Marcus smiles at Charlotte, his eyes dancing with happiness as they eat by the Seine. The air is warm with new hope and the budding spirit of spring. France had been good to them so far. They secured the permits with the movie production team for the next big box office flick. It was rumored to have an A-list cast, which Charlotte was fascinated with. The locals were often accommodating as well, which was a welcomed change of pace since Egypt.

"You going to share some of that croissant?"

Charlotte shakes her head no and giggles at Marcus's request. They have both been playful with each other on this trip. It felt good, but she was equally apprehensive. Marcus had made it clear that he wasn't looking for a relationship. She told him the same, though now she is beginning to question that statement. They had gone from one assignment to the next in a matter of weeks. With minimal days off, if any. Marcus was definitely growing on her.

"That's not very nice," Marcus teased back.

His eyes glint in the sun as Charlotte quickly swallows the bite in her mouth. Something nudges her to touch him. Moving her slender fingers over his arm, Marcus tenses. Recognition flashes in his eyes and his hand covers hers. He dips his head and their lips meet.

Marcus.

Charlotte tossed in the bed as a loud ringing broke her dream.

She groaned audibly, sitting up and reaching for the phone on the nightstand. Why someone would call her this early she couldn't understand.

"Hello?"

"Charlotte, it's Zach. Am I waking you?"

He was, and she was having a wonderful dream to boot.

"It's fine," she sighed. "I'm just tired. Long night."

"Oh. Well I was wondering if you'd like to grab lunch?"

There was a pregnant pause as Charlotte contemplated the invitation. She had to find out where her bag was with her phone and wallet, and her notes. She would need those for the upcoming podcast.

"I wanted to introduce a colleague to you. The head of our security. He has intimate knowledge of the inner world at DIA. Thought you'd like to interview him or at the very least, get any questions you might have, answered."

The prospect was intriguing to her, she knew who the head of security was. He was the most rugged man Charlotte had ever seen, that she met under the airport while waiting for Zach. Maybe talking to him again wouldn't be so bad, she mused. She could at least ask him a few questions. And Zach wasn't aware they'd already met as far as she knew. Which was even better.

"Sure. I can meet you. Where do I meet you at?"

"Oh I can pick you up, if you'd like. So you don't need to navigate parking. Downtown can be madness midday."

Her mind flew back to the mangled car wreck she'd left hours before.

I could have died.

"Charlotte? You still there?"

"Yes. Yes, sorry. I'm here. Ok. Sounds good for lunch. What time should I be ready?"

They finalized plans then both hung up. Having committed to lunch wasn't exactly what Charlotte knew she should be doing today, but the game was still going. It was crucial she keep playing. She tried not to picture Zach behind her crash.

He surely wouldn't have orchestrated that, would he?

Getting up to shower, she heard a knock on her door. She padded over and peered out the peep hole. There wasn't anyone there. Hesitation gripped her fingers as she held onto the door lock. This morning was already off to a fast start, like it or not. She sighed, unlocking then opening the door. The hallway was empty but a plastic bag sat her feet. Picking it up, she peered inside.

My bag. And laptop.

Someone had brought her things from the wreckage. Quietly, she wondered if it was the sheriff. There was only about an hour until Zach would come to pick her up so she closed the door again and began to get ready. All the while, trying to piece together what happened to her in the last 24 hours. As she got into the shower, she theorized who had tried killing her. Johir was the obvious answer, and the most plausible. Thoughts of it being Zach did flash through her mind as well. But she sincerely hoped it wasn't him.

Finally ready to go, she gathered her things and made her way to the lobby. Zach waited in a sleek sedan right outside of the front doors. Taken aback, Charlotte exited into the late morning air. She hadn't pegged Zach as someone who would drive such a luxury car.

"Let me get that for you."

He hopped out and opened the passenger side door for her, a glean in his eyes. Dressed nicely, in business casual, Charlotte got a whiff of his cologne as the door was shut beside her. She had an inkling he thought of this as more than just a work lunch, and she wasn't sure how she felt about it.

