“What’s the password?” she asked, lowering her voice.
“What?”
“I’m sorry, that’s incorrect.” She rushed to close the window, but his hand caught it and pressed it back open.Man, he’s got lightning-fast reflexes.
“Quit screwing around,” Drake growled from outside. “We don’t have time for games.”
Jamie had to stop herself from sticking her tongue out at him. “You’re the one who took your sweet time getting over here.”
“It made sense to wait to hit the office until afternoon. Security shift change is at 3:00. If we go in while they’re distracted, no one should even know the restricted area is occupied.”
Apparently, Drake didn’t share her aversion for planning. Which was undoubtedly a good thing, considering. “Why are you at the window?” she asked, curious as to why he’d forgone the front door.
“We shouldn’t be seen together today. In case anyone is watching. I plan to act as your shadow, as usual, and follow you to NASA. Then I’ll join you right before we use the badge.”
Jamie shrugged. It sounded logical enough. She grabbed her oversized bag from where it was hanging on the chair and moved to close the window.
“You’re not lugging that huge thing around with you, are you?” There was a note of annoyance in his gravelly voice.
Jamie smiled sweetly. “Of course I am. It has all of my supplies in it.”
“It’s not exactly inconspicuous, since you could fit a human child in there.”
“Depending on their size, I could maybe fit two,” she said, then she shoved against the window again to shut it, forcing him to remove his hands or risk losing some fingers.
Jamie locked the apartment door behind her, jogged down the front steps, and hit the sidewalk, heading for the nearby Metro stop. Although he wasn’t in her sight, she knew Drake was somewhere behind her, following at a safe distance.
She was surprised at the sense of security that this knowledge brought. Having a man like Drake to protect her, to know that he would let no harm come to her, made a calmness descend over her like she’d never known. Jamie decided to enjoy the feeling and not worry too much about what it might mean.
The next train pulled into her station after a few moments and she boarded, taking a seat next to a little old woman and positioning her bag on her lap. Jamie resisted the temptation to crane her head around to catch sight of her shadow. Although she might think he was being overly cautious, she trusted Drake. If he thought there was a possibility that they were being watched, then she’d play it safe and stay in spy-mode.
Their simple plan ran through her head, and she was startled to realize that, although there were a million things that could go wrong, she wasn’t worried. Jamie chalked her absence of anxiety up to Drake’s confidence. She barely knew him, but somehow she was certain he’d achieve his goal.
Which meant she would achieve hers.
She hopped off the train at the stop nearest to NASA and headed off to her destination. The structure was unassuming, just another government building packed with underfunded offices. She looked up at the wall of windows and concrete, took a deep breath, and headed for the entrance.
Ignoring the displays of space history around her, she headed towards the first security checkpoint. Jamie nodded at the security guard while she pulled out her badge. Lance had insisted that she be given a non-secured badge so she wouldn’t have to sign in every time she entered. The guard gave her a smile as she placed her bag on the conveyor belt, praying as always that it didn’t get stuck this time through.
She retrieved her bag and nodded, headed past the main desk and to the bank of elevators. The target offices were on the 8th floor and they had their own security desk which limited access to the secured areas.
Suddenly she felt him behind her. She didn’t have to turn around to know that Drake was a few inches away, waiting patiently for the elevator. There was a faint chime and the door opened. Jamie walked in and turned, her eyes sliding over Drake, keeping up the pretense that he was a stranger and beneath her notice.
Catching sight of the camera that watched over them both, Jamie focused on her breathing and pretended boredom. Her heart rate had increased, and she finally started to feel a tendril of anxiety uncurling in her stomach.
She was a fashion buyer, an assistant really, and not an international spy. What did she know about sneaking through security and uncovering confidential information? Wasn’t there some sort of hefty fine or extended jail sentence connected with what she was about to do?
Suddenly, as if he could sense her disquiet, Drake moved in closer, his shoulder brushing hers. Even this barest contact helped to steady her. What choice did she have? She had to do whatever she could to get her sister back.
The elevator doors opened, and she squared her shoulders, prepared to walk out and meet her fate.
Time to be brave, Jamilla.
Before she could make her exit, Drake pulled her behind him. “Make yourself small and remain perfectly silent. Follow my moves, and don’t let anyone know you’re behind me.”
He started off towards the security desk and she crouched low, linking her steps with his and praying she was in sync enough to fool the guards behind the desk. Although she couldn’t see much from her position, she knew there were two guards talking there. She could hear them. Papers were shuffling, and a conversation about those who had checked in earlier was in progress.
Drake was right. It’s shift change. Let’s hope they’re distracted enough not to question him.
