She went still, missed a step, and he adjusted for it. “That’s quite a coincidence, don’t you think?”
He didn’t answer right away. His attention locked on Burnside, the mysterious envelope now tucked inside his jacket.
“What’s her connection to Kedrov?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” he murmured.
With more questions and this new intrigue, the dance wasn’t nearly as much fun anymore. Soon, the music swelled then ended.
When they exited the dance floor, Erica excused herself. “I’m going to find the ladies’ room.”
“I’ll walk you.”
“That isn’t necessary—”
“I’ll walk you.” His tone left no room for argument.
They crossed the ballroom and into a much quieter hallway together.
Outside the ladies’ room, she turned to him. “I think I’ve got it from here,” she teased. “Are you going to stand guard?”
“Yep.”
She leaned up and brushed a kiss against his cheek. “I’ll be two minutes.”
Inside, when the door swung closed behind her, the noise of the crowded ballroom dulled to a hum. She strode through the powder room into the interior where her steps faltered then stopped short. A woman with long auburn hair stood at the sink in a familiar crimson gown.
Their eyes met in the mirror.
“Why are… I… You shouldn’t be here,” she stammered, clearly unsettled by her presence.
She edged closer. “I suspect you shouldn’t be here either.”
“I’m working,” she said, dropping her lipstick into her bag.
“I saw that. But for whom, exactly?”
Shannon tensed, all color draining from her face. “Excuse me,” she said, moving past her. Their shoulders brushed.
It was brief, but enough. Erica braced for what followed.
Fear. Pressure. The sense of being watched. Urgency.
A tightening in her chest that wasn’t hers. And a warning that didn’t come in images so much as instinct.
Then images surfaced—a metal door, a lock, the impression of something or someone behind it. Either way, it was of great importance to Shannon.
“I don’t know what you think you saw,” she said, pulling away. “But you’re wrong.”
She glanced nervously at the door, as if someone might be listening. Then she turned, but instead of leaving, she walked into a stall and all but slammed the door shut.
Erica stood frozen, one thing crystal clear. Shannon was in it deep, and it terrified her.
Chapter 28
Outside in the corridor, Coop watched the flow of guests. Most were heading toward the exits. The protest outside had grown in both numbers and volume. The doors opened briefly as security hurried through, letting a burst of chanting echo down the hall.
“Looks like things are getting lively out there.”
