“True. I’m just letting you know he’s in my sights. If you happen to observe any suspicious behavior on his part, I’d appreciate a heads-up.”

“I’d ask the same favor in terms of Evans. What’s next for you?”

He pointed to a word on the page. “Continue to observe, build rapport, probe where I can. We have people watching the property at night, and we’ll follow the pickup vehicle after the next delivery, whenever that occurs. But so far the couriers haven’t led us to anyone higher up. Whoever is running this is deep under the radar. What’s next for you?”

“Keep my ear to the ground—and continue to hike around the property, explore the woods. Students are encouraged to get fresh air and exercise—and who knows what I’ll find? People do drop items . . . especially if it’s dark and they’re in a rush—or panicked.”

He frowned at her. “You’ve been wandering around the property?”

“I took my first walk yesterday after school, following the perimeter of the main campus. I want people to get used to seeing me rambling around.”

“Are you going to hike into the woods alone?”

She slanted him a get-real look. “Is that a serious question?”

Zeke recalibrated.

Of course she was going alone. She couldn’t poke around with another student in tow.

And going all protective on her wouldn’t earn him any brownie points. She’d called him on that tendency eight years ago, and after all the additional work experience she’d logged—not to mention the fact they were no longer a couple—she’d be less tolerant about it than ever.

Totally understandable.

Detective Cate Reilly was more than capable of handling dicey situations and defending herself against attack.

Except undercover work required a different skill set . . . particularly in cases where you couldn’t carry.

Like this one.

A weapon wouldn’t be part of the gear for a student role play.

He chose his next words with care. “Isolated areas being used for illegal purposes can be dangerous.”

“I’m going in daylight. From what you’ve said, deliveries and pickups are at night. Also, a student taking a hike around the property shouldn’t raise suspicions, and I intend to establish a pattern. Unless my cover gets compromised, no one should pay any attention to my comings and goings.”

He couldn’t argue with her rationale.

But that didn’t mean he had to like her traipsing through the woods alone.

“Be careful anyway.”

“Goes with the territory.” She indicated the book. “Are we finished?”

They were—but he wasn’t ready to let her leave.

Too bad he couldn’t come up with a credible excuse to keep her here for a few more minutes.

“Yes.” He closed the book.

“Nice duds.” She flicked a finger against the cuff of his Brunello Cucinelli dress shirt.