Waters Run Deep by Liz Talley

corner. “Someone left a note this morning, along with a dead bird.”
    “A dead bird?”
    “Birdie.”
    He paused. “This is escalating.”
    “Maybe. Nothing for weeks and then as soon as we get here, we get a bump. Whoever’s responsible is here. Part of the crew.
    Or the talent.”
    “Bump is right. No clue what’s beneath the surface, but it has big teeth and likes to play. Damn.” For a few seconds, he said nothing. “Okay, guess I’ll send Jimmy down to help.”
    “Might be crowded. Locals are on the case.”
    He sighed. Annie knew he’d dealt with the cold shoulder from local law enforcement before. Most cops disdained private investigators, but Sterling Investigations had recently contributed on several high-profile cases, even receiving national press for its work on the Ventura burglary ring and the SoCal freeway killer. If Jimmy came to Louisiana as a representative of Sterling, he’d be dealing with authorities who knew nothing of their reputation or expertise. In other words, Jimmy would likely get no help. “Protect yourself, Anna. You’ll do more covertly for this case than overtly. Stay low, but I’m sending Jimmy anyway.”
    “What’s he going to do that I can’t?”
    “Hard to ask questions when you’re with the kid. Jimmy will have mobility.”
    Annie closed her eyes. She hated being shackled by her undercover role, but Ace was right. She couldn’t get around with a kid on her hip, something that left a bitter taste in her mouth. “Sucks for me.”
    “Well, if you can find an ally on the police force, you might do us some good. You’re a babe. Use it.”
    “Are you talking about flirting?” Felt like a dirty word on her tongue. Playing femme fatale was so not her thing. Not just because it was deceitful but because deep down, locked in the basement of her heart, was the thought she wasn’t feminine enough to attract a man at such a base level.
    “Find the lead investigator and use that pretty smile to get a few leads out of him. Stroke his ego and get him to tell you all about how he’s going to find the person doing this. Unless it’s a woman, then you may have to switch tactics.”
    “Lead is Picou Dufrene’s son.”
    “Perfect.”
    Annie felt a bit of dread unwind inside her. She couldn’t use feminine wiles to manipulate men, undercover or not. “I don’t think he’s the type.”
    “We’re all the type. I hired you for a good reason, crackerjack.”
    “I’ll fall flat on my face.” Even though she already knew Nate was interested. Yet, something told her to play straight with him as much as possible. Her playing dumb as he opened his kit earlier proved as much—suspicion had lurked in his eyes. “I’d rather be direct.”
    “Just do your job,” Ace said, “and Jimmy will be in touch when he gets in town.”
    “Fine. Tell him to bring me some hardware.”
    Sterling confirmed her selection of weapon and then hung up. Jimmy would be in Louisiana within three days, bringing her piece with him. The heat would make it brutal to wear a jacket concealing the weapon, but she’d think of something. She’d been nearly crazy not having her gun.
    She pocketed her phone and turned.
    “Hardware?” Nate stood with arms crossed, leaning against the bookcase.
    “Agh!” She jumped.
    She hadn’t heard him enter the library. The man must be part cat. His eyes crackled with intensity even though his posture suggested indifference. How long had he been there? She swallowed mild panic.

    “You’re ordering hardware?”
    “Do you always listen in on people’s conversations? I get you’re a cop, but that’s rude.”
    He made a face. “I’m not a cop.”
    “A technicality. This is still a violation of my rights.”
    “To what?”
    “Uh, privacy.” She did her best smart-ass.
    “You’re in a private home sneaking around after we found a dead bird along with a threat intended for the little boy you’re minding. I think forgoing privacy is a non-issue at this