Page 134 of Smoke Screen
“What?” She shrugged. “He’s funny.”
Irritated with the lot of them, Phin rolled his eyes. “We’re on our way to you now. After we talk to Thompson, we need to huddle up.”
“Ya think?” Zeke said. “Do you know—and I’m talking a solid address—where the stuff is?”
“According to the dude we met with, it’s in a warehouse on the east side of Charlotte. I don’t have the address yet. He’s giving us a map and exact details on the location. I don’t want us going in blind. It’s not ideal prep, but this afternoon we’ll come up with a plan and tonight, we roll.”
Maddy heldher breath as she pushed through the circular door—the visitor’s entrance—to the Thompson Center.
For over two years, she’d loved coming to work. Being entrusted with thousands upon thousands of items belonging to a former president and given the opportunity to tell a story with those items.
The historical significance alone mesmerized her, never mind her role in preserving it.
How, in a matter of days, had she gone from being a valued team member to one under suspicion?
As much as her logical self understood the need to put her on leave, her emotional self, the one wanting everyone satisfied, recognized the sting of betrayal. That nasty bite plunging into her and spreading venom.
Could she ever walk in here, no matter what entrance, and not think about being accused of stealing?
Once through the door, she waited for Phin, right behind her. He stepped free of the door, his hand immediately going to his hair to straighten it. The move was done with such ease she imagined he did it by rote. A habit. Part of his super-schmoozer persona.
So much to learn.
He set his hand on her back, sliding it slowly to the base of her spine. A soft flutter—the swish—tickled her belly, and she paused for a second, taking it in.
Phin Blackwell.
The bright spot of this experience.
He leaned in, bringing his mouth close to her ear, his warm breath cascading over her skin. Just last night, in bed, he’d done that. Telling her all the things he’d intended on doing to her and …ooh-eee. Her cheeks flamed.
Phin Blackwell.
Bright spot.
“Hey,” he whispered. “I know this is tough, but if all goes well, we’ll have answers soon. I need you to stay focused.”
Not exactly the dirty talk her mind had looped back to, but enough to get her locked in again.
She nodded. “It’s all so confusing. We’re about to walk up there and accuse Louis. He’s a good kid.”
“That good kid may have set you up.”
“I trusted these people.”
“I know,” he said. “I’m sorry. Sometimes people are shitty.”
A simple, yet devastating statement. Louis had everything.Twoparents who loved him, private school educations, and an uncle who—oh, yeah—happened to be the former president of the United States mentoring him. How many people received that abundance?
Not her.
The inequity of it baffled her. She’d lost her father and then clawed for every opportunity. Good Girl Maddy did everything expected of her. Subjected herself to unrelenting pressure to ensure everyone in her world was happy. Happy, happy, happy.
This was her reward for all that work?
Focus.Phin was right. Soon they’d have answers.
“Hello, Ms. Maddy.” She swung her head, spotted Percy, the security guard, coming toward her, one hand extended.
