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Guthrie sighed “Of course it did I’ent I have to consider all the possibilities But you didn’t steal the Monet And I’ your father’s MO to the press”

“Well, you’re right aboutBut…”

Guthrie raised his hands, pal about your father”

It was a discussion they’d had often over the years Gabe illing to admit that his father had been a thief, a brilliant one And a reformed one He’d never believed his father had stolen the Pissaro that Guthrie had arrested hi Raphael Wilder had denied the theft even on his deathbed “My father made the same pro”

Guthrie rose and walked to theOver the years they’d agreed to disagree The first tiued about his father’s innocence, Gabe had punched the older ry

Guthrie had taken the punch and told him that he could take another Anytiain because it hadn’t helped soothe any of the pain or the loss away What had eventually helped was the time he’d spent at the St Francis Center for Boys At a crucial time in his life, Father Mike Flynn had helped him more than he could ever repay Truth told, the priest was still helping him He’d been the first person he’d called after he’d left the criht before

“There was a tiht follow in your father’s footsteps,” Guthrie said “But you’ve built a very different kind of life”

Yes, he had And G W Securities was beco work he’d done for Nick Guthrie, he’d recently landed jobs as far away as DC and New York City Gabe stretched out his legs and crossed them at the ankles

“So why is so parts of your father’s MO?” Guthrie spoke the question that was foremost in both of their minds

As it hung unanswered in the air, Gabe’s attention was distracted by the young woman who’d just stepped out of the elevator in the outer offices Soh hilass-walled offices and set her briefcase down

Not recognition

Or was it? He gave her another few seconds of his attention There was plenty there to warrant a second look The gray slacks and jacket did little to disguise the long legs and the curves in that neat, athletic body The bright blue of the shirt drew his gaze to her face—also worth a second look

This tinition that flickered He knew that short upturned nose, the stubborn chin

“Who…?”

Gabe wasn’t even aware that he’d spoken the question out loud until Guthrie answered, “That’s Nicola, o”

Gabe registered the frown in the older aze off of the woman

“She didn’t even tell Marcia andto the FBI, not until she’d been accepted at Quantico She finished her training there last month and received the Director’s Leadership Award I had to pull a lot of strings to get her transferred here”

Nicola Guthrie Of course It was the hair that had thrown hiht as rain until it curved beneath her chin Fifteen years ago a mass of curls had framed her face He’d teased her ruthlessly about them and even pulled them a few times

“I’ to li “She’s s as she’s in the office and behind that desk, I can be sure she’s safe”

Gabe was about to turn his attention back to the Monet when Nicola Guthrie turned and her gaze suddenly locked on his

The i into contact with every nerve ending For aelse faded, and all he are of was her The sudden tightening in his gut was raw, sexual and co Without any conscious volition, he rose from the chair