She dropped two envelopes in Congressman Latkes office and turned back to hit Crane and Malones offices.
Maybe just a piece of toast and a long soak in a hot bath.
Her plans made, TJ entered Malones office. Her feet sank into the plush carpeting, muffling the sound of her footfalls as she passed through the suite to get to Gordons desk positioned outside Malones door.
As she neared the inner-office area, a clicking sound alerted her that she wasnt alone. Was Gordon still here? If so, she could explain her comments on the report shed reviewed.
Rounding the corner to Gordons office, her mouth open to say hello, TJ stopped and stared at the empty room. Should she add hearing things to her list of hallucinations? Pressing her ear to Malones door, she listened for any signs of a late meeting with the congresswoman. No sounds penetrated the wooden door to the office.
The hairs on the back of TJs neck rose to attention and she had the uncanny sense of being watched. With more haste than care, she tossed the envelopes into Gordons in-box and turned to leave, a chill snaking its way down her spine. She took a step and stopped. Was that the sound of a door? The one leading to the hallway? Hello? Is anyone in here? No one answered.
A distinct click sounded from the outer office area. Had she left the door open and it had swung closed behind her? Her breath caught in her throat as she made her way back through the offices to the hallway. The door that shed left open a moment before was now closed.
Creepy. TJ jerked the door open and stepped out into the hallway and breathed a sigh, chastising herself for letting her imagination get the better of her.
Then she saw him.
A man hurried down the hallway toward the exit.
What the hell? Had he been in Malones office snooping around? Should she call the Capitol Police and have him stopped? What if she was wrong and the man was rushing to meet his family for dinner?
TJs feet moved in the direction the man had gone. Maybe shed follow him just to see who it was. What could that hurt? If he had been snooping, at least she might be able to give more of a description than the back of a mans shadowy head.
The man disappeared around a corner.
Now, she could run and he wouldnt know she was chasing after him. TJ slipped out of her shoes, clutched them in her hands and ran down the hall as fast as she could in her confining skirt and bare feet. When she neared the corner, she slowed and peered around.
The man had disappeared. How could she describe him if she didnt actually see his face? If she didnt hurry, hed make the parking garage and escape before she had a chance to identify him.
Why she should be so fixated, she didnt stop to question. Perhaps her earlier Sean sightings were making her punchy. Determined to catch up to the unidentified man, she hitched up her skirt and lit out at a jog, rounding the next corner at a flat-out run.
A hand reached out and snagged her arm, jerking her back against a solid wall of muscle. Another hand clamped over her mouth, muffling the scream rising in her throat. Her shoes slipped from her hands, dropping to the floor.
Instinct kicked in and she bit the hand, stomped on the mans instep and cocked her elbow to jab into his gut.
At that moment, a voice penetrated her fog of panic.
Damn it. Stop fighting me and Ill let you go. That voice. The same voice shed heard earlier today coming out of Malones office. Her body froze, her skin tingling all over.
The hand over her mouth loosened. Are you going to scream?
TJ shook her head. She couldnt scream if all the air had left her lungs. Hell, she couldnt breathe.
He dropped his hand and slowly turned her to face him. Why were you chasing me?
All the blood drained from TJs face and the mans image swam in her vision like an apparition floating through a cloud. When her knees buckled, she staggered backward until her back hit the wall. Sean?
Chapter Four
Sean gripped TJs arms to keep her from falling. Her face blanched and her eyes widened. Her knees shook as if she was about to drop to the floor in a dead faint, or so he told himself as he pulled her against his chest.
The scent of spring flowers wafted beneath his nose, sending him back to Dindi and the hotel suite hed shared with this beautiful woman. For a long moment he allowed the good memories to wash over him. He wanted to continue holding her close until he recaptured that feeling of belonging hed only experienced with her in that faraway room. But the good feelings were chased away by bad memories. The blinding flash of the explosion and the resulting blackness filled his mind.
Marty was dead. Sean had only sustained minor injuriescuts, scrapes, ruptured eardrums and a mild concussion. Hed survived. Marty hadnt.
With cold determination, he set TJ at arms length and stepped away. Somehow, he had to get through this mission without letting this woman distract him again. Detecting movement to his left, he painted a confused but friendly expression on his face. Why were you following me? Do I know you? He bent to retrieve her shoes and handed them to her.
As she slipped them on, her skin went from white to red in a manner of seconds. Do I
The night-duty Capitol Police guard chose that moment to walk by. Good evening, Ms. Barton. The guard gave Sean a wary look. Everything okay here?
TJ pushed a hand through her shoulder-length hair and gave a shaky laugh. Oh, hi, Joe. Yes, yes, of course. When the guard turned away from her, TJ glared at Sean.
If youre sure Joe didnt act as if he wanted to leave.
No, really, Joe, TJ said. We were just discussing work, werent we?
Sean nodded, gauging TJs words and anticipating her next with some trepidation. Yes, sir.
You new around here? Joe asked.
Started today in Congresswoman Malones office. Sean stuck out his hand. John Newman.
A soft snort sounded beside him.
As the guard took his extended hand, Sean could feel the heat of TJs glare burning into his back. She could blow his cover if she wanted and she was mad enough to do it. He hoped she wouldnt.
John Newman, the guard repeated. Nice to meet you. He glanced again at TJ. If youre sure youre okay, Ill be on my way. Still have my rounds to complete.
Im perfectly fine. Her brows rose. And so is SeJohn. Hes perfectly fine. Her lips thinned for a moment before she graced the guard with a dazzling, albeit fake, smile. Thanks for your concern. Its nice to know some people still care.
Joe walked away, glancing back once before he rounded the corner.
TJ clamped her mouth shut and crossed her arms over her chest, watching Sean until the guards footsteps receded.
Sean didnt like pretending with TJ, but he had to maintain his cover. Hed practiced the lies hed tell her half a dozen times, knowing it was only a matter of time before she discovered he was there.
After the policeman moved on, TJ grabbed Seans arm and ushered him, none too gently, down the long hallway back to her empty office.
Sean assumed a casual, natural look in case someone was watching. Surely legislative assistants dragged the new guys down the halls at some point during the day. He didnt want to cause a scene or draw attention. His job was to blend in.