Chapter 6 The Suspect List

• Felix
• Speaking of tempting...
• “What are you wearing?”
• Kelsie practically bounces down the stairs in a blue plaid skirt that comes down right above her knees with a light blue button up shirt with the first two buttons undone. I can see a hint of her collarbone and silver necklace that she always wears. She’s wearing white converse and black knee high socks. Oh, and did I mention that she’s wearing her hair in loose pigtails? It’s definitely a cliche but doesn’t every guy have a schoolgirl fantasy? Well, I definitely have one now.
• She frowns. “I know. I look ridiculous. Apparently this is the uniform. Found it in my suitcase with a note from Ivers on it.” She drops her backpack on the counter and sits down at the island.
• My tongue feels like lead in my mouth and I’m afraid to speak only to sound like a bumbling idiot. I never knew what I needed until I saw Kelsie in that uniform. She’s my partner but damn. I was so aroused last night that I actually had to rub one out in the shower thinking of Kelsie and her low cut shirt as she leaned over the peninsula. I fantasized about throwing her down on top of it and fucking her right there over the damn case file. Now I’m imagining lifting up her pretty little skirt. I wonder what color panties she’s wearing... lacy pink like her bra last night?
• She sighs and puts a piece of bread in the toaster. “I mean, who even has school uniforms anymore? So stupid...” she mutters and I’m thankful Pleasant Grove still does. I didn’t even know she was still talking, I was so distracted.
• Finally, I find words that aren’t crude or completely inappropriate. “You’ll definitely fit in. Are you nervous?” I must steer the conversation from the way her ass looks in that skirt. I can’t help but stare at it as she faces the toaster. She lets out an adorable squeak of surprise when the bread pops out and I do everything in my power not to sling her over my shoulder and drag her to my bed like a caveman.
• She looks over her shoulder and grins at me. “You know what, I actually kinda am. I know I’m not really going to school but I’m definitely nervous about it. I mean, what if I fuck up?”
• “Language.”
• She rolls her eyes. “Of course... dad.”
• I grin back at her. “You mean, daddy.” It started out as a joke, but I’m starting to seriously wonder if it is anymore.
• “Never happening.”
• Challenge accepted.
• Kelsie eats a piece of toast and has a glass of orange juice as fast as I’ve ever seen someone eat. She slings her backpack over her shoulder and looks to the door. I can’t help but frown. “That’s it?”
• She looks at me quizzically.
• “That’s all you’re going to eat?” No wonder she’s so damn small. The girl barely eats.
• She shrugs. “I don’t usually eat in the morning.”
• My frown deepens. This isn’t going to fly. My partner needs the energy that a good breakfast will undoubtedly provide. I look into her eyes for a moment and decide that this is a fight for later. Right now, she needs to get to school and I need to get to work. We don’t have time to bicker about this. With a reluctant sigh, I rise from the peninsula. “This conversation is not over.”
• Her eyes briefly widen before she schools her features and nods curtly. Good girl. She sees the value in letting this conflict slide until later. I follow her to the door, trying my hardest not to stare at her ass, and failing, and grab the keys to the Chevy off the hook by the door. She looks up at me expectantly and I pat her head once before I open the door. She rolls her eyes and steps outside toward the truck. It’s early but the sun is out and I can tell it’s going to be a hot day. I instantly feel a little bad for Kelsie since her uniform looks heavy and hot, and not in the previously mentioned good way. She struggles to hop up into the truck and I stifle a laugh. She shoots me a look and finally makes it with a slam of the door. I round the hood and sit next to her in the driver’s seat. I start the truck and the air conditioning blasts us with hot air before it slowly starts to cool.
• She glares at me with her arms crossed over her chest. “Don’t laugh at me.”
• I can’t help but smile. “I wouldn’t dream of it, sweetheart.”
• She grumbles something I can’t hear but I assume is definitely insulting and we’re off. I back out of the driveway and start off down the Main Street toward the school. It isn’t far. I look over at Kelsie and see her taking in our surroundings. Smart girl. It’s best to know your environment, especially in an undercover situation. You never know what piece of information will be useful so it’s best to catalog everything for future reference.
• Finally, I pull up at the school. It’s a good sized brick building. I see Kelsie raise a brow and snort. For a school, it’s definitely cliche and retro with a large clock above the double door entrance and a proud American flag waving off the flagpole out front. I pick up her hand and squeeze. “Good luck on your first day honey. Daddy loves you.”
• She frowns before leaning in close. She gives me a kiss on the cheek, using it as cover to whisper “bastard” in my ear. She plants on a fake smile. “Love you too dad!” Before I can say anything else, she’s already hopped out of the truck and is heading for the school. I chuckle to myself and drive away. She’s so damn feisty. So adorable.
• Damn. I’m definitely in trouble.
• Good thing I have enough to think about already with my new ‘job’. It doesn’t take long for me to pull into the parking lot of Jackson Construction, owned by local Laurence Jackson. I park the car and exit, locking it as I walk up to the construction site. I already know who Laurence is before he even introduces himself. He’s a good looking blond man with a striking presence. He practically makes a beeline for me with his large outstretched palm.
• “I reckon you must be Holden Montgomery. Martin told me all about you and your little girl. Welcome to Pleasant Grove.” He smiles at me with suspiciously perfect teeth for a town like this. He’s a few inches shorter than me but he’s puffing out his chest and straightening his shoulders, clearly showing me he’s the boss. That’s fine. Let him think that. There’s something in his smile though, and I’m not liking that it seems to be because he mentioned Kelsie.
• So instead of voicing my suspicions, I smile widely and shake his hand with enthusiasm. “Thank you. My little Kels and I love it. It sure has its charm and that’s something the city simply can’t provide.”
• I smirk to myself. Boy, Kelsie would kill me if she heard me call her Kels. I can just picture the cute little way her nose would scrunch up in anger or how her face would flush. Damn. Like I said earlier. I’m in trouble.
• “I heard she’s quite a handful.” He chuckles and shares looks with the other men who show up behind him. I instantly recognize Martin and I have an idea who the other two are.
• “Wilson Smith.”
• “Matteo Rodriguez.”
• I was right.
• I nod in acknowledgement and answer Laurence’s statement. “That she is.” I shake my head slowly with a grin on my face.
• Matteo steps forward. “My little Alexis can get the same way, she’s just like my wife.”
• They all laugh and I can’t help but feel left out. Like there’s something I’m missing. As someone who doesn’t like to be left in the dark, this doesn’t sit well with me.
• Wilson notices the look of confusion on my face and tries to explain. “Forgive us Holden. Things are just done differently here in Pleasant Grove.” There’s an odd look on his face and what he tells me doesn’t clear up anything.
• I’m still helplessly confused as the men laugh and lead me further into the site. Hopefully Kelsie is having better luck at school. They take me further into the office building that’s in progress. I’m instructed to help Matteo sand down the wood that they are going to use for the scaffolding. It’s pretty easy, I’ve been sanding wood since I was a little boy, but I don’t complain. A measly task like this one will allow me to focus on my real job. Collecting intel.