Leopard, p.18
Leopard, page 18
“Nope.” Adam shook his head. “Once you make love to a certain woman, you never lay down with clothes on around her. It is an emotional impossibility. I know because I met my wife during a case. I still can’t keep my hands off her.”
“I’ve noticed.” Calvin smiled. “Is the house cleaned?”
“Cleaned, the window entrance repaired, only the body remained in place. What did you get from the man?”
“Not much before Leslie appeared.”
“Did you take her with you?”
“No, she followed the tracking information from the computer.”
“She’s the adventurous type?” he questioned.
“No, she is determined.”
Adam nodded, then sat forward. “These people are going to eventually connect the dots. They will come looking for her.”
“I’m trying hard to get her to understand that.” Calvin leaned forward. "The man did not know the Carringtons by name. It was just a job for him. He’s not the brains behind the operation, but there are others working with him.”
“Facial recognition gave us a name, Donald Petty. According to the surveillance recording from the night of the attack, he was one of the men.”
“Have the other men been identified?” Calvin questioned.
“Two others, one is a man named Marvin Weaver. The information has been forwarded to your tablet.” Adam cleared his throat. “Calvin, the President has been briefed on the materials found in the office. The project Zena Carrington was working on will be a significant accomplishment once it is completed. From what I’ve viewed there is a possibility that DiscoveryU has another scientist who may be able to complete the project.”
“He wants you to complete the project before they do,” Calvin surmised.
Adam nodded. “My concern is Leslie. She trusted us with the information from those files.”
“And now we are abusing that trust by selling her mother’s work to the government.” Calvin finished his thought. “Take a look at the file I sent the other night. It will help with the guilt you are feeling.”
“If DiscoveyU completes the project, an energy source of that caliber could be used against us. In fact, we believe the plan is to interfere in the upcoming elections using the voting machines as its target. The power source, when completed, will allow the person in control to literally change the results from any location. Imagine people going to the polls, selecting their chosen candidate, only to have that choice changed in cyberspace. They would have no idea that their votes were changed after the polls closed. If we do not move forward on this project, and we do not uncover who the mastermind is behind this conspiracy, we may never have a free and fair election again. The country will suffer if it gets into the wrong hands and we have no way of stopping them.”
Calvin exhaled. “According to TA it has been verified that Congressman Ackerson is one of the men behind the conspiracy. Justice Cunningham and Director Vance are two more. However, they cannot do this alone. There are people in every state who are a part of this conspiracy. If we can take down the masterminds, it will stop their aggression for now, but others will know the possibility of stealing elections exists. There has to be a deterrent in place that will be powerful enough for them to not even think about trying this again. And make no mistake there will be another attempt.” Calvin stopped talking then asked, “Do you think they are targeting the midterms?”
“That would be the test. If they could complete the prototype in the next eighteen months, test it during the midterms, there is nothing stopping them from using it during the next presidential election. It is imperative that we bring these men down,” Adam stated. “You have to move expeditiously. Your mission is being accelerated.”
“Which of the three is the most powerful in your estimation?” Calvin inquired.
“Ackerson is the most powerful one of the three.”
“That’s our target.” Calvin nodded. “I will find a way to bring him out in the open.”
“You know what is at stake,” Adam advised as he stood. “Use any resources at your disposal.”
Congressman Ackerson was used to his phone ringing at all hours of the night. As a member of congress, when incidents happened around the world, he was one of the gang of eight to be briefed by the national security advisor. The alert from this caller was not from the secure line installed in his home. This alert was from the private line in his study. Easing out of his bed, Ackerson hurried into his private study, closing the door behind him. Putting in a code, he unlocked the secure desk drawer that contained documents related to DiscoveryU and the P.I.E. Organization. He picked up the cell phone inside.
“What is it?” he lightly barked into the phone.
“Another one of my men assigned to your mission is dead. He was found in the safe house you established for lodging.”
“Any leads on who, why, or how?”
“Nothing, the place was cleaned. According to my contact on the force it appears his neck was broken. No forced entry noted.”
“Is it possible one of your other people may have done this?”
“My people would have no reason to kill each other. We pay them handsomely,” the man replied sarcastically. “Two of my men are dead. I can only conclude you have a mole in your camp.”
“That is an impossibility,” Ackerson replied. “No one on my end knows of your existence. It is your job to ensure no one interrupts our plans. We are too close for screw ups. Where are you?” Ackerson inquired.
“At DiscoveryU attempting to identify the police informant.”
“Is there any update on that situation?”
“No.”
“What about the prototype, any news on that front?”
“Nothing, no sign of anything related to the prototype.”
Damn, Ackerson cursed to himself. They needed that prototype finished. “It’s been close to a year, and there is still no documentation to be found of Carrington’s work.”
“Setting the house on fire was a bad call. It is possible the documentation was there.”