"Ready?" he asked, pulling out from under the porte cochère into Denver lunchtime traffic.

"This is a very nice car," she remarked.

"Thank you. I got it in Italy."

Italy?

Charlotte wondered when he had been and how he had bought a car there. She was about to ask him why when he began talking again.

"My colleague, Liam, is a bit gruff. But he was around when the airport construction began. You can ask him anything."

"I'm looking forward to it," she replied. "It was unexpected though, your invitation."

Zach winced internally. He wanted her to trust him and she clearly had reservations, which hurt. He struggled to keep her in the box she was supposed to be in and it took a lot of willpower to get it together.

"I still consider myself at your service, and want to help you with anything you need in regards to the airport."

She extended her hand and briefly brushed against his, sending electricity shooting up Zach's arm.

"I know, thank you. I do really appreciate it."

The gesture shocked his system. This girl is going to be the death of me, he mused. It wasn't good.

He cleared his throat, "how is the investigation going?"

"Oh, good. There is a lot to deal with though, in regards to DIA. As you know."

Instead of answering, Zach focused on the road and finding them a parking spot. Nervousness began to seep in as he pictured Liam meeting Charlotte for the first time. He didn't like the fact he would be around her, stepping out of the shadows and into his world. Resigning himself to the new reality, he eased the sports car into a parallel spot.

As if on cue, Liam appeared from the passenger side, a small smirk on his face. His eyes met Zach's. Charlotte turned and noticed the rugged man opening her door. Her heart sped up involuntarily, thumping wildly in her chest.

"Hello. I'm Liam. We meet again."

"You've met already?" Zach asked, concern in his voice.

He beeped the car locked and watched the pair before him, hoping he had mistaken what Liam uttered to Charlotte.

"Yes. We met in the records offices the day you took me downstairs," Charlotte said, turning to Zach.

Now their eyes met. She could clearly detect a flash of surprise in Zach's. It had caught him off guard. That meant his colleague had failed to disclose they had met. This was interesting to Charlotte. And she couldn't deduce why he would do that. Unless they didn't like each other.

"Oh. You didn't say anything in the car," he replied to Charlotte, hurt in his voice.

Liam rolled his eyes. Zach was reacting exactly how he predicted.

"Shall we?" Liam said, ushering Charlotte to go before them into the restaurant.

Charlotte smiled, slightly tossing her hair over her shoulder as she made her way inside.

"What the fuck, why didn't you say you'd met her in person already?" Zach whispered harshly.

"You never asked."

Zach balked at the reply. Who the fuck does he think he is. He hated working this closely with Liam. He could have tolerated anyone, but him. But the boss made it clear. They were reluctant bedfellows.

"This is a nice place. I'm a bit underdressed," Charlotte exclaimed.

"Naw, you're perfectly fine. Just look at me," Liam grinned.

A waiter promptly appeared, bringing a carafe of white wine to fill their glasses. Both men declined but Charlotte welcomed one drink, as she wasn't driving. The tension obvious between the two men, she quickly thought to redirect the energy.

"I have a confession to make. I'm finding that my involvement in the airport conspiracies is drawing unwanted attention."

"What do you mean?" Zach asked.

"Yesterday I went to interview a former construction worker of DIA, outside of Denver, and was followed on my way back to the hotel," Charlotte said. "They followed me for miles on a small road. Then they caused me to wreck."

Both men appeared upset, and began to ask a barrage of questions. To Charlotte, it indicated their innocence in her being followed, at least she hoped.

"It was a sedan. A black BMW. But no, I didn't see the driver."

"How did you get back to Denver?" Liam asked.

"A bus stopped and this man with a flashlight came to me. He helped me out of the wreckage. Trinity Bus Company. They work for the airport, right?"

Both men glanced at each other. Fuck. This wasn't good.

"I.."

Charlotte's phone rang, cutting the conversation short. She looked at the screen and drew in a breath.

Marcus.