Chapter Eighteen

I should’ve been sick with guilt by Monday morning. After spending hours stealing kisses from Carma as we worked on fundraiser stuff, the rest of the weekend was filled with daydreams about what it would be like to take off all her clothes. Add in that I purposely disabled the surveillance I had planted (not that we were getting anything useful anyway), I should be walking into my dad’s office with a resignation letter in my hand. Instead, I was walking on air, ready to take on anything the day threw at me.

Jake caught up with me in the parking lot. “Hey, missed you this weekend! Thought we’d catch you at the festival Saturday.”

“Yeah, sorry I missed you.” I shouldered my bag and started walking. “I went on Friday night, then got caught up with doing fundraiser stuff the rest of the weekend.”

I wasn’t lying. We—and by we, I mean Carma—had been working on bespoke centerpieces that would be raffled off. I had only been there for moral support. She had also convinced the harpist (and only the harpist) from Mauled by Fawns to provide the music.

My job was nearly done, with the exception of sending out about fifty emails to Lucinda’s closest friends, inviting them to come. I just had to confirm the valet, follow up on Lucinda’s guest list, and get something “black tie” appropriate to wear on Friday.

Jake nodded and shoved his free hand in his pocket, the other holding his cane. “You gonna tell me what’s really going on?”

I laughed too casually. “What are you talking about?”

He watched me for a long moment. “Sebastian said you saw Carma at the festival.”

“You’re getting gossip from him now?”

“Stopped by on my way home from the festival. You weren’t there. He was.”

“Carma was at the festival with Elena from the front desk and Elena’s wife.”

Jake grabbed my arm and led me away from the front doors and around the side of the building. “Mina, what the fuck is going on?” He punctuated each word with a tap on the ground from his cane.

“Nothing!”

“Bullshit. You’re completely checked out on this case. I know you’re doing three jobs right now, and it sucks, but your reports are barely a few sentences long, you haven’t uploaded any photos or video to the servers in over a week, and you stopped answering my texts. You saw a mark outside of work over forty-eight hours ago and I found out about it from an agent not even on this case!”

I stepped back, breaking his hold. I readjusted my bag on my shoulder. “I did answer your texts.”

Jake threw his hand up and let it slap against his leg. “One word sentences, like your dad.”

I gasped. “Harsh.” Then my shoulders slumped. He was right. “Okay, actually there is something I wanted to tell you in person.” I looked around to make sure no one was watching, then leaned in to whisper. “I think Carma is a werewolf.”

Except I didn’t. Not fully. But it would distract him.

Jake’s brows raised to the sky. “Now that is interesting.” He checked his phone. “The full moon is this weekend. I guess we’re going to be able to confirm soon.”

I nodded. “Yeah. Also, not sure how this correlates yet, but this company really helps people. Elena, the woman at the front desk, had really bad Crohn’s Disease that went into full remission when she got on the program.”

He studied my face. “Is this in any report?”

“Would it matter?”

He rubbed his palm on his head, his angry tell. “Mina, of course it matters. I get why you didn’t put the werewolf thing in yet, but an autoimmune disease going into full remission is a big deal. How can we paint a picture of what’s going on if you don’t share this kind of info?”

“What do you think I’m doing right now?”

“Yeah, after I manhandled you around the side of a building! Mina, I need you to get fully on board here, because the more I dig, the more suspicious I get.”

I crossed my arms. “What’s so suspicious?” Why did I sound defensive?

He pointed a finger at me. “See, that. Right there. You haven’t read a single report I’ve copied you on this week, have you?” He held up his hand. “Don’t bother to answer. Rhetorical. I just have one question. Why?”

I kept my face blank but couldn’t hold his scrutinizing gaze. “I…don’t…know,” I admitted, then slumped against the wall. “I don’t know.” I didn’t want to do this mission anymore. “I think maybe I wasn’t ready to come back to work.”

His defenses fell like I knew they would. “Do you want out?”

I shook my head. “No. I’ll get my head in the game.” I needed to finish this mission and let the chips fall where they may. A sharp spike of anxiety slashed through my chest at the idea of not seeing Carma ever again. Oh no.

“Hey. You got this. I’m a text away, yeah?” Jake gripped my shoulder then let his arm fall, tugging me from my weird headspace.

I nodded. “Thanks.” Taking a deep breath, I pointed to the front doors. “I gotta get in. But how about Indian food tonight?”

He smiled. “Deal.”

