I keep having dreams about it. The whole thing replays in my head and I feel like Im missing something. At least Gordon had given her some ideas to pursue. TJ stood. I left some documents with one of Cranes legislative assistants. I need to collect them before I head home.
What about the report and the speech?
Leave them here on my desk. Im not done for the night. Thanks for listening. TJ stepped into the hallway and almost ran into Congresswoman Malone and Congressman Crane.
The congresswoman was dressed in a simple black cocktail dress. Crane wore the same suit hed had on earlier that day.
Oh there you are, Gordon. Glad you could come back in on such short notice. Malone nodded briefly at TJ. Are you headed home, Ms. Barton?
In a little while. Its been a long night. TJ smiled at Congressman Crane. Do you need anything before I leave?
No, thank you. Im just collecting a report from my office before I head home myself.
Then you two have a good evening. Malone moved down the hallway dictating a list of tasks for Gordon to accomplish.
Did the woman never know when to quit? She often worked Gordon late into the evenings. Haddock had had his occasional late night, but not as often as Malone.
Cranes gaze followed Malone and Gordon. Couldnt help overhearing your conversation with Harris. You still thinking about the bombing?
TJ nodded and fell in step with the congressman, entering his suite of offices. The dreams havent gone away. I keep thinking I could have seen someone and I cant make the memory surface.
You could be suffering post-traumatic stress syndrome. Have you considered seeing a psychiatrist?
Not yet. Between Crane and Gordon, theyd have her going to every shrink in D.C. for her problem.
Dont wait until you cant think straight. He unlocked his office door. Have a good evening.
Good night, sir. TJ collected her documents and walked away shaking her head. Crane giving her advice wasnt something shed expected out of this evening.
Thirty minutes later, she climbed into her compact car and drove out of the parking garage. On the short drive to her apartment, she had all the quiet she could stand with thoughts of Sean resurfacing at every corner.
Who would have wanted Congressman Haddock dead and why? If they wanted to stop the Millennium Challenge funding, the bombing hadnt accomplished that. Congresswoman Ann Malone had taken up the fight to get that money approved. Sean hadnt said anything about other attempts, but could Malone be next?
As TJ slowed to round a corner leading to her street, she noticed another set of headlights behind her on the deserted street. Hadnt she seen those same headlights for the past two turns shed made on her way home?
She drove past her apartment complex and turned down another road, just to be sure.
Two blocks sped by and the headlights appeared in her rearview mirror.
TJs stomach clenched. Someone was following her. Could it be Sean? Did she want to stop and ask? Hell no.
Pressing her foot to the accelerator, she raced to the next street and turned left without slowing or signaling. Once around the corner, she searched for a side street and darted down one with cars parked along the side. Cutting her headlights, she downshifted to slow her car without using the breaks, sliding into a spot behind another car against the curb. Before the headlights appeared, shed killed the engine.
She ducked low in her seat and waited. Less than a minute went by and the headlights moved slowly along the other street, passing the one shed turned on.
Even after the car passed, TJ remained where she was, her heart pounding in her ears. How long should she wait? Was she being paranoid?
Headlights appeared at the end of the street in front of her and TJs heart skipped a beat. Crud. Maybe she wasnt just paranoid. Maybe someone was following her.
TJ sank lower in her seat as the car drifted by. Unable to see over the top of the dash or the side of the door, she held her breath as the sound of an automobile engine passed. It did pass, and shortly after, TJ eased her head up. The car was gone and the street was empty of any oncoming traffic.
Turning the key in the ignition, TJ almost had a heart attack when the little car wouldnt start. On a second twist of the key, the engine sprang to life. The rest of her trip to her apartment remained blessedly uneventful.
Outside her apartment door, her hands shook as she jammed the key into the lock. Shed glanced over her shoulder at least ten times before her apartment door opened, expecting the eerie headlights to reappear on the street or a bogeyman to jump out of the bushes at any minute.
Once inside, she slammed her door shut and slid the bolt home. That wasnt enough. A quick trip through the two bedrooms, kitchen and living space finally set her mind at ease. No one had come into her apartment while shed been at work. A quick glance out the darkened windows confirmed no one lurked in the street.
A shaky laugh escaped her and she collapsed onto the couch, dropping her head into her hands. Seans reappearance had shaken her more than she cared to admit.
She forced a laugh, then almost choked on it when headlights shone through the filmy curtains of her living-room window. A car cruised by on her street like a snake sliding through the grass in search of its next meal.