Page 36 of Lethal Sins

The guard’s mouth fell open. “I ... well, I suppose I could make a call ...”

She pressed the advantage, her voice dripping with condescension. “I assure you, the proper documentation was filed. I prepared it myself. This hiccup is costing us precious time. Our boss won’t be too happy with your boss, but sure, call and check. It’ll just take us that much longer to complete the audit. The office staff here won’t mind staying late, I’m sure,” she added sarcastically.

“No, no, that won’t be necessary,” the guard said hastily. His nose wrinkled as another waft of the sewage smell hit him.

Paige could practically feel his eagerness to be rid of them. “I’m sure it just hasn’t been entered into the system yet. Go on through.”

Bridger nodded curtly. “Smart choice.”

As they passed through the checkpoint, Paige allowed herself a moment of satisfaction. She caught Bridger’s eye, seeing her own relief mirrored there. They’d cleared the first hurdle. Now, for Cody to do the same.

They had barely taken a few steps when a familiar voice rang out behind them.

“Excuse me!”

Paige turned—her face a carefully constructed mask of annoyance—to see Cody striding towards them. His face was set in an expression of officious impatience that almost made her smile. Instead, she let out an exaggerated sigh.

Cody flashed an ID at the front desk guard. “I’m with the Justice Department. I’ve been ordered to keep eyes on these GAO folks.”

The guard protested, but Cody stared him down. “My orders come from Oval. You know what that means, right?”

Paige exchanged a quick glance with Bridger, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. Everything was going according to plan.

Cody caught up to them, his voice unnecessarily loud. “Let’s get this audit moving, people. I haven’t got all day to babysit pencil pushers.”

As they continued down the hallway towards the East wing, Paige kept up her act of barely contained frustration. She had to admit, Cody was playing his part to perfection. His presence, far from being an irritation, was their ticket into the more secure areas of the building.

Feeling Bridger’s solid presence beside her, Paige allowed herself a moment of quiet confidence. The most challenging part of their mission lay ahead, but with their team working in perfect sync, she knew they could pull it off. They had to.

22

Cody pushed openthe restroom door and scanned the dated tile interior. Fenn and Kate stood by the sinks, a duffel bag at their feet. The air in the actual restroom itself was almost breathable. Kudos to Fenn and Kate for seeding the awful scent in the hallways, near the air ducts, where it would do the most good.

“Cutting it close, aren’t you?” Fenn drawled, his usual smirk in place.

Bridger brushed past Cody, already shrugging off his suit jacket. “Any issues?”

Kate shook her head, unzipping the duffel. “Coast is clear. We’ve got about ten minutes before the next security sweep.”

Paige fidgeted with her skirt, her eyes darting to the door. “Is that enough time?”

“It’ll have to be,” Bridger replied, his voice muffled as he pulled the guard’s shirt over his head.

Cody leaned against a stall, trying to project an air of nonchalance. “So, what goodies did you pack for us?”

Kate held up three mission duffels packed with active comlinks and plastic tranq guns.

Bridger, now fully dressed in the Smithsonian uniform, took his satchel, stuffing the suit inside. “Let’s hope it doesn’t cometo that. Fenn, Kate, clean this up and rendezvous back at the safe house. If we’re not back in two hours, you know what to do.”

Fenn’s expression sobered. “Be careful down there.”

As Bridger nodded, Cody’s heart raced as he followed Bridger and Paige into the rough-hewn tunnel beneath the Smithsonian Castle. The dank, musty smell assaulted his nostrils, a stark contrast to the polished marble and gleaming fixtures of the restroom they’d just left behind. His eyes struggled to adjust to the dim light, the stone walls seeming to close in around them as Fenn and Kate put the fake wall back in place.

Ahead, he could make out the bright white light of the newer section. Paige stumbled, her pencil skirt hampering her movement. Without thinking, Cody reached out to steady her.

“Need a hand?” he asked, acutely aware of the warmth of her skin beneath his palm.

Paige shot him a look that was equal parts gratitude and suspicion. “I’m fine.”

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