Before he could say anything else, I spun on my heel and power walked through the lobby. I clenched and unclenched my fists, taking deep breaths in through my nose. What the hell was going on with me? Was I forming an emotional attachment?

No. I couldn’t be. Physical was one thing, but emotional? That would not only be unprofessional and idiotic, but deadly. I was smarter than that. I was one of the top agents at SHAP and never, I mean never, screwed up that bad.

Almost dying changes people, Mina. Sebastian’s words marched through my head. Was this what he meant? Did almost dying change me?

“Morning, Mina.”

I jumped and gasped, my hand flying to my chest. “Oh, morning, Elena. Have a good rest of the weekend?” Seriously, how had she startled me? She was standing right in front of me.

Maybe I needed a nap. Or more coffee. Or less coffee?

She nodded stiffly. “Yes, and you?”

I couldn’t stop the smile, even as my stomach twisted at her obvious dislike of me. “Yeah, I did.” After the tell-tale buzz, I grabbed the door and held it open. “Catch you later.” I don’t know why I cared that she wouldn’t be my new bestie. I was used to people finding me abrasive and unpleasant. I’d built a career on it.

Jake caught up with me at the top of the stairs, leaning on his right leg. “Hey, have a good day, okay? Text me what you want for dinner and I’ll order.”

I gave him a thumbs-up. “Will do.” I descended two stairs at a time and practically ran to Carma’s office, desperate to get a glimpse of her. My heart sank at her closed door. Blerg. Mondays.

Rounding the corner into my own office, I mumbled a greeting to Maggie—who was already on the phone—and slumped into my computer chair. I was exhausted, and it wasn’t even nine. I turned on my computer and shifted my mouse, noticing a small piece of paper tucked underneath.

My heart was in my throat as I palmed it then opened it under my desk. Can’t wait to see you -C. I folded it back up then unfolded it again, tracing her curvy letters, trying to hold on to this feeling.

“Have a good weekend?”

I jumped and banged my knee on my desk at Maggie’s question. I shoved the paper into my pocket and spun to face her. “Yeah. Went to a fair on Friday and kept things low key. How about you?”

“Saw the grandbabies. Want to see pictures?”

I scoffed. “Duh. Do you need to ask?” Normally, I didn’t give two shits about some stranger’s grandkids, but working practically back-to-back with Maggie had bonded us in a surprising way. She was like the aunt I never got to meet. Dad was an only child and Mom’s sister had passed away the year I was born.

I was bent over Maggie’s cell, looking at a video from her granddaughter’s T-ball game when the smell of strawberries surrounded me. Carma’s hand rested on my lower back, leaning over my shoulder to see the phone. “Maggie, is this Bella? She’s gotten so big!”

My manager laughed. “Tell me about it! Every time I see her, she’s practically a foot taller.”

They exchanged small talk, but I couldn’t concentrate on what they were saying as Carma’s hand went to my waistband and dipped in, the pads of her fingers tracing circles on my skin. To an outsider, it probably just looked like we were super interested in Maggie’s phone, but I swear I was about to burst into flames.

When Maggie’s desk phone rang, she sighed. “Always happens.”

Carma cleared her throat. “Mind if I steal your girl here for a few moments? I need her opinion on something super-fast.”

“Go. Just bring her back before your mom gets here.”

Carma removed her hand, and I finally remembered how to breathe. “I got the door prizes finished Sunday night. Come tell me what you think.” She turned and walked out, her skirt skimming her thighs and her round butt before flaring out to showcase her long legs. I nearly groaned out loud. I wanted to taste every inch of skin from her ankles to that sweet spot at the apex of her thighs.

As soon as we were inside her office, she closed the door, pushed me against it, and pressed her lips to mine. I wasted no time in fisting her hair and kissing her back. No soft, closed-mouth kisses. These were desperate, starving movements, the need to feed on each other before we faced a day of platonic smiles and averted glances.

“I can’t get enough of you,” she whispered when we came up for air.

I kissed the edge of her jaw. “The feeling is definitely mutual.”

“I really do need your opinion on the door prizes, but I couldn’t wait another second to kiss you.”

“They’re great. The best I’ve ever seen.” I moved back up to her mouth, making it impossible for her to keep talking.

It took us another five minutes to remember we were at work and not in a position to kiss for hours. She laughed and pulled back again. “No, really, I want your opinion.”

I pouted. “Fine.”

She walked me through the different prizes, but I didn’t care. I could only stare at her swollen lips. “They’re all great.”

“You didn’t even look.”

I randomly pointed at an item on her desk. “That is a silk scarf.”

