Page 55 of Hidden Chance

After staring at her computer screen for ten minutes, absorbed by all the reasons Robby was being unreasonable, she decided she was a grown woman who could do what she wanted. Robby wasn’t her boss, and she could go into Pike’s office for a research query if anyone asked. If looking through his files would either exonerate him or implicate him, she needed that for her own peace of mind.

After an hour of checking the time every ten minutes, she forced herself to wait another five minutes before finishing her coffee. Pike was always punctual and would be out of the building by now. On her way back to the kitchen, she’d slip into his office and be in and out in a few short minutes.

Her heart pounded, but she kept a serene look on her face as she walked across the room. She glanced across the cubicles to Robby’s desk and could see the top of his head. She kept an eye on him until she reached Pike’s door where she turned in, then halted, but before she could retreat, Pike looked up after closing his briefcase.

“Hey,” he said.

“Uh.” She looked at her watch. “That’s right, you have a meeting. I forgot.”

He smiled. “You sure? Or were you afraid you’d miss me?”

“No, I—uh. Aren’t you going to be late?”

“The meeting got pushed back. I’m leaving now. What is it I can do for you?”

Her mind went blank, so she grasped at the first thing she could think of. “I felt bad that I’ve put you off about dinner, so I thought I’d see if you want a coffee. But you’re leaving.”

“You’re having another already? You really must be tired. However,” He pulled his briefcase off his desk and walked up to her. “I’ll take a raincheck on that one too. Now you owe me coffee and dinner. It’s adding up quickly.” She shifted sideways to get out of his way so he could walk about the door, but he moved with her. “I was thinking. I wouldn’t mind going over those reports with you once I’m back in the office.”

“Why do you need me to go over the report? It’s standard.”

“Not the one you just sent me, the ones you shared with the committee about Burma. And I want to know it all. All the information you’ve got. I’d like to go over it with you.”

“Oh, you mean the ones that gave me a great deal of embarrassment?” It made her sick to think that someone in that office, possibly in that meeting, was actively working against all