Elle James - Blown Away

TJ rubbed at the stiff muscles in the back of her neck and stared at the glossy floor and wall tiles. A shaky laugh escaped her lips. Had the bombing in Dindi reduced her to hiding in a bathroom stall? Her shoulders straightened.

No. She was made of sterner stuff than that. After a few cleansing breaths, she opened the door, ready to face the world, her imaginings and herself.

She crossed to the sink and splashed water on her face. With a paper towel, she patted her cheeks dry and gazed at the stranger staring back at her from the mirror. Was that really her? Sure, she went through the motions every day of getting ready for work, but she hadn’t stopped lately to take stock of her appearance. Since when had the dark circles appeared beneath her eyes and why did her cheeks look so sunken? Damn, she looked like walking death.

Just because Haddock and Sean had died in the explosion didn’t mean she had to.

Get a grip, girl.

Less shaky and more in control of her emotions, TJ pinched a little color into her cheeks and stepped out of the ladies restroom into the hall. She poured herself into her work, determined to be too busy to think by the end of the day, hoping that she’d fall into bed so tired, she’d sleep without the awful nightmares.

SEAN WORKED ALL DAY in Congresswoman Malone’s office learning the ropes and the pecking order. Which was fine by him. The more they sent him to deliver documents, the more he got to see and hear.

Each time he worked his way down the hallway, he kept an eye open for TJ Barton. She’d mentioned working in the Rayburn Building and that Haddock had offices here. One half of him wanted to see her just to know where exactly she was. The other, more practical half knew meeting up with her again could blow his cover all to hell. An S.O.S. agent needed anonymity to do his job. The less she knew and the less he saw of her, the better.

On the pretext of making a good impression on the boss, Sean hung around the office late. He planned to stay until after everyone left so he could sneak into Congressman Crane’s office.

After seven in the evening, Sean’s assigned mentor, Gordon Harris, stopped by his desk and plucked a file out of the in-box. “Good, I was expecting this.” Most of the staff had left by six. “Does the congresswoman have you loaded up with assignments already?”

“Not really. I’m reading all the material you gave me earlier and some available on the intranet to better understand what goes on around here.”

Gordon shoved the file folder into his briefcase and zipped the top. “Well don’t stay too long. You’ll absorb a lot of this over time.”

He didn’t have the luxury of time. “I know, but I want to come up to speed quickly. I hear Congresswoman Malone can be tough.”

“She’s demanding, but she knows her stuff. I wouldn’t be surprised if she makes a bid for president some day.”

While he had Gordon, he might as well question him. “I read somewhere that Malone is carrying the banner for the Dindi Millennium Challenge funding. I thought after the bombing, they’d cancel it.”

“She’s a powerhouse when it comes to backing a cause she believes in. The Appropriations Committee will vote on it in a few days. I’m betting my money on Malone.”

The hairs on the back of Sean’s neck stood at attention and he made a mental note to look up the Appropriations Committee’s meeting schedule and location. “Is there any opposition?”

Gordon snorted. “Some.” A diplomatically vague answer to be expected from a legislative assistant.

Sean had overheard rumblings that Congressman Crane was foaming at the mouth because Dindi didn’t get dropped when Haddock died. He’d backed Arobo all along. It would be interesting to see the outcome. Malone and Crane were both from the same party and on the same committee, and they couldn’t agree. But was that reason enough to have Haddock killed? Sean’s mind ticked through the possibilities. Could the members be playing political games gone deadly? “How long have you worked with Malone?”

“Since she was elected six years ago.” Gordon glanced at his watch. “I’ve got to get out of here. I’m supposed to meet a friend for dinner and I’m already late. You need anything before I go?”

“No, I’ll only be another thirty minutes before I cut out.”

“See ya tomorrow.”

After Gordon left, Sean remained in his seat and pulled up the internal roster of congressmen and staff members. Crane had a staff of twenty-one full-timers and four temps; apparently he hadn’t replaced George Fenton. Malone had a staff of twenty-two and four temps, counting him. How many people would they have to cross-reference with the CIA background checks before they got to the right one? He printed a copy of the staff lists to give to Royce. His first stop in Crane’s office had to be George’s desk. He glanced at the time. Eight o’clock. Still early for snooping in another congressman’s office. Instead, he spent time going through all the desks and drawers of the staff members in Malone’s office, saving her inner sanctum for last.

Before he tackled the congresswoman’s office, he made a pass through the suite and poked his head out into the hallway. No one moved and, other than a few lights shining beneath doorways farther down the hallway, he didn’t see anyone. Then a door down the hall opened.

Sean ducked back in and listened for footsteps. They headed in the opposite direction.

Good. If he hurried, he could get into Malone’s office and close the door before anyone saw him. Sean hurried back to the congresswoman’s office, slipping a thin plastic lock pick from his pocket.

TIRED AND READY to call it a day, TJ left her office with a stack of inner-office mail envelopes marked with suspense dates of tomorrow. After she dropped these at various offices along the corridor, she could go home and heat up the leftover Chinese food she had in her refrigerator. Then again, would it be any good after four days?

She dropped two envelopes in Congressman Latke’s office and turned back to hit Crane and Malone’s offices.

Maybe just a piece of toast and a long soak in a hot bath.

Her plans made, TJ entered Malone’s office. Her feet sank into the plush carpeting, muffling the sound of her footfalls as she passed through the suite to get to Gordon’s desk positioned outside Malone’s door.

As she neared the inner-office area, a clicking sound alerted her that she wasn’t alone. Was Gordon still here? If so, she could explain her comments on the report she’d reviewed.

Rounding the corner to Gordon’s 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 Malone’s 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 TJ’s neck rose to attention and she had the uncanny sense of being watched. With more haste than care, she tossed the envelopes into Gordon’s 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 she’d 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.