“No need, Graham. You were magnificent.” Tessa wanted to hug him, but the poor man might faint from the impropriety of it, so she settled for a wink.
Graham blushed.
“However, we do need to speak to Mr. Carmichael about this. And see the security footage you have of the gate. If Hank Littlefield managed to drive straight to the front door, then you have asecurity issue. Normally, that would be your business to handle, but under the present circumstances, we’ll need to be involved.”
“Of course, ma’am. Right this way.”
Fifteen minutes later, they had their answer. They watched the footage as Hank Littlefield slid through the gates on the bumper of a delivery van.
“I can’t make out the logo.” Tessa studied the screen. “What’s in the van?”
“Tables and linens for the event.” Graham shook his head in disgust. “Someone on the staff gave them access but either didn’t watch to ensure that no one else entered or didn’t report it when Mr. Littlefield followed. Either way, itisa breach of our security protocol.”
Tessa already knew that the security on this estate, while extensive, wasn’t as heavily monitored as she had expected. It wasn’t anything the Secret Service couldn’t handle, but it would require more manpower.
When Graham excused himself to make a phone call, Tessa turned to Zane. “We’ll need to borrow some uniforms.”
“Agreed. I’ll make a call when we get to the car. Local law enforcement has already been looped in, but we’ll make sure they know we’re going to need a heavy presence.” Zane paced the small room. “I was hoping we could keep the visit under wraps, but...”
“No chance of that now.” Tessa leaned against the desk. “Littlefield is an eager beaver. He won’t leave this alone.” The unmistakablethwump-thwumpof a helicopter flying low overhead filled the room. “And we’ll need that no-fly zone put in place a few days earlier than planned.”
Zane pointed to the ceiling. “How much you want to bet that’s the news chopper, and Hank’s going to be on at four, five, six, andeleven tonight, sharing all that he doesn’t know with the good people of Raleigh?”
Tessa dropped her head back. “He is such a nuisance.”
“How do you know him?”
Tessa forced herself not to grin as she lifted her head and looked at Zane. He had almost managed to pull off a casual query.
Almost.
But there was raging curiosity—and if Tessa didn’t know better, she would have said a strong vein of jealousy—slicing through his words.
“I was asked to provide input to the school board on their school shooting response plan. My name came up in a public meeting, and next thing I know, he’s following me around town, showing up at the office, slobbering for an interview with me about what it’s like to be a female in the Secret Service.”
“Which you declined.” There was no mistaking the delighted satisfaction in Zane’s voice.
“Repeatedly.”
“THAT MAN WANTSmore than an interview.” Zane could hear the grumble in his tone.
Tessa cut her eyes at him. “In my experience, most men do.”
The unspoken “except you” landed softly.
She didn’t know the full story, though. Sure, he’d put her health, healing, and happiness in front of his own desires. He’d traded any hope of romance for friendship. He had no regrets. It had been the right call. The honorable path.
That didn’t mean he didn’t wish things were different at least twenty times a day.
But, as her friend, he had the right to hassle her about this.Didn’t he? Luke would. So would Gil. If they knew. He’d have to ask Luke tonight.
Before he could question her further, Carmichael entered the room, Graham close on his heels. The next two hours were spent in intense discussion. The security situation turned out to be a simple case of the guard monitoring the gate needing to answer the call of nature. Apparently he left his post a few times a day, and it had never been an issue before.
For the next week, all entry codes would be deactivated. No one would be allowed in unless the guard opened the gate. If he wasn’t available, the guest would have to wait.
After the president left, the codes would be reset and a new procedure put in place.
Mr. Carmichael walked Tessa and Zane to their car. “I’m embarrassed by what happened today, Agents. But also weirdly relieved. This is something that needed to be brought into the light and resolved.”