“Lucky guess.” She gave me one more peck on the lips and then straightened. “Okay, I need to go finalize things with Eliza. And you need to get back before Maggie comes after me.”

I shuddered. “She’s scary, yeah?”

She nodded. “You never want to see her mad.”

I chuckled and followed her out of the office. When I got back to my desk, Maggie studied me for a moment, but she didn’t say anything.

“I need to use the fancy printer down the hall, because god forbid the CEO of the entire company has a decent printer in her office,” Maggie muttered. “I’ll be right back!”

I waved as she left, opening my emails. As I clicked my mouse, I noticed my EMF reader ring started to glow green. I frowned, looking around the room for the intruder.

“Boo!”

I startled and spun around, finding Reggie sitting on the back end of my U-shaped desk. “What are you doing here?” I asked through clenched teeth.

He kicked his legs through the filing cabinet as if he were on a swing set and shrugged. “I’ve always wanted to say boo.”

“Now you have.” I looked around, making sure no one noticed him. “You need to get out of here before someone asks why I have a ghost in my office.”

“Just tell them I’m interested in the program.”

“You’re dead.”

“Yeah, but I’ve got this stubborn belly fat…” he padded his slightly rounded middle.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. “You’re going to blow my cover.”

“No. That’s why Sebastian isn’t here, since Carma may have made him at the fair. Speaking of, where is she?”

“AH HA! I knew it.” I grabbed my cell.

Me: You sent Reggie to check on me?

Jake: …no?

Me: He’s here.

Jake: Ok?

Me: Why?

Jake: Have you asked him?

I tossed my phone down on the desk and crossed my arms. “I don’t need to be spied on.”

Reggie held his hands. “Calmate, jefe. I’m just here because Sebastian was worried. And when he gets worried, he gets anxious, then I get anxious, and it’s not a good look. I’ve got a date tonight.”

I momentarily forgot to be angry. “Cute rocker guy?!”

“Clint. And yes.” He looked up. “Incoming.”

I spun back around and found Maggie walking back in. She looked up, scanned the room, then stared back down at her stack of papers. “Did I miss anything?”

“I’m going on a date tonight!” Reggie told her. She didn’t acknowledge his presence, thankfully.

“Not really. Just me fighting with an annoying caller.” I shot Reggie a look.

Reggie gasped and pressed his hand to his chest. “Ouch. Words hurt, Mina.”

We all turned to the door when Jake knocked. “Got a ticket about Mina’s computer not connecting to the Internet?” He gave me a long look.

“Oh! Yes, thanks for coming so fast.” I stood, motioning to my chair.

“So, what’s going on here?”

“Just can’t seem to connect,” I said quickly for Maggie’s benefit.

“Stopping by for a visit,” Reggie explained. “Want to meet the woman who’s got Mina in knots.”

I choked on air. Slapping my chest, I nabbed my water bottle and tried to quell the reaction.

“You okay?” Maggie asked.

I gave her a thumbs-up. “I think I’ll run to the bathroom while Jake works on this.”

She waved me away. I glared at Reggie and motioned with my head for him to follow me. “Thanks, Jake. Be right back.”

I marched down the hall and into the small alcove underneath the stairs and pointed for him to move into the corner. “Are you crazy? Carma can see you!” I whisper-shouted. “Which means others probably can too! Why are you really here?”

“We were just worried—”

“Reggie, I swear to god, if you feed me that bullshit again—”

“We saw you on Friday!”

I froze, my face and hands turning ice cold. “What do you mean?”

“We saw you and Carma kissing. Sebastian’s been a wreck all weekend because he’s worried about the consequences. That’s why you haven’t seen him.”

How had I not realized I hadn’t seen Sebastian since Friday morning? Oh yeah, because I either had my tongue down Carma’s throat or was daydreaming about my tongue being elsewhere. I pressed my thumb against my forehead, trying to stop the sudden ache.

“Mina…he knows he should tell Jake if you don’t.”

I sucked in a deep breath then threw my shoulders back. “This ends now. I’m going to get a food sample today and the fundraiser is tomorrow. If we don’t solve it by then, I’ll transfer.” I put my hand over my heart. “I swear. Just tell him to give me a few more days.”

Reggie nodded. “I’ll let Seb know.”

I turned to leave, but then paused. “Do I get to hear about Clint later?”

“In excruciating detail.”

When I walked back into the office alone, Jake looked relieved. “All set here. Shoot me a message if it acts up again.”

