Bare Facts by Katherine Garbera Read Free Book Online Page B

my place so I can pack a bag for the trip to Seattle?”
    He arched one eyebrow at her. “I don’t mind. Give Henry your address.”
    She leaned forward, giving the chauffeur the information he needed. Bringing Daniel to her private space might not be the best idea, but she knew her house was secure and she could protect him there from any threat.
     
    Daniel was surprised when the Rolls stopped in front of a gated house just outside of the metro D.C. area. Charity leaned out the window and keyed a code that opened the gate. Henry pulled through and Charity asked him to wait until the gate closed before continuing up the drive.
    She was cautious and alert until the gates closed and they started up the driveway. Her house was large—too large for one person, but he was getting the impression that security was important to her. Maybe he could convince her to stay at her home until the threat from Sekijima passed. Then she’d be out of harm’s way and he wouldn’t have to take her to Seattle with him.
    “Henry, you can wait in the portico around the side there. There’s a gas pump if we need to refuel as well as a kitchen area if you’re hungry.”
    Daniel exited the car. “How long will we be?”
    “I’m not sure. I have to wait for Justine to give us the all-clear.”
    “I’m not used to just sitting around,” he said.
    “We can use this time to talk about a strategy,” she said as Henry pulled away. She led the way up the stone stairs to her front door.
    She keyed in a code and the door unlocked with an audible click. Daniel reached for the knob and held the door open for her. She smiled her thanks and entered the house.
    She paused in the doorway as if reluctant to let him in. But then she walked inside and he followed her.
    The foyer was exquisitely crafted with art glass. Not Tiffany but maybe Chihuly. The floor was a mosaic design that felt Japanese to him, a circular design of a man and a woman wrapped around each other in yin/yang pose. Around them were different elements—earth, fire, water, air.
    Above them in the three-story-tall atrium was a huge glass installation that mirrored the colors on the floor. Especially when they stepped into the foyer and she opened a walnut panel door concealed in the wall.
    “This is my command center,” she said.
    He followed her inside. One wall was lined with monitors, another wall with a floor-to-ceiling cabinet, and the last wall with computers. Not just one but three. There was a Liberty Investigations logo dancing on one of the screens, a picture of Charity and Justine and Anna on another screen, and a samurai on the last one.
    “Is this where you plot to take over the world?” he asked, half joking.
    “I could. But I prefer to use my powers for good and not evil.”
    She said it in jest but he knew that she was solidly on the law-abiding side. That was what made his attraction to her so impossible. He knew that nothing could come of it. Nothing other than a red-hot affair. Besides, his life was in danger and someone was trying to kill him. Not exactly the time to be thinking of getting involved with any woman.
    But then, sensible had never been one of the qualities he aspired to. She went to the computer with the Liberty Investigations logo and sat down, her long fingers moving over the keyboard. He didn’t read over her shoulder, but looked around the room. He opened the door to the cabinet and noticed that it was lined with weapons. Not just handguns but assault rifles and grenades. Fighting swords, aikido sticks, knives…every possible weapon known to man.
    “Very impressive arsenal you have here.”
    “Thanks. I like to be prepared for anything. I still can’t believe I let that assassin slip by me.”
    “Don’t beat yourself up over it. Most people wouldn’t risk getting hit by a bus.”
    She shrugged. She finished typing and turned to him. “Okay, so what are we up against? Sam said you wanted to set yourself up as bait—how do plan to do