Jesse shook her hand. “Jesse Masters. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Cassie could almost see the hearts in her mother’s eyes. Jesse was winning her over and he hadn’t even stepped inside the house.
“Come in, come in. David’s putting the finishing touches on dinner. It should only be a few more minutes. I do hope you’re both hungry.”
“Starving,” Jesse said.
Cassie met his gaze, and she could see his eyes were full of amusement. He was getting a kick out of her mom’s reaction to him.
He gave her side a little squeeze as they followed her mom into the formal dining room.
She was surprised to find the room was empty. Well, not empty. But there was no sign of either of her brothers. She’d been sure Bradley would insert himself into the evening whether she wanted him to be there or not.
“That’s good,” David said, coming in from the kitchen carrying a large platter. “I think we have enough food here to feed an army.” He placed the food on the table, then turned to Jesse, offering his hand. “I’m Cassie’s stepdad, David.”
“Jesse Masters.”
After the introductions were over, they all took a seat at the table.
“So, Jesse, how did you two meet?” Jessica asked as they began to dig into the meal.
“I saw her across the room at a party and knew I had to introduce myself.”
“Oh, how romantic.” Her mom paused, her gaze drifting to Cassie. The grin on her mom’s face said it all.
“Your brother mentioned you work together?” David asked.
Of course Bradley had gotten his digs in even if he wasn’t there in person.
Cassie opened her mouth to reply, but Jesse beat her to it. “We work in the same building, but my office is on the third floor. Cassie’s is on the fifth.”
Jessica scrunched her nose. “Isn’t your boss’s last name Masters?”
Cassie swallowed. She knew this would come out sooner or later. “Yes. Blake Masters is Jesse’s father.”
* * *
Jesse watched as Jessica’s eyes went wide. He’d seen that look on Cassie’s face many times. Although her mom’s had an added element of calculation. Jessica Rourke was assessing him.
He wasn’t sure if she was focused on what him being related to the man who wrote her daughter’s paychecks meant, or if she was trying to calculate the balance of his bank account. Being Blake Masters’s son, he’d encountered both types of people. He didn’t know Cassie’s mom well enough yet to determine which camp she fell into.
“So you work for your dad?” Jessica asked.
“Yes. I’m running the accounting department.”
David nodded. “A numbers guy.”
“I have degrees in both finance and business administration.”
“Impressive,” David said. “Isn’t that impressive?” He looked at his wife, who had gone quiet.
Jessica nodded. “Yes, very impressive.”
When Jessica didn’t pick up the thread of the conversation, David continued. “So what do you like to do outside of work? Are you a big sports fan?”
Jesse let David lead the conversation in a different direction. They ended up debating whether Kansas City needed another professional sports team. Personally, he didn’t care. Sure, he enjoyed watching sports, but he wasn’t obsessed with it like some guys were. He’d rather play basketball than watch it.
Not that he had a lot of time to dedicate to sports. He worked out at least three times a week and tried to get a couple of runs in, as well. Other than that, he kept busy with work…and Cassie.
Jessica asked Cassie to help her carry the dishes into the kitchen. He started to gather up some of the plates as well, but Jessica stopped him. “We’ve got it. You’re a guest. Why don’t you and David head into the living room. We’ll be in shortly.”
Cassie gave him a guarded smile and followed her mom into the next room.
“Come on,” David said. “Let’s see what’s on the television.”
Jesse followed the other man into a modest living room. Everything was clean and well kept, but it wasn’t anything like his parents’ formal living room with its high ceilings and massive bookshelves.
“I don’t think my wife knows what to make of you.” David had turned on the sports commentary, his comment not matching his actions.
“In what way?” Jesse asked.
“Jessica wants Cassie to find someone who’ll make her happy. Who’ll take care of her.” David glanced over at Jesse. “She’s trying to decide whether you might be that guy, but she’s not sure.”
Before Jesse could decide how to respond to that, David continued. “Cassie’s been hurt in the past. I’m not sure how much she’s told you…”
He let the sentence hang and Jesse knew he was being tested. David may be Cassie’s stepfather, but he seemed to care about her. “I’m aware.”
David nodded. “She deserves someone who will cherish her.”
“Yes, she does.”
The other man held his gaze for a long moment. “What do your parents think of the two of you dating?”
Somehow Jesse wasn’t expecting this level of questioning from Cassie’s stepfather. Especially when he’d been so laid-back during dinner. “My parents like Cassie. While my dad’s aware of the potential pitfalls of perusing a relationship given our positions, he understands some things, despite the obstacles, are worth perusing.”
“Is that how you see it? An obstacle?”
Jesse wasn’t a teenager, and he knew a trap was being laid when he saw it. “Anything in life worth your time and energy has challenges one must overcome. Being the son of the man Cassie works for does present some interesting situations at work, but it can be navigated. I’m not one to shy away from something I want.”
He received another long, pensive look from David. “Did Cassie tell you how I met her mother?”
“Not the details, no. I know she was still rather young when her dad and mom divorced.”
David nodded. “Jessica worked for my best friend. I knew the moment I saw her that she was the one. The problem was, she was married to someone else.”
Cassie had implied her mom had started seeing David not long after her parents had separated, but he hadn’t realized something had been going on before that.
“I know what you’re thinking,” David said, pulling Jesse out of his thoughts. “Jessica was faithful to Cassie’s father until their divorce was final.” He paused. “As much as it frustrated me at the time, looking back, I understand her reasons.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Jesse was genuinely curious. David didn’t know him.
“I want you to understand where Jessica and I are coming from. We both believe love is worth fighting for, but we also understand that sometimes it isn’t easy. Cassie’s worked hard to make her way in life. She’s had her own setbacks.”
Did David know about Cassie being raped as a teenager? He had no idea. Cassie didn’t think anyone but Brie knew, but the way David said it, the look in his eyes, communicated to Jesse that David might know more than Cassie thought he did. And if David knew, then did that mean the other men in her family did as well?
Before Jesse could decide what to say next, David turned back to the television. Apparently, he’d said his piece, and he was ready to move on.
The sport’s commentator broke down the last game between the two teams and Jesse let his mind wander. He imagined Craig was already on site and hopefully installing the cameras. His dad was no doubt going through the footage they already had, and his urge to join in on the research was making his palms itch.
Then there was Cassie. He knew she’d been shaken today. She wanted answers as much as the rest of them.
Jesse’s gaze landed on the door that led to the kitchen. He couldn’t hear anything.
The commentators on the television droned on until they switched over to the game. Jesse was about to excuse himself to go find Cassie when the two women strolled into the room.
He met Cassie’s gaze, but it was unreadable. She sat beside him on the couch, and he reached for her hand, lacing their fingers together.
Jessica had brought cookies with her and offered them to him. He took one. “Thanks.”
Once they all had a cookie, Jessica sat down across from her husband. She ignored what was on the television and focused all her attention on Jesse. “How old are you, Jesse?”
“I’m thirty.”
She nodded. “And do you want kids?”
Cassie groaned.
Thanks to Cassie’s heads-up about her mother, he’d been prepared for this. “Eventually, yes.”
“Well, you know, it’s better to have kids while you’re young and can enjoy them, so I wouldn’t wait too long.”
He watched as all the color drained from Cassie’s face.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”