With the fundraiser scheduled for tomorrow night, it was all systems go. In fact, I didn’t even get pissy when Rachel stormed in at the exact time Lucinda drove into the parking lot.

“Friday is completely sold out,” she bragged as the boss walked in.

Lucinda motioned for me. “Have you heard from any of my friends? If they don’t get their asses moving, I will give away their spots.”

I nodded and handed her my running list. “Fifteen yeses, thirteen nos. Waiting on twenty-two more responses.”

Lucinda glanced at her watch. “Wait until noon, then call those twenty-two. I need answers today.”

I nodded once. “Yes, ma’am.”

Her security guard walked back to her office and gestured to the parking lot. “Ms. Lucinda, I need to take the Lexus in for service, and I’ll bring your Mercedes back. Do you need anything for the next hour?”

She waved him away. “I’m all set, Phil.”

With a nod, he left and locked the side door behind him. I turned to leave when Lucinda swore. “I forgot to have him run to the cafeteria for me.”

I paused and turned back to face her. This was my chance. “I’d be happy to run to the cafeteria and get you whatever you want.”

She pursed her lips and nodded. “You and Maggie are part of my dream team.” She pulled off her Thinner ID clipped onto her waist band and handed it to me. “Chocolate shake.” She looked at Rachel. “You want anything?”

Rachel handed me her ID. “Each order requires you to swipe an ID card. Passionfruit.”

I nodded. “I’m on it.” When I walked out, I held up the cards for Maggie to see. “I’m off to the cafeteria. Can I get you anything while I’m there?”

Her eyes widened. “So soon?”

I shrugged. “Lucinda seems to think I can do anything.”

“She’s not alone in that thought.” She pulled the lanyard with her ID from around her neck. “I don’t need anything, so grab whatever for yourself. It won’t get you a shake though, I know you’re sad you can’t try one.” She winked at me, and I knew she was making a joke.

I fake laughed and took her card. Dammit. “Thanks. I’ll be back soon.”

As I walked along the edge of the hallway, trying to avoid all the people rushing, I pulled out my phone to text Jake.

Me: got access to cafeteria. Will try to get sample.

Jake: Great job! how?

Me: because I’m magic.

Jake: fair. keep me posted.

I was high on adrenaline when I swiped Maggie’s ID at the double wooden doors and entered the cafeteria. The Holy Grail. I held my breath as I walked in, waiting to hear choirs singing. Or at least a security guard to hassle me.

None of those happened. In fact, I was completely underwhelmed. Linoleum tile, tables with fake wood grain tops, and the standard stainless steel food bar.

Thinner cups were shoved into piles of ice, a glass partition separating them from customers. Three women in suits rushed around me, sliding their ID cards at a reader connected to the register. They each ordered a shake and departed as they came, exchanging no money. From what I understood, the food was free with the annual membership.

Double checking no one was behind me, I moved to the cash register and smiled at the sulky teenager. (5’2”, average build, baggy Thinner shirt and khakis, clearly here for the paycheck. Risk assessment: Would kick my ass in a Tikhon battle…if people battled on TikTok? Was Twitter still a thing? We couldn’t have social media as field agents.)

“Hi, I’m Lucinda’s new assistant?” I said like a question. “Maggie’s busy so Lucinda asked me to come down and get her and Rachel some shakes.”

She didn’t even bother to fake smile at me. Clearly, she was just a college-age kid earning minimum wage. “Just swipe each of their cards and I’ll give you two shakes.” Her monotone voice was actually impressive. I think her and my dad could have a monotone-off.

I pretended to look shy and uncertain. To be fair, I was pretty uncertain. “Lucinda asked me to get her and Rachel two shakes each, since Phil had to leave to take the car to the dealership. Apparently, there was some flat tire issue? She just wanted to be all set for her meetings today.”

The teenager shrugged. “Doesn’t matter what she wants. She made the rules. One shake per ID card every four hours.”

Shit. “Bosses, right? But for real, there’s no way you can give me an exception? Because she’s in a mood today. I don’t want to go back there with only one shake when she wants two.” Her answer was to pop her gum at me. That tracked.

I honestly thought about just jumping over the counter, grabbing the shakes, and dashing out—no way this kid got paid enough to stop me—but then I would probably get fired and lose my shot at my promotion. “Is your manager in by chance?”

“No, Karen. He’s busy at the loading dock.”

“My name isn’t Karen.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” she muttered.

