"Lean in, speak out, have a voice in your organization, and never use the word sorry."
Trish Bertuzzi

Before I went to sleep last night or this morning at 1:00 a.m., I texted Sam and asked if he could stop by the office at his convenience. I knew that I wouldn't get a response till he woke up today.

I arrived at the office five minutes early, which gave me time to set my things in my office, grab my notes, and get myself a cup of coffee before meeting with Benson.

Customarily, each day starts with Benson and I meeting to discuss the day's events. This morning, our meeting will be much longer. He desires to know all of my preliminary findings before instructing me further. I knock and immediately enter. I take my seat and patiently wait for Benson to acknowledge my presence.

He finishes writing, lays down his pen, and gives me his full attention.

"Cindy."

"Mr. Easton"

"Whenever you are ready."

I take a deep breath and begin to reveal my findings to Benson on the three companies that Easton Real Estate is looking to collaborate with on the Bailey Project.

The Bailey Project is a large plot of land in Borrego Springs close to the Borrego State Park. Benson is developing the land into single-family homes and luxury townhouses. The community will have business places like restaurants, a wine-tasting room, gift shops, a coffee shop, and a twenty-four-hour fitness club. It will contain a walking trail, a neighborhood fire pit, and a swimming pool. Faith, Benson's wife, worked closely with Benson when he hired Double Faced advertising to put together a full pamphlet of the community, commercial promotion, magazine, and newspaper ads.

They became close and fell in love. Their love only strengthened more when Faith's sister went missing for six months. During that time, Faith moved in with Benson and eventually moved her office here on the third floor of Benson's office building. They've been married for nearly seven years and have three exceptional children.

As I finish my report without interruption, I can see a mixture of emotions in Benson's eyes as he leans back in his chair. He is eerily silent for several minutes, mulling my words around in his creative mind. I sit and wait patiently. I'm accustomed to Benson's quirks when he's in decision mode.

He finally speaks and leans forward, placing his arms on his desk. I'm ready with my pen. "First of all, Bligh is out. The missing money is a huge red flag that there's something shady going on with the finances of Building by Bligh. I have no interest in dealing with them."

I nod and jot down that note.

Benson continues, "The missing foreman from Holland's Construction could be the guy who saw the writing on the wall regarding his behavior and skipped town. In the case of the murder at one of Big Dog Contractor's construction sites may be explained away as a random murder, or it might be related to the company somehow."

He pauses to reflect on his words before giving me my next assignment regarding these two businesses.

"Everything else with these two remaining companies suggests that they are up to par with what I am looking for in a business partner. I want you to delve deeper into the missing foreman and murder. Suppose you find that these incidents were not related to the companies, then I will make my decision. I don't have to tell you we have a strict deadline to begin this project. Please have your report ready for our morning meeting tomorrow."

With that, I know that our meeting has come to a close. I collect my things and stand to leave. As I reach the door, Benson calls my name. "Cindy."

I turn to face him. "Yes, Mr. Easton?"

"Thank you for your hard work and dedication. I know I don't express it enough, but I do appreciate you."

I smile. "I know, but it's nice to hear now and again."

I found out very early in my employment with Easton Real Estate that Benson only spoke when he had something important to say. His silence never bothers me, and I never take any of his cold actions to heart. He may seem aloof and uncaring, but he's the most generous and caring man to his friends and family. While formal in the office, Sam and I are good friends with Benson and Faith outside the business.

He nods, and I leave to delve deeper into the unfortunate incidents that decide who Benson will hire for this multimillion-dollar project. I feel an uneasy weight upon my shoulders. It goes as quickly as it comes. I shake it off—time to get to work.

My first call is to my father. He was a detective for thirty years in the San Diego Police Department. He taught me everything he knew, hoping I would follow in his footsteps. He always told me that I would make an excellent detective. He's my inside source for getting information on clients that I don't have access to on my own. I use my father for this information instead of Sam, first and foremost, because I always have. Another reason is that Sam is a current detective. I don't want him to get in a predicament for assisting a civilian. However, I want to talk to Sam about the murder investigation that he was the lead detective for on the case.

I picked up my phone to call my dad and saw that I had a text from Sam.

Hey, Babe. I got your text. I'm very intrigued, and you were very vague. I'll be over after I shower. I missed coming home to you last night. I can't wait for the weekend when you move in. Love you. See you soon.

I checked when the text was sent and knew that Sam would be here in a few moments. I decide to wait to call my dad and opt to grab a cup of coffee for Sam and me.

I get back to my office, and Sam enters a moment later. I give him a quick kiss and hand him his coffee. "Good morning, Love."

"It could've been a perfect morning." He smirks and winks at me.

"I'm sure it could've been." I give him another peck and walk to my chair behind my desk. Sam takes the chair across from me.

Damn, I have a fine-looking man. He's perfect. His grey eyes that turn green when he wears the color are sexy. He combs his brown wavy hair back away from his face. His chiseled jawline that houses a tight beard gives me butterflies as I imagine the bristles between my hands, and whoa, I need to stop right there as I feel a burning blush rising into my cheeks.

Sam laughs. "I want to know what thought went through your beautiful mind."

"I'm sure you would, but that's not why I asked you here today." I chuckle when Sam begins to pout.

"I'm vetting several construction companies to work on the Bailey Project." I have his complete attention because he knows that when I talk to him about vetting a client or possible business associate for Easton Real Estate, I'm about to ask him something important.

"What do you need?"

I love how we can go from flirting to a severe discussion in a heartbeat.

"One of the companies Benson is considering for the project is Big Dog Contractors."

As soon as I mention the company, Sam's eyes widen in recognition.

"The murder case." He states, and I nod. "That case was about two years ago. From what I remember, we didn't have much to go on. The few leads that we did have came up empty-handed. I'll grab the case file from the cold case unit for you tonight."

"Thank you." I stand, and so does he.

I place my hand on his shoulder to stop him from leaving. I walk over and lock my office door. When I turn back to him, he grins from ear to ear, knowing what we're about to do.

"I've been thinking about you bending me over my desk since you walked in," I say as I stalk towards him.

"So this is what the blush from earlier was about?" He asks as I slip out of my panties and pull my skirt up over my hips.

"Something like that." I bend over my desk, ensuring my ass is perfectly aligned as Sam works on getting his pants down.

After Sam left me quite satisfied, I called my dad.

"Hello, Sweetheart." I love my father's deep, gruff voice, which always has a way of soothing me even when I don't realize I desperately need it.

"Hey, Dad. How are you?"

"I'm good. I'm looking forward to seeing you this weekend. Has there been a change of plans?"

Dad had insisted on helping me move into Sam's this weekend. He's been with me for every move, and he refuses to miss this one.

"No change of the schedule of the times I gave you earlier. I do, however, need your assistance. I'm vetting two companies bidding on a contract with Benson." I apprise him of my reason for the call.

He gets right into detective mode. He's loved being included in my vetting process since he retired.

I give him all the details regarding my investigation and what I need him to look into. We end our call with me promising to email him my notes and expressing our excitement to see each other this weekend.

I take a moment to email my notes to my dad before typing Gregory Wallace into my search engine.