“You’re probably right.”
“I was kind of hoping you’d give me all the reasons I’m wrong.”
“Sorry. But if they didn’t already know where the event will be taking place, anyone paying attention would be able to figure it out. In fact, it doesn’t say much for Hank’s supposed investigative skills that he thought we were there for a financial investigation.”
“True.”
What a lot of people didn’t realize was that the agents on the protective detail didn’t do financial investigations. They protected. That was it. The PID and local agents did most of the investigative work, even related to the threats that came up. And advance agents were involved in the investigations only on the front end as they tried to weed out the real threats from bogus ones. To anyone with an understanding of Secret Service methods, Zane’s presence at the Carmichael estate could only mean one thing. The president of the United States was coming for a visit.
On top of that, when the local office was asked to assist on a protective assignment, all other work ceased. The Raleigh RAIC had only one objective for the next seven days. Protect the president. When he returned to DC in a week, the agents would resume work on their current cases, but until then, those investigations would wait. No one was interested in any financial crimes the Carmichaels may or may not have committed. Not this week, anyway.
And to Tessa’s knowledge, the Carmichaels were clean. They were influential. And while they had some friends who walked the fine edge of shady, there was no evidence that the Carmichaels were anything other than what they appeared to be.
Zane waved at Greg but didn’t slow down for a chat as they exited the building. “The president and Marshall Carmichael were fraternity brothers. They speak regularly and rarely about politics. It’s all about their families and people they both know. Catching up. The way normal people do with someone they genuinely like. Carmichael will give us access to whatever we need. He wants thepresident to visit, and while I’m sure he’ll benefit from it socially, financially, and professionally, I think he mostly wants to give his friend an easy evening. Some of these fundraisers are ridiculously stressful. The president has to be prepared to cover all kinds of topics and also keep the base happy. But this? A small number of already committed supporters, in the home of a decades-long friend? This should be a home run.”
Zane had talked all the way to the car, but Tessa wasn’t fooled. He was scanning the parking lot, searching for any sign of a threat.
“Zane, nothing’s going to happen tonight.”
“What makes you so sure?”
“The threat came in a few minutes ago. They’ll need some time to pull it all together.”
They discussed what kind of person would make such a ridiculous threat as Tessa drove Zane to the hotel. When she pulled into the circular drive and stopped in front of the valet station, she had a brief flashback to the last time they’d been here. They’d all been staying on the top floor as a protective measure. She and Zane had a huge fight. If she’d listened to him then, she could have spared both of them a lot of hurt. And maybe made it possible for them to explore something beyond friendship.
“Thanks for the ride.” Zane climbed from the car. “I’ll come in with Rodriguez and Carver tomorrow.”
“Sounds like a plan. Good night.”
“Night.” He gave her a small salute and walked into the hotel lobby.
Tessa pulled away from the curb, but she didn’t go straight home. It took her five minutes to spot the tail. She’d thought it was there earlier, but now she was sure. It might be pointless to lose them. It wouldn’t be that difficult for anyone to discover where she lived, but she wasn’t going to idiotproof it for them.
She lost the tail in four turns. It would be easy to think it was because of her prodigious driving skills, but it had more to do with the fact that she knew Raleigh roads better than most. She’d been intentional about learning them, and the effort served her well tonight.
She drove around for another fifteen minutes before she pulled into her parking garage. She paid a lot of money for her space and had considered dropping it. Right now, she was thankful for its proximity to the lobby. She walked in, nodded to the doorman, and took the elevator.
When the doors opened, the hall was clear. Her door appeared to be unmolested. She entered with her keycard and made short work of clearing every room. Only then did she slide out of her shoes and jacket. She dropped her badge and keys in the small bowl on the shelf by the door where she usually left them, but for now, she kept her weapon.
She should tell the guys. Not because she couldn’t take care of herself, but because they were a team. She would string them up if they had a tail and didn’t share. She walked to the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and guzzled it. Then she sat in her favorite chair and pulled out her phone.
ZANE’S PHONE BUZZED,and he yanked it off the nightstand by the bed. This group text hadn’t been active in several months. It included Tessa, Luke, Gil, Benjamin, and him.
Tessa
Picked up a tail after dropping Zane off. Lost it fast. Not skilled. Took my time getting home. No evidence of anyone having been around. Apartment secure.
Luke
Want company?
Tessa
Thanks, but no. I’m going to call the doorman. Make sure he knows I’m not expecting guests.
Gil
What time are you planning to come in tomorrow?
