Garnet shook her head. “This is awful.”
Brady nodded. “Yeah. That makes us think the other guy, the one who is taking a vacation, might be the culprit.”
“Could be. He was advanced. No question, technically he could have done it.”
“Did you know either of them well?”
She shook her head. “No. I’m not even sure why they called me here to help. Maybe because of his vacation.”
“Maybe. Do you think they did it because they thought you could figure out a way to send a missile to DC?”
His question hit at something she’d been mulling over in her mind. “I think so.”
She hated being used as a pawn in someone else’s sick game. There was no way, even with the threat of harm, she would have sent a missile to DC. Too many people would have died. And that was something she couldn’t ever do.
Bean leanedback in his chair, weaving his fingers together behind his head. “How much longer do you think you’ll be?”
“Too long not to take a break. I need to eat and sleep.”
“What do you want to eat?”
She shrugged. “Anything.”
“Any allergies, or massive dislikes?”
“I hate slimy food, but I’ll eat it if I’m hungry.”
“So no slimy food. I’ll round up some food. The Marines are still watching out for you. Stay with them and tell them if you’re using the restroom or going to get something to drink.”
She made a face but then nodded. “I hate having extra protection. I’m used to working alone.”
He reached out to squeeze her shoulder, but as soon as he touched her, electricity shot through him, ramping up his desire. This was dangerous. He stepped back, but could see by the way her eyes widened that she felt it, too. Her cheeks went pink, and her lips parted. If he knew her better, he would kiss her. But they didn’t know each other, and he wasn’t going to blow it with her by kissing her here at the embassy. Later, once they were back in the States, he would ask her out.
Bean texted his team, asking them about food. Chase had already made an order with the company the embassy used and had added extra for Garnet. The food would arrive in about five minutes.
He made his way downstairs and grabbed food for both of them when it arrived. The guys were talking about the murder and that they were searching for the guy who’d taken a vacation.
“His name is Carl, and he’s supposed to be in Egypt. The US embassy is searching for him there,” Chase said.
“So, Carl. Maybe more than just the embassy needs to be looking for him,” Mick said.
“He’s probably behind this,” Link said.
“Garnet said she didn’t know him. But it sounds like he asked for her specifically,” Bean said as he checked the bag of food, making sure it was enough.
Keel shook his head. “I wonder if she is someone who gives speeches at conferences these people attend. Otherwise, how would he know to ask for her? He had to have seen her somewhere.”
“I’ll ask her.” Bean headed upstairs, glad he would be able to give Garnet a break. Keel was right. This guy had to have seen Garnet somewhere.
When he made it upstairs, she wasn’t in the office he’d left her in. Panic fired, and he leaned out, asking the Marine if he’d seen Garnet. The guy shrugged, then shook his head.
“I just got on shift. I haven’t seen anyone.”
For a moment, he feared that maybe he was wrong about her. What if she were the one behind all of this? There was no way she was guilty. Then he was panicked for another reason. What if someone had come in here and taken her captive again?
Then the door at the end of the hall opened, and she came out, wiping her hands on a paper towel. Relief slid through him. How had the Marine not known she was in the bathroom?
“Oh, you are back. I thought I could get to the bathroom before you came back. The Marine—oh, you’re a different person,” Garnet said to the young Marine standing in the hall.
