Brutal Obsession (The Safeguard Series, Book One) by Kennedy Layne Read Free Book Online

wasn’t long before he’d stepped around the metal detector, had his status verified, and had his weapon logged as permitted past security.
    “You speak of Ms. Ellis as if you know her,” Agent Coulter pointed out, having followed the same routine with the exception of only showing his FBI identification and badge to the guards and being allowed through without further delay. He pointed to the elevator bank straight ahead. “Isn’t your firm based out of Florida?”
    Keane could have said he’d yet to spend the night in the Sunshine State, but didn’t want to get into specifics now that strangers surrounded them in their bid for the elevator. Someone had already pressed the button and all they could do now was wait. He kept his answer brief.
    “We’ve met previously.”
    A lone ding resounded through the lobby followed by the swoosh of the elevator doors opening. It was the end of the day and there were more people exiting than there were entering. It took a moment for the transfer of humanity, but eventually the small group of people standing alongside Keane and Coulter were finally ascending to their ultimate destination.
    The short ride was made in silence as they disembarked on the second floor, although Keane did take time to memorize the faces of those beside him. He’d watched their movements in their reflections on the polished plastic of the employee information board. He’d always had the ability to recall the smallest of details while quickly learning the habits of others. The man standing directly in front of Keane lowered his right shoulder every six seconds, most likely due to an old sports injury. He didn’t have the bearing normally associated with former military members. The woman looking up at the display numbers blinked rapidly in unease every time the gentleman behind her cleared his throat, which had only been twice in the man’s defense. She was either a germaphobe or she’d been abused in some way to cause such a strong reaction. Either way, the blonde showed a dislike for him and his proximity to her.
    “An established rapport should make your job that much easier,” Coulter said after they’d vacated the elevator and started down the hallway. Keane purposefully slowed his steps so he could evaluate his surroundings. “Although Ms. Ellis wasn’t too accepting of my suggestion that she vary her routine. You’ll have your work cut out for you, since she’s so determined to act as if this isn’t a major problem for her.”
    Keane was well aware of just how dedicated Ashlyn was to her profession. Neither one of them had been willing to give up their careers and established lives for one another. Could they have handled ending their relationship on better terms, given their respective situations? Absolutely, but they hadn’t. It had ended badly. Cruel words had been exchanged and the only way past that was through time, regret, and forgiveness. He chalked it up to both of them being passionate beings who laid their hearts on the line, only to fail at the most intimate of times. Would she be able to let bygones be bygones?
    “Agent Coulter, may I help you?”
    The woman who’d called out to Coulter was rather petite with short auburn hair and black-rimmed glasses. It was as if she was trying to present a professional appearance and yet maintain the air of a sexy librarian for those willing to pay attention to her quirks. She was standing behind her desk, where her nameplate was visible. Keane didn’t have to read it to know this was Gina Nelson, Ashlyn’s administrative assistant and seasoned right hand. Her photograph, along with her biography, had been included in the files Calvert had supplied to Keane. The bit about her annual trips to Acapulco with her college sorority sisters had been interesting enough to warrant a second read through.
    “Yes, I need to speak with Ms. Ellis regarding her case.”
    Gina had given Keane a cursory glance, but apparently concluded he was some