Mina, you cannot punch a teenager in the face just because she’s being an asshole. I counted to ten and took a deep breath. Okay, okay. I’ll just text Jake. Maybe he could copy the ID for me, and I could just come back in four hours.

“Just give me the two shakes. Chocolate and passionfruit.”

Me: any chance U can copy ID card v quickly.

Jake: how quickly?

Me: 5 to 8 minutes?

Jake: not these. would need computer from SHAP for security chip. Could do it by tomorrow.

I shoved my phone back in my pocket, swiped both IDs, and grabbed the shakes from the cashier. I muttered a thank you and studied the cups. They had a plastic top and a safety seal all the way around, meaning there was no way I could open them undetected. A syringe may have worked, but I didn’t have any with me.

I could drop one and “accidentally kick it open,” and scoop some up, but I doubted they gave replacements. If I didn’t come back with both shakes, Lucinda would see it as a strike against trusting me. I needed her to trust me implicitly.

As I walked back to the office, I formed a new plan. I’d drop off the food in my hand, then tell Maggie I was going to run back to get something for myself. Her human ID wouldn’t get me a shake, but on the way, I’d either swipe someone’s ID or…well that was actually the only plan I had. Most people wore their badges on clip, making them pretty easy targets. I’d just have to hope Sulky Teenager wasn’t there when I returned.

When I walked back into the office, Carma was sitting on the edge of her mother’s desk. I hesitated in the doorway. She saw me, then looked down at the floor. My heart beat a little faster as I walked in and distributed the shakes and IDs.

“Carma tells me you two have the fundraiser completely under control,” Lucinda said.

Carma jumped off the desk and smoothed her skirt. “As soon as I update her on my morning.” She grabbed my arm. “I’m stealing her!”

“How’d things with Eliza’s Eats go?” I asked, as we navigated to her office.

“All set and ready to go.” She closed the door behind her and smiled. Then, she pulled me into her arms and kissed me.

I allowed myself to indulge for a moment, then pulled away. “When do we start setting up?”

She blinked at me for a moment, trying to reorient into work mode. “Any time after seven tomorrow morning.”

“I’ll be there are seven on the dot.”

“You’re amazing.” She stepped back and I noticed her purse was sitting on her desk, with her ID attached to it.

It couldn’t be this easy. I just had to distract her, grab her ID, run to the cafeteria and get a sample, then return the card before she noticed. Before I could think too hard about it, before I had the chance to feel guilty, I grabbed her arm and pulled her back into me.

I kissed her hard, deepening the kiss the moment she opened her mouth in surprise. Our teeth clicked together as I moved her toward her desk chair, swiping the ID from her purse and slipping it into my back pocket as we passed.

Guilt tried to nudge its way in, but I shut it down. This was my damn job, and I wasn’t going to apologize for it.

“I have a feeling you are the kind of person someone spends their whole life looking for,” she breathed into my mouth.

I stilled, the words pouring down my throat and warming me from the inside out. No one had ever said anything like that to me before, and I was embarrassed by the way my breath hitched. I didn’t recognize my voice when I asked, “Someone like you?”

She kissed her again. “Yeah. Someone like me.”

My entire mind went blank and everything came down to this moment. I pressed my forehead against the side of her head and whispered, “Can I touch you?”

She smiled. “Definitely.”

I pushed her down into her chair and ran my fingers under her skirt along the inside of her thigh. She scooted forward to the edge of her chair, opening wider. I stopped breathing.

I needed to do this. I shouldn’t need anything but the truth from her, but her words did something to me. Made me want to claim her, taste her, make her swear as she came from my touch.

My heart was pounding so hard, it bruised my rib cage. I moved my hand higher, my fingers brushing against the damp lace of her underwear.

She gasped and gripped the arms of her chair. “It’s been so long,” she admitted.

“For me, too.”

I kissed her again, sucking her tongue into my mouth then retreated. My fingers circled her most sensitive spot before tracing up and down, her body coming alive beneath my touch. “Just so you know, I got a physical last month, all clear.”

She pushed her head against mine, the ends of her hair trailing against the skin of my arm. It may as well have been her tongue. Heat boiled under my skin, and visions of her tangled up in my sheets with her hair spread everywhere flooded my brain. I was halfway to coming from the thought alone.

“Tested…everything’s negative.” She whimpered. “More, please.”

“Anything,” I promised, no longer thinking. I pressed my breasts against her arm, needing the contact, as I slid my fingers past the flimsy lace barrier and touched the source of her heat. She was so wet, so hot. I swore under my breath as I teased her folds, pressing against them without giving her what she needed.

