Page 76 of Diamonds in the Mud

To my surprise, she smiled. “I keep my real data on my phone not in my office or files now that I know someone has been breaking in.”

“Smart,” I admitted.

“I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Besides…” She reached over and brushed her fingers through my hair. “I have a secret weapon.” I arched my eyebrows in question. “You,” she said and then leaned over and kissed me.

Chapter Eighteen

“When we have graciously endured every adversity, we become like a shining diamond.”

–Lailah Gifty Akita

Rayne

I practically glided into my office the next morning. My body was still buzzed from its multiple releases the night before thanks to Jameson. We’d stayed awake all night together, talking about the case, about our lives, and, sometimes, not talking at all.

I’d never felt so much for someone so quickly before. There were times I felt as if he was already a part of me. Like he could understand everything I didn’t say out loud.

The only other person in life I felt that instant connection with was Aria. She was my soul sister. What did that make Jameson?

When I stepped into my office, I pretended not to notice the few things that had moved. To help me keep track of whenever someone went through my files, I had cleaned most of the clutter from my desk.

I logged into my computer and opened the camera app that I’d installed the day before. The small hidden camera in my office wasn’t technically authorized. I hadn’t even told Randy about it. Not that I thought he was the one going through my stuff.

I sat back as I watched Abe Sterling enter my office using a set of keys at one in the morning and start going through my files. Where had he gotten a set of keys from?

Glancing out my door, I pulled up the schedule and matched Abe’s work times with each time someone had messed with my files.

There were a few discrepancies in the schedule, but then again, most of us came and went when we wanted.

I began to wonder why a man who had been a police officer at the precent for over three years would hinder my investigations.

I pulled up his information in our system and scanned his work details and history. He’d been reprimanded a few years back but nothing more. After hitting a roadblock, I changed to his social media pages.

For the next few hours, I scanned every post, video, and photo. I would have missed it had Nadia Monroe not been fresh on my mind, but when I saw her in the background of one of Abe’s photos, I froze on it.

Once again switching gears, I pulled up Nadia’s social media posts and arrest records.

By the time I headed to Randy’s office, I was positive the two were either romantically involved or at least hanging out in the same circles. Which meant Abe was in tight with the Reapers.

When I got to Abe’s empty desk, I sat down and pretended to make a phone call. No one in the office even glanced in my direction as I pretended to look for a pen in his desk drawers.

Feeling frustrated upon not finding anything that stood out, I continued to Randy’s office.

“Got a sec?” I asked, poking my head in his office. I was slightly surprised when I realized he wasn’t alone.

A very attractive black woman sat across from Randy. The pair appeared to be waiting for me, which was very odd.

“Good, you’re here. I was just going to send for you. Have a seat.” Randy motioned to the empty chair.

I shut the door and sat next to the woman. I remembered seeing her before but couldn’t put my finger on where.

“This is DEA Supervisory Special Agent, Jasmine Thompson. Jameson is one of hers,” Randy said with a nod. “She’s here on official business.”

I nodded my understanding. “How can I help?”

“We’re getting ready to make our next move and I just wanted both of you to know that it might get a little messy,” Jasmine said, glancing between us.

“How messy?” I asked.