Page 58 of Cold Silence
“They’re both former spec ops guys.”
Julie eyed Claire. “Why all the former guys instead of active duty all of a sudden?”
“Are you kidding me?” Claire tried to sound natural, but it was hard when this was another half-truth. “You know the active guys deploy at a moment’s notice, and our tests come second. How many times have we been waitlisted from that, and then they never show?”
“Gotcha. Former means available.”
Travis was glad Julie caught on, and Claire didn’t have to outright lie.
Claire nodded. “I didn’t get a chance to have them fill out the registration packets with confidentiality agreements. Could you print them out for me, and I can get them signed?”
“Yes, but then I’d like to go. Eric and I have plans to see a movie.”
“Hey, don’t bother with the forms. I can do them. You just go and have a fun time. Tell Eric I said hi.”
“Thank you.” Julie smiled. “Goodnight, Travis. Can’t believe someone broke one of your records.”
“Tell me I can have a redo.” Travis smiled.
“You got it.” Grinning, Julie hurried down the hallway.
Claire continued toward the storage room and unlocked a cubby where she inserted the device and secured the door again. “Let’s make sure the door locks too.”
In the hallway, she double-checked it and then led him toward her office. “I’m glad we didn’t find any additional cameras, but having even one in here is still freaking me out.”
“Understandable.” Travis waited by the door as she gathered items into a leather satchel. “There were no pics from in your house, but we should still do a sweep to check.”
Her hand stilled midair, folder clutched tightly, eyes widening. “You think it’s possible he planted them there too?”
Travis had scared her again. Not good. “Not likely, but anything’s possible and it’s best to check.”
She inserted the folder. “Then let’s get going so we can do that before dinner, and we can relax a bit.”
Relax? Was she kidding? Travis wouldn’t relax until she had her prototype in hand and her stalker was locked behind bars.
14
Transport was a big deal. Much bigger than Claire anticipated. Coop sat behind the wheel of an SUV that he’d parked by the curb. An SUV was parked in front and another behind him. Gage stood by the building. Jackson halfway to Coop’s SUV.
Travis rested his hand on the door. “I’ll step out first. Confirm with Gage that we’re good to go. Then you move as fast as you can into the back of Coop’s vehicle. I’ll be right beside you. Once we’re securely inside, Gage and Jackson will get into their SUVs.”
“Why three vehicles?” she asked.
“The others will have our backs, and we’ll want a rescue vehicle in case anything goes wrong.”
She looked deep into his eyes to gauge his mood. Concerned. Worried even. “You don’t think anything bad will happen though, right?”
“I don’t know, and when I don’t know, I plan accordingly.”
“You’re scaring me.” She shifted the strap of her satchel on her shoulder, clutching it tight to keep from fidgeting.
“Don’t be.” He cupped her elbow and squeezed. “We run these details all the time for high-value political figures. You have the greatest value to me of anyone I’ve protected, and I won’t let anything happen to you. Ever.”
Her heart melted into a big old pile of mush. His protection meant the world to her, but his reasoning for it, even more. “It’s a good thing Gage and his guys are waiting for us.”
“Why’s that?”
“I would be kissing you right now.”
