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guys turning up out of the blue.
But he rejected Strom’s suggestion that he move out of the apartment for a few
days.
    Worryingly, there was nothing on the news reports about a
death at the museum and Strom was obviously concerned. “You mustn’t be alone
today, Ingrid. Jake will go to work with you.”
    Did Strom think that she walked around with a bodyguard all
the time? “And just how am I going to explain him to my colleagues?”
    Jake’s green eyes twinkled with laughter. “I’m your hot
boyfriend from overseas, baby. Just back from a UN mission and I can’t bear to
be parted from you.”
    Ingrid giggled at Jake’s leering expression. “I suppose I
could catch up on my paperwork, but you might get bored.”
    Jake leered again. “Never, darling.”
     
    Strom stayed furiously silent as he watched them. Sweet
merciful stars, this mission was getting more bizarre by the minute. He never
thought that he was the jealous type, but his feelings at this moment bordered
on the pathological. How had she done this to him? His Ingrid was living with a
man who wore dresses and now she was flirting with Jake.
    He cursed his indecision of the previous night. The way she
had kissed him, the feel of her touch against his skin made him ache for her.
Ingrid would have welcomed him into her bed, he was certain of it, but how
could he start something with her that had no future? He wanted her, but if
they became lovers, how could leave her?
    He sighed again as Ingrid brushed a tangled curl away from
her face. She looked beautiful in the blue dress. They hadn’t had a moment
alone together since they got up. Now she was flirting with Jake, the biggest
womanizer in six galaxies. They were going to spend the day together while he
and Pete tried to track down Raoul. He should have made Pete the boyfriend.
    There was no good news from the DTS either. Their
intervention last night hadn’t been enough to save her. According to the geeks
at temporal central, Ingrid had still been murdered by Raoul in 2011. They had
to find him as soon as possible.

Chapter Four
     
    Jake was a very good boyfriend. Good-looking, attentive,
charming and romantic, and this before nine a.m. At least his jokes distracted
her, but it didn’t take her mind off the viking. She couldn’t understand his
behavior. Not a kiss, not a single touch from him this morning and he had
practically glared at her over breakfast. It was as if he had forgotten all
about last night. Maybe she could ask Jake. How pathetic, Sorrenson, mooning
after Strom like a lovesick teenager .
    Ingrid’s heart began to pound as she approached the entrance
to the museum. Everything was far too normal. Dan waved to her as usual from
the security desk and there was no sign of any police activity. A small,
handwritten sign in the entrance hall announced that the Red Elk exhibit was
closed for maintenance, otherwise nothing. It was as if she had dreamt the
whole thing.
    Jake eyed the security cameras in the lobby, wondering if
Raoul had the nerve to return to the museum and if he was watching them. There
was one way to find out.
    “It’s showtime, baby.”
    He bent his head and kissed her tenderly. “Strom will kill
me for that.”
    Ingrid flicked her hair nervously. “Why?”
    “Because the big guy has it bad for you, I’ve never seen him
act like this before.”
    “Oh, Jake.” Her eyes filled with tears. Strom did care for
her, so why was he keeping his distance?
    “Hey, don’t do that.” Jake fumbled in his pocket for a tissue.
“You’ll look like Finn with that black stuff all over your face.”
    The doors of the elevator opened and the director of HR came
to greet her. Ingrid reached for Jake’s hand: here comes the bad news. They
must have found David’s body. “I’m sorry, Ingrid, but we had a break-in last
night. The offices on the second floor were disturbed. Can you check and see if
anything is missing?”
    Ingrid nodded. “Of course.”
    “Bloody vandals. You