She gripped my arm and pulled me against her harder, desperation taking over. My breathy laugh made her purr, and I was done for. “You make me crazy,” I whispered against the shell of her ear.

I pushed two fingers inside of her and pressed the heel of my hand against her nub, my name a groan on her lips. The silky heat of her body was blocking out anything and everything else. A bomb could’ve gone off and I wouldn’t have stopped.

She ground against my hand, seeking her pleasure. I curled my fingers, finding that spot she needed the most. She wrapped her fingers around my wrist, anchoring me. “I’m close,” she breathed. “Don’t stop.”

Her words sliced me opened and embedded themselves into my skin. “You’re so gorgeous when you’re about to come.”

She stilled, sucked in a breath, then threw her head back, her body tightening and coming apart around my hand. “Fuuuuuck,” she whispered.

I gripped the chair handles to hold myself up. Holy hell, her swearing when she came nearly did me in. “Goddamn amazing,” I breathed. I was practically shaking with my own need, but I couldn’t have her hands touch me. If she grabbed my ass, she’d find the card. She leaned her body into me as she came down, and I tried not to flinch at the weight on my injured shoulder.

Slowly, reverently, I pulled my fingers out of her and kissed her again.

“What was that for?” she asked, almost shy after the encounter.

“Needed you.” I kissed her nose and pulled back.

She gazed up at me, her face completely unguarded and relaxed. My entire body thrummed with how much everything this woman made me feel. “I should get back to work. I’m desperate to taste you, but if I do, we’ll never leave this office.”

She grabbed my hand and sucked my fingers into her mouth. My vision went blurry and for a moment I feared I’d pass out.

“Can I see you tonight?” she rasped.

God, I needed to see her tonight or I’d die. Fuck. Plans with Jake. “I can’t tonight,” I forced out.

She hid it fast, but I caught the disappointment in her eyes. It nearly undid me. “But I’m all yours tomorrow, remember?”

“Absolutely.” She stood and gave me a quick kiss.

I backed out of the room, soaking up her mussed hair, uneven skirt, and swollen lips. I wanted to remember her like this. With a wink, I escaped from her office and practically ran to the cafeteria.

I was panting, a mixture of guilt, adrenaline, and being wound tighter than I had ever been before.

The universe heard my wishes, and a new teen was stationed at the register. This time, I didn’t say a word. Only pointed at what I wanted. In case this was ever traced back to me, I wanted to be as discreet as possible. My hands were shaking as I ran out of the cafeteria and into the closest bathroom.

Me: Got the sample. Can U meet?

Jake: where?

Me: unisex bathroom, southeast from cafeteria.

Jake: be there in 5.

Syncopated knocks on the door alerted me Jake was outside. I unlocked it, yanked him in by his shirt, and shut the door.

“Watch the merchandise,” Jake teased, shaking me off, then leaning on the sink. “Why’re you so wound up?” He took the computer bag off his shoulder and set it on the vanity. He snapped on gloves then extracted a specimen bottle designed to look like a water bottle.

I removed the shake’s seal and lid then handed it to Jake, who poured the contents into the bottle. After sealing it, he handed me the plastic cup to return. “Told my boss I had a vet emergency. I’m heading out now to drop this at the lab.”

I nodded. “Can we put a rush on?” We needed to find an answer fast. I needed this investigation to be done, for everything to go back to normal. For me not to feel this…this pull back to Carma whenever I walked away.

“Last time I tried to put a rush on, it still took three days. They’re backed up since the Madison Heights lab closed for remodeling.”

“Try anyway.”

He nodded. “I’m gonna motor. See you tonight.” He left the bathroom, and I waited a few more minutes before leaving.

Realizing I still hadn’t gotten anything for myself at the cafeteria, I made a third trip and got a cup of tea for Maggie. When I got back, her eyes lit up as I set it down on her desk. “I couldn’t decide on anything, so I brought you back this.”

She cradled the tea in her hands. “Please don’t ever leave me.”

“Not planning on it.”

Carma rushed in frazzled, looking around the floor. “Have either of you seen my ID?”

Shit. “I’ll help you look.” Palming the card, I dropped it to the floor and kicked it under the edge of the open door. I made a show of looking around the area before half closing the door to expose the card. “Bingo!”

I crouched down to pick it up and held it between two fingers. She grabbed it with both of her hands, squeezing mine before she pulled away. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“That’s exactly what I said,” Maggie chimed in.

Neither seemed to notice how forced my smile was.