Excerpt of The Descartes Legacy by Nina Croft

He flicked open the top button of her shirt and had progressed to the second one when a cell phone rang behind her, and he went still.

His expression was rueful, but he stepped away and reached for the phone. Though he turned his head as he answered, she clearly heard Callum’s voice at the other end of the line.

“Luke, I’m on my way up.”

Luke glanced at her, regret clear in his eyes. “Okay, I’ll see you in five.”

Jenna jumped down off the counter as Luke shoved the cell phone in his pocket.

“That was Callum. He’s on his way up.”

“I heard.”

“You did? You must have good hearing.”

She frowned. “This morning it seems I do. Does Callum live here?”

“He has an apartment a couple of floors down. He stays there when he’s in the country.” He made to leave the room but paused in the doorway. “I didn’t use anything last night.”

For a moment, she didn’t understand what he was saying. Then she realized he meant no condom. “Is there anything I should know?”

“No, I’m clean. What about you—any chance there will be repercussions from this?”

“No. I’m on the pill.”

She’d hated the idea of passing her disease to anyone and had seriously considered being sterilized, but strangely, it was her father who had told her to hold off. He’d said the advances in medical science were coming so fast who knew what cures would be available in another decade.

“Good. I’ll be back after I’ve dealt with Callum.” His smile was apologetic. “Maybe you should go to the gym after all. I have a feeling this might take some time.”

He closed the door behind him.

Her gaze settled on the coffee machine as the scent of fresh coffee teased her nose. Jenna poured herself a cup and sat at the table sipping it. Even through the closed door, she could hear Luke moving around the apartment, and she frowned again.

The flavor of her coffee tasted more intense than she had ever noticed before. Everything appeared sharper, brighter. Was it some sort of relief that she was alive when others were dead?

Or was something else happening? Last night, for the first time in as long as she could remember, she hadn’t taken any medication. But she didn’t feel ill. She felt…She closed her eyes; she felt vital, alive, alert. Could it be some sort of side effect, a symptom that heralded much worse to come? Or had the medicine, while forestalling her illness, also dulled her senses?

The elevator door slid open. Presumably Callum arriving. Jenna sat back in her seat. If she closed her eyes, she could hear the conversation clearly.

“You look like you just got laid,” Callum said

“Leave it.” Luke’s tone held irritation or guilt. Possibly both.

“Do you know what you’re doing?” Obviously Callum was unwilling to leave it. “This woman is a possible suspect, and even if she weren’t a suspect, she’s our only lead. She’s bait, and you’re losing focus.”

“I said, leave it,” Luke snapped.

“Damn it, Luke, this is my deal as much as yours. I have as much at stake as you. Leah was my sister.”

Who was Leah?

“I know.” He was silent for a minute, and Jenna strained to hear. “This way, Jenna trusts me. Don’t worry—I’ll do whatever’s necessary.”

What the hell did that mean?

Had Luke been playing her?