“The house was searched, nothing was found.”
“It may be time to reopen the investigation. That detective…what was his name?”
“Ellison.”
“He was getting some leeway. It’s possible the FBI may be able to uncover more,” Ackerson suggested.
“The powers that be here at DiscoveryU do not want that investigation reopened. The FBI may discover projects that may not fall under a legal realm.”
“There may be another way, there have been some questions asked recently by Vice President Lacey.”
“What’s her interest in the case?”
“The woman killed was a friend. I believe she is the godmother to the daughter.”
“That is a dangerous loose end. I still believe the daughter may know something.”
Ackerson thought for a moment. “We may have a way. We’ve had someone on the daughter for a few months now. If she knows anything, he will advise us.”
“How do you want me to proceed?”
“Check into the death of your two men to see where it leads,” Ackerson suggested. “In the meantime, I’ll see what my man can turn up on the daughter.”
“If it is determined the daughter knows too much?”
“Eliminate her. DiscoveryU must be protected at all costs. The completion of that prototype is paramount to our plans. Failure could be catastrophic to our base.”
Chapter 28
Leslie's eyes opened, adjusting to the space. This wasn’t her bedroom or her bed. She was still dressed in her all-black clothes from the night before. Then she remembered. She placed her hands over her face. How embarrassing. She'd snotted all over the man then fell asleep in his arms. Well, that part was kind of nice, she thought. But now she had to face him.
Throwing her legs over the side of the bed she didn’t bother to put on her shoes. It wasn’t hard to find the bathroom. She saw it the moment she walked out of the bedroom, like literally three steps. After using the bathroom, she washed her hands then rinsed her mouth out. The thought of talking to someone without brushing her teeth first was appalling, but she did not have much of a choice. Taking maybe five steps, she was now in the living room. Last night she was too upset to really look around, but now she could see it was neat. A sofa by the door, a single chair against the wall, a coffee table and a huge television mounted on the opposite wall.
She turned to the right and there he was. The man who pissed her off to no end, then held her until she cried herself to sleep. Dressed in a black turtleneck sweater and jeans, he looked like he should be on the cover of a spy magazine for the tall, dark, and sexy. Was there such a thing, she wondered. Feeling a bit self-conscious she pointed to her hair.
“I didn’t twist it last night. Now it’s all over my head.”
Leaning against the countertop with a cup of coffee in his hand, he acknowledged her with a smile. “I think you look adorable.”
“Lies,” she jested with a grin.
His eyes held hers in a way that she didn't want to turn from. They were almost hypnotic in the morning.
“Do you remember our conversation from last night?”
Why did his voice sound like a caress to her this morning. Feeling a little nervous, she leaned against the chair.
“A little,” she replied. It was a lie, she remembered most of the conversation. The promise to trust came to the forefront of her mind causing her to change her answer. “Most of it.”
He stepped away from the counter with an ease she hadn’t seen from him before. There was an aura of confidence about him now. She watched as he turned to the stove. His body moving as if he was in control of the world.
“Good, because the part about trust is going to be tested today. Have a seat. I'll cook you some breakfast.”
His shoulders displayed a quiet strength that flowed down to his arms. Those very arms that held her last night.
“Do you need something?”
Her head snapped from her thoughts. She didn't even see him turn back. “Umm…Do you happen to have an extra toothbrush?”
He nodded. “In the bathroom, in the cabinet under the sink.”
“There was a cabinet in there?” She stepped back and walked into the bathroom searching.
“How did I miss that?” Reaching down she opened the cabinet and was surprised at how neat the cleaning supplies and toothpaste, mouthwash and even paper towels were stacked. Relieved to find the toothbrush and toothpaste she took the time to brush her teeth. Feeling much better, she walked back into the kitchen.
A plate of bacon was on the table, as he pulled the eggs from the pan. He put half on her plate and the other half on his. “Would you like toast with breakfast?”
“No, this is fine,” she replied then took a seat at the small table. “Is this where you live?”
“This is where I stay when I’m in DC," he answered then took a seat across from her.
“How many homes do you have?” She said grace then began eating.
“Three, four if you count my parents' home."
“You indicated you have a home not too far from where I live. Are you there often?”
“When I’m not on an assignment.”
“I’m your assignment, so will you be there more?” Why did she ask that question? Did she sound desperate? The truth was, she wanted to know if he would be around. She watched as he put a forkful of eggs in his mouth, then groaned. His lips looked so thick and smooth. She released a long breath causing him to look up at her.
“Leslie, I’m going to be around to help you. I don't want you to ever doubt how deep my compassion is for your loss. Or for your determination to get justice for your parents. I understand, and I'm going to do everything in my power to make that happen. Which means things will be escalating.”
“Escalating how?” She could not help but notice he looked damned good sitting across the table from her or how the velvety, smooth sound of his rich, deep voice made her feel.
