“Everything go okay with getting Sara settled in last night?” Stone asked Ash.
“No problems at all. It’s a quite nice apartment.”
“Thank you. And the Strategic Services team?”
“Arrived soon after we did.”
“When you get a moment, I’d like you to check in with whoever’s in charge of the day shift and see if any issues have come up.”
“I did that on my way here and was told it was a quiet night.”
“Glad to hear it. If something does occur, be sure to let me know right away.”
“I will.”
“I trust sleeping in my son’s room was not too much of a burden.”
“I’ve never had such a short commute in my life.”
“I quite like it,” Stone said. “I need to grab a few things and then I’m off.”
“I’ll be here if you need anything.”
“Thanks.”
Ash started walking toward his office.
“Ash?” Stone said.
Ash turned back. “Yes?”
“You’re doing a great job. Just wanted to let you know.”
Ash beamed. “Thank you, Mr. Barrington, uh, I mean, Stone.”
“Make sure you let Joan know I told you that.”
“I will!”
Tamlyn was waiting in theStrategic Services lobby when Stone arrived.
He kissed her cheek. “Thanks for coming in so early.”
“I think you mean, thanks for not going home yet,” she said.
“You were here all night?”
“I made you a promise. But don’t worry too much. We finished up by four, and I was able to nap in my office for a few hours.”
“As soon as you have a few days off, I’ll take you someplace nice, where I can wait on you hand and foot.”
“Don’t you dare forget you said that.”
“Never.”
“You’re making it very hard for me not to take you up to my office and lock the door, but I suppose you don’t have time for that anyway.”
“No, but I will take a rain check.”
