Page 23 of Hidden Chance

Titus checked his watch. “We should get started. They’ll want you upstairs shortly.”

“I’m ready when you are.”

“Great. Follow me. I have a couple of forms I need you to fill out, and then I’ll take your picture for your ID, which I will have ready for you on your way out this afternoon. All you have to do is see whatever guard is on the desk, and he’ll have it ready for you.”

“Sounds good. Hey, uh, can you give me an idea of who I’ll be working with upstairs?”

“Once I’ve had my fun with you, I’ll pass you on to Wilma. She’s in charge of all the temps in the office.”

“Anything I need to know about her?”

“She’s a sweet lady, but don’t cross her. Also, she likes Licorice Allsorts. If you do get on her bad side, you know what to do.”

“Thanks for the tip.”

Hannah’s head was pounding. Again. She didn’t usually suffer from so many headaches, but this week, they’d persisted, and she knew why. Lack of sleep from her stress and too much coffee coupled with not enough water. It was her own fault. She should be looking after herself better.

She stretched her neck as she dug into her purse forsome painkillers, washing them down with the rest of her coffee before looking into her empty cup.

“One more cup and then I promise I’ll drink water.” She pushed back her chair, blinking away fatigue as she walked the familiar path through the bullpen toward the coffee machine in the kitchen.

Zigzagging through the last row, she stopped when she heard her name.

“Hannah.” Pike was standing in his office door.

“Yeah?”

“Got a sec?”

She swiveled and headed his way after a deep sigh.

He waited at his door until she reached him. “Am I interrupting something?”

“No, sorry. It’s not you. I had a rough night last night. And the night before.”

“Any particular reason?”

“Nope. Just my mind going in a million directions, as it does sometimes.”

He put his hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle massage as he steered her into his office.

“You should have told me you were stressed. I could have taken you out. You still owe me that dinner, and you need a break.”

She sat in the chair to get out of his grasp. “I’m fine. It’s nothing I can’t handle. So, what is it I can do for you today?”

“I was going to tell you to have a seat, but you’ve beat me to it.”

“Sounds ominous.”

“Not ominous, but it is important. At least I know it will be to you.”

“I’m all ears.”

“I thought you might like to know, I heard this morning that the board has approved another fundraiser for Burma.”

“But?”

He raised his eyebrows. “But nothing. I thought you’d be excited.”

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