“We’ve been investigating Sam Lazano for over two years.”
I sucked in a breath, recognizing the name. Tom Burke had said it when he apologized to Mr. Expensive Suit the day before.
“You recognize the name,” Mark said, but it wasn’t a question.
I nodded. “Yes. I think he was the man at a meeting I attended yesterday in the suite down the hall. The name was mentioned.”
Mark’s face lit up like a kid given a toy. “Can you describe him?”
I thought about the face I’d never forget. “Maybe six feet, heavy set but not from exercise. Dark hair, receding hairline. Jowly neck.” I raised my hand and touched my own. “His eyes were dark, and I had the impression that he was a mobster or something.”
Mark nodded. “Your impression was right. Sam Lazano is the head of a drug ring. How often did you meet with him?”
“Drug ring?” I whispered.
“Watch it,” Roy snapped at Mark, pulling me onto his lap.
Mark held up a placating hand. “It’s all right. We don’t think you’re involved.”
Roy growled–literally growled–at the guy.
“Roy!” I gasped, trying to wiggle out of his hold, but it wasn’t working.
Why he wanted me on his lap now was confusing. And embarrassing.
Mark’s nostrils flared like he was sniffing the air, and he studied us, eyes narrowed.
“Hey, I get it,” he said, lifting one of his hands. “I understand and appreciate a protective mate–er, partner. We know Brooke’s not involved. We’d just like to find out what happened at yesterday’s meeting.”
I relaxed and gave up the fight of sitting on my own. Roy’s hold was possessive, like a lock around me. He was solid, sturdy, and warm. He was also fiercely protective of me, which I liked. I shouldn’t like it too much though because I didn’t want to rely on him. Except for the situation I was in, with a DEA guy interrogating me, I really liked that he was here with me.
“How long have you known Sam Lazano?” he asked.
“I met him for the first time yesterday,” I replied, clenching my hands together in my lap.
“Why?”
“Because my boss, Eugene, was injured and in the hospital. He called and asked me to fill in. Said it was an important client, and the meeting couldn’t be cancelled.”
Mark leaned forward and rested his elbows on his thighs. “Okay. Go over the whole meeting with me.”
I nibbled my lower lip and took a breath.
“I normally handle bookkeeping and during tax season simple filings that Eugene approves. When he called, I freaked because I knew nothing about the client and was supposed to fill in on something I knew nothing about. I don’t like not being prepared,” I admitted. “Eugene told me where to grab the papers I’d need on his desk, and I took his laptop then came here. He shared the location and room number. Someone was waiting for me downstairs because you can’t get up to the penthouse level in the elevator without a keycard.”
“How’d you get up here?’’ Roy asked Mark.
The man grinned. “Flashed my badge. Go on,” he prompted me.
“I’d never seen the man before. My company’s client, Mr. Burke, was across from him, Sam Lazano. I didn’t know his name then. He didn’t introduce himself or the men with him. I only got his name because Mr. Burke mentioned it.”
“Was he the man who chased after you when you ran into me?” Roy asked then added for Mark’s benefit. “She left the meeting when she got scared and ran down the hall and bumped into me. I pulled her into my suite before they saw.”
Mark nodded. “You were lucky.”
I shrugged and continued. “I never saw who was coming after me. I just heard him, and I was too afraid to look back. I doubt it was this Lazano guy though. I got the feeling he didn’t run after anyone.”
I shrugged.