“I am going to put some things in place to try to draw the person out who killed your parents. The man we found last night was just a hired hand. He was not the mastermind.”
She bit a slice of the bacon, hoping to get thoughts of his intense eyes from her mind. “How are you going to draw him out?”
“This is where the trust factor comes in. I need you to trust that I will do what is needed to protect you.”
Looking back up at him, she could see the promise in his eyes. Tia is going to freak when I tell her about his effect on me this morning, she thought. Hell, she was freaking out about it herself.
“I trust you, Calvin.” She nodded, as she held his eyes. “I trust you to do all you promised. It’s all in your hands now.”
“No more going out at night looking for people?”
“No, no more going out, but I will continue to investigate.” She smiled. “Now I need you to promise me something.”
“What?”
“Will you ask questions before killing the man?”
His lips began to curve upward at the edges, but his eyes were still questioning her.
“I will do the best I can to get answers.”
A knock sounded at the door. Neither of them moved to acknowledge the interruption. Their eyes remained captivated.
Calvin broke the connection when he stood. “I’ll get the door.”
Watching him walk to the door, that feeling that hit her the first time she met him settled right in the area between her thighs. Damn, the man had a body on him - tall, slim, with well-defined broad shoulders. So much had been happening she forgot his physique was a work of art.
“Your vehicle is here.” The man at the door caught her attention.
“Thank you,” Calvin replied.
Leslie looked at the guy then frowned. He looked a lot like the guy who drove her home the night Hammer saved her. Was that odd? She was about to take a closer look, but the man had turned his back as Calvin closed the door.
“I’m going to need to check out a few things before going back to your office building. But I don’t want you going there without me. I talked to Tia last night. She’s going to come stay with you for a few days.”
“You called Tia?”
“Actually, she called you. I answered your phone.”
“Tia called me…wait, you answered my phone?”
“I did.” He cleared the plates from the table.
“Did anyone else call?”
“Your godmother,” he said while filling the dishwasher. “I told her you were okay and resting.”
“Okay, my new secretary, anyone else?”
“If you want to know if your boyfriend called, he did not.”
“Associate, not boyfriend; he's just someone I know,” she corrected. It was important that he understood that Dylan was not a boyfriend. “We never slept together.” Why on earth did she say that.
He stared at her. A twinkle appearing in his eyes. “I don’t recall asking.”
“I just wanted you to know.” Her nerves were taking control of her mouth. This is what happened when she liked a guy and didn't know what to say.
“About last night,” they both spoke in unison.
She chuckled. “You first.”
“No, what were you about to say?”
“I lost control and cried all over you. Please accept my apology for that. It was the first time I’ve felt comfortable enough to really let go. Thank you for giving me that moment.”
“A moment,” he chuckled. “You cried for hours.”
“I did not.” She smiled.
“No, you didn’t and you don’t have to apologize. I’m happy you felt comfortable enough to let me be there for you.”
The look in his eyes warmed her in a way that simply made her melt. The memory of his arms around her sent shivers up her spine, tingles to her toes, and longing between her thighs. It was the first time in a long while that she wondered what it would feel like to be made love to.
She cleared her throat as the look seemed to linger with unspoken tension in the room. “What were you about to say?”
His eyes still lingered on her. The warmth was beginning to feel more like a furnace about to kick into full gear.
“You snore.”
She gasped. “I do not.”
“It’s light and cute, but you do snore.” He came to stand so close to her that they were breathing the same air. He brushed her hair from her face. “It’s time to get you home.” He picked up her coat. “I have a few people to see, but I will call you when I get back to Richmond.”
“Okay.” And just like that the moment faded. Leslie put her arm through the coat he held up, then picked up her bag. The two stood there in a comfortable but charged silence. She kissed his cheek. “Thank you,” she said, then walked to the door.
His hand grabbed her around the waist and pulled her body to his. Her lips parted on a gasp, right before his lips took custody of hers. They parted for a second, their eyes met, then those thick lips of his captured hers in a searing, brand my name on that ass kiss, and her world exploded. The scorching heat filling her panties took second thought to the sensuous kiss that torched every vessel in her body. Then he slowly brought the kiss to an end.
“Whenever you kiss me…kiss me like that.”
He took a step back, then opened the door.
Leslie was dumbfounded, her mind in a flabbergasted state. Should she stay or should she go?
“How're you going to kiss me like that and expect me to be able to drive home?” she whispered as she looked into his eyes. If it was possible, his eyes became darker, more sensuous.
“Staying here is not an option.”
“Why not?” she heard herself purr.
He picked up his jacket. “If we stay, I’m going to make love to you, over and over and over again. Neither of us will have the strength to leave.”
Chapter 29
“Dad, you got a minute?”
Calvin Sr. stood up from his desk then walked around to hug his son. “This is a rare occasion. Is everything alright?”
