“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
The deputies sent chin lifts in Zane’s direction and walked back to the car. It did not escape his notice that Deputy Andrews did not get closer to the car than twenty feet or that his hand strayed tohis weapon on more than one occasion. Zane nudged Tessa’s arm. “Pretty sure you and Deputy Andrews have something in common.”
His remark elicited a small but genuine smile from Tessa. “Yes. He told me he drew the short straw when they got the call. At one point he was sweating so much, I was afraid we might need an ambulance.”
Faith joined them and threaded her arm through Tessa’s. “Can I walk up to your apartment with you?”
“Of course.”
Tessa turned back to Zane. “We have an appointment at the Carmichael estate at one. I don’t want to miss it.”
“Okay.”
She held out a fist to Luke, then Gil. “Thanks for having my back.”
“Anytime,” both men said in unison.
With one last look at Zane, she left the parking garage with Faith. When they were out of earshot, Gil and Luke converged on him.
Gil turned to Luke and tapped a finger to his chin, his expression one of deep concentration. “Luke, help me out here. But last night when we left, it wasn’t my imagination, was it, that they”—he waved a hand in Zane’s direction—“were not in what one would call a good place?”
“That was my assessment as well.” Luke turned to Zane. “What exactly happened last night after we left?”
Zane studied the ground. “Gentlemen, that is a conversation for another time.”
Gil turned to Luke. “We should have expected this. Zane’s not the type to kiss and tell.”
“Nice try, Dixon.” Zane laughed at Gil’s crestfallen expression. “But my secrets are not so easily unveiled.”
Luke shrugged. “We’ll know soon enough. Faith will get the scoop before they get back down here. She’ll tell me. I’ll tell everyone else. Done and done.”
Gil extended his hand to Luke. “Good man.” Luke shook it.
He didn’t bother to tell them that he didn’t care. If Tessa told Faith, that was fine. But all they’d done so far publicly was share a hug after an intense experience. They might have done that regardless.
Zane checked his watch. “We need to get to the office, but before we do, I want to put this out there.” Luke and Gil gave him their full attention. “I don’t know what this is, but I don’t think it was done by the same people who complained about a woman guarding the president.”
“Why not?” Gil asked.
“The candy. The snakes. These are very specific to Tessa, but at the same time, they are things she might, theoretically, share with someone in casual conversation.”
Luke picked up Zane’s train of thought. “They’re personal but not private.”
“Exactly. Which means whoever is behind these attacks has either spent time with Tessa or has talked to someone who has. It’s unlikely our misogynists have that kind of access to her.”
Gil frowned. “Are you telling me you think someone is after her, and it’s a coincidence that it’s this week while she’s preparing for a presidential visit?”
“No. I don’t think any of this is coincidence. I think there’s a pattern, a plan, something that ties it all together that we aren’t seeing yet. But it definitely has Tessa at the center.”
23
ZANE TOOK LUKE’S CARand drove Tessa to the Carmichael estate. She’d left instructions with Luke and Gil, called Carver and Rodriguez and checked on their status, and had a five-minute phone call with Benjamin that involved her saying two words and listening the rest of the time. Whatever he said to her, the effect was positive, so Zane was good with it.
They passed through security with no difficulty and parked in the circular drive. Graham waited for them at the door and whisked them inside immediately. No hanging around outside where any pesky reporters could snag a photo today.
“Please wait here.” Graham left them in the same room they’d been in on Friday.
“Look. The painting is back.” Tessa walked over to the spot where the print had been on Friday. She studied it and smiled. “It fits the room better.” She leaned closer to one corner, eyes narrowed, expression blank.
