If Kayla was picking up less-than-professional vibes between them, others could be too.

Cate forced out a laugh. “Arguing with teachers gets you an F.”

“Yeah—but you did look upset.”

“He gave me extra homework.”

“Oh. That would tick me off too.” Kayla opened her trig book. “But it didn’t read like that kind of mad, you know?”

Yeah, she did—and she couldn’t take the risk anyone else would notice her interactions with Zeke and deem them suspicious.

As long as they were talking cases, that wouldn’t be a problem.

So going forward, she’d make it clear to him that all personal subjects and comments were off-limits to protect their investigations and their covers.

Not to mention her heart.

As his burner phone began to vibrate, Wolf muted the TV and picked up the cell from the table beside him. Only two people had this number, and Will Fischer wasn’t likely to initiate a call.

He checked the screen.

Yeah. It was Razor.

The man got straight to business. “Sorry to call this late, but you said to let you know once everything was set.”

“No worries. I had a busy day and was unwinding with reruns.” Wolf smiled as Gilligan and the skipper indulged in slapstick comedy, then picked up the remote and killed the power. “I don’t have to know details. All I want is confirmation the job has been arranged.”

“I understand, boss. It will be done no later than Friday.”

“You have someone trustworthy lined up?”

“Yeah. The guy I mentioned who I’ve been training to be my second-in-command after you leave for a life of sun and surf. I passed along the photo and the map.”

“Is he reliable?”

“He has been so far, but I’m watching him . . . and he knows it. This job will be a test of his skills—and his loyalty.”

“It also gives you leverage if he gets out of line.”

“That did occur to me.”

“I’ve taught you well.”

“Yeah.” Razor gave a soft laugh. “You have.”

Wolf rose and walked over to the window. Parted the blinds.

All was quiet on this Tuesday night.

Just how he liked it.

“You’re certain he understood the instructions?” The less blood on his hands the better, no matter how distant he was from the actual crime.

“Yes. I passed them along.”

“Good.” Too bad it had come to this—but young women shouldn’t be wandering around isolated property alone. In the long run, the incident could save another girl from harm at the hands of someone who had a more personal objective in mind.

A stretch, perhaps, but there was a tiny germ of truth in that justification.

“You want a report afterward?”

“I’ll hear about it from other sources.” Wolf shut the drapes.

“Got it.”