Veiled Intentions by Delores Fossen Read Free Book Online Page A

indication that Addison Merrick has been investigating us?” she whispered to the person on the other end of that communicator.
    Joe wished he’d thought of the question first, which was only more proof that he needed a serious mental adjustment. This case was critical. People’s lives were at stake, including theirs. Heck, even his promotion to lieutenant was probably riding on this. It was no time for lust.
    He repeated all of that to himself several times and hoped those reminders stayed reminders for the rest of this assignment.
    â€œHe didn’t trigger any info markers to indicate an investigation,” the other officer answered through thecommunicator. “But then, with his resources, that’s not surprising.”
    In other words, Merrick could have done a full-scale check on them—or rather on their false identities—and they wouldn’t have known.
    â€œHypothetically, what would Merrick have learned?” Joe asked.
    He glanced at the person who stopped at the end of the hallway. Bruce Donovan. Joe didn’t think it was his imagination that the man cast a suspicious glance their way. It made sense. If there’d been a computer search, Donovan would have likely been the one to do it. But the real question was—had Donovan instigated that search on his own, or had Merrick ordered it?
    â€œThe only thing Merrick could have gotten was what was in the fake files we created for you and Detective O’Malley,” the officer explained. “Fake employment and financial records. Phony e-mail accounts. The addresses of the apartments that were rented to support your covers. That sort of thing. If they went after your real backgrounds, we’d know.”
    Katelyn opened her mouth, probably to respond to that, but she’d obviously not seen Donovan and his spying eyes. Just in case the man was eavesdropping, Joe did a quick maneuver and put his mouth right against her ear.
    â€œSave your questions,” he mumbled. “We have company.”
    She groaned softly.
    So with this latest round of surveillance, thingsweren’t going exactly as planned. Joe had hoped to establish the pretense of the reunited couple, leave Katelyn in the reception area and have a look around while she covered for him. He’d only managed the first of those and would likely have to save that search for another day. They would have to return anyway in two days, on Thursday, to announce their engagement. By then, he’d figure out a way to do the search.
    â€œFiona Shipley’s about to drive away,” Joe heard the backup officer announce into the communicator.
    â€œGo after her.” And that meant with the heavy scrutinization from Merrick and Donovan, it was a good time for him to get Katelyn out of there, as well. He caught her arm. “Let’s say our goodbyes. We’ll come back later for your car.”
    â€œWait.” She held her ground. “We still haven’t looked around the place.”
    â€œAnd it won’t happen tonight.” Joe had to pull her closer to him so he could whisper. “You heard—things aren’t exactly routine around here, and now we’re without backup because they have to go after Fiona Shipley.”
    She wanted to argue. He could see it in the depth of those slightly narrowed eyes. Heck, he wanted to argue, too. And he really wanted to stay and see what he could find. But he wouldn’t do that at the expense of further risking her life. There were already enough risks without him bending the rules.
    Since there was no way to make this sound better, Joe just came out with it. “It’s time to act as if we’re ready to drag each other off to bed.”
    Which wouldn’t be much of a stretch for him.
    A few mumbled words of profanity from her, but she cooperated by sliding her arm inside his coat and around his waist. She even added a sultry chuckle and nudged him playfully with her