You're Mine, Maggie Read Online Free

today.”
    He asked me for my contact info, then took me through what had happened with Shasta. It was all very conversational and inappropriately flirty. My hives hardly itched at all until he asked me who had access to the stockroom.
    “Anyone in the cosmetics department. They haven’t changed the access code since I started here three years ago. Why?”
    “In the past few days, did you see anyone hanging around the stockroom who shouldn’t have been?”
    Honestly, I hardly paid attention to anything other than keeping my sales numbers up and how long until I was off work. “No.”
    “Can you think of anything that seemed unusual or out of place to you?”
    “No.” I didn’t think he’d care about all the crap I’d misplaced over the past few weeks.
    “Okay, well, thank you for answering my questions. If you can think of anything else—” he handed me his business card, “—give me a call.”
    “This wasn’t an accident, was it?”
    He sat back in his seat and regarded me with his sexy, panty-melting bedroom eyes. “Why do you ask?”
    I shrugged. “Why are you answering my question with a question?”
    “Why won’t you tell me why you think this wasn’t an accident?”
    “Why don’t I call you if I have any more questions?” I got up from my chair and headed for the door.
    “Are you seeing anyone?”
    Halting midstride, I turned back to look at him. My initial attraction to him had slowly morphed into unease the more time I’d spent with him. Even if I wasn’t deliciously tangled up with Super Agent there was no way I’d go out with this guy. “I’m not seeing enough of someone.”
    He laughed, but it had an odd edge to it. “What does that mean?”
    “It means I’m not in the market for any more frustration. But thank you.” I opened the door and paused. “Oh, and thanks for answering my question.”
    “What question?”
    “The one about this not being an accident.”
    “I never said that.”
    “Actually, you did. I’ve gotten pretty fluent in verbal evasion.” And I had a big ole broad-shouldered FBI agent to thank for that. “Nice meeting you.”
    Heading back to the counter to gather my things and go home, I thought about all Detective Cruz had said and not said. Shasta’s death wasn’t accidental, so who wanted her dead?

Chapter Six
     
    Instead of grabbing my purse and heading home like I should’ve done, I went in search of Mr. Stratford. He wasn’t where I last saw him so I took the elevator to the third floor. The executive offices were tucked behind an unmarked door next to giftwrap. I figured if Daddy Department Store was still in the store that was where I’d find him.
    Callie, the store manager’s assistant, was busy fielding calls at her desk. I had to wait a couple of minutes for a break in calls. The media had already gotten wind of the story, apparently. “Hey, Callie, is Mr. Stratford up here?”
    She flicked a hand toward one of the offices that had become vacant during the last store restructuring. “In there. But he asked to not be disturbed.” She let out a hefty sigh as her phone lit up again.
    I waited until she answered to tiptoe past her. “I won’t disturb him.” Much.
    I did my usual knock-and-burst-in thing, opening the door to find Mr. Stratford hunched over the desk, head in hands.
    He lifted his head. “I told you… What do you want?”
    Yeah, I wasn’t happy to see him either.
    “Can we talk?” I closed the door behind me.
    “No.”
    “Then I’ll talk. You can do whatever.” I lowered myself into the chair across the desk from him. It was then that I noticed his red-rimmed eyes and mussed-up hair. In all the confusion and shock I’d forgotten this man had lost his daughter. “I’m sorry about Shasta.”
    “If that’s why you barged in here, you’re wasting your time as well as mine.”
    “It’s not, but that doesn’t mean I don’t mean it.” Putting my elbows on my knees, I leaned closer. “I’m sorry.”
    He