Remember When...Zoe Met Lauren?

Uneasy Prey was another book that came from a very personal place in my heart. The story of con artists talking their way into elderly victims' homes in order to steal from them is one that hit a little too close for me. What happened to Mrs. Kroll really did happen to my mother. 

But another part of the book is the introduction of Lauren Sanders, who has become a regular character in the series. I knew all along that Lauren would be back but had no idea how close she and Zoe would become. Zoe had no idea either, which you can probably guess from the hint of jealousy she exhibits in this Uneasy Prey scene. 

Voices drifted in from the atrium drawing Zoe’s attention. The reporter who’d been snooping around Sylvia’s place last night appeared in the doorway. While the woman still carried the large leather bag, tonight she wore makeup. Zoe was right. She was a knock-out. Plus she wore a dark skirt, showing a flash of leg below the hem of her coat.

Lauren Sanders spotted Pete and Zoe immediately. Zoe could almost see the light bulb switch on in the woman’s eyes as she made the connection between them.

“Chief Adams. Ms. Chambers.” Lauren sauntered over to them. “I wasn’t expecting to see the two of you here.”

Pete stood. “I could say the same about you. I hope you aren’t planning to question Ms. Baker tonight.”

“Of course not.” Lauren raised an eyebrow, and a teasing grin played across her lips. “Are you?”

Zoe climbed to her feet, looking back and forth between Pete and the reporter. He’d struck his best protector-of-the-universe stance. Even in his civvies, the man had a commanding presence that stirred Zoe’s heart. But the appreciative smile on Lauren’s face stirred something else entirely.

Zoe cleared her throat. “I’m gonna go speak to Janie.”

Pete broke free of the gaze he’d locked with the reporter, but he maintained his professional law-enforcement mode. “All right. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

Zoe hesitantly moved away from them. Glancing back, she spotted Lauren Sanders’ fingers brush Pete’s arm.

No doubt about it. The woman was definitely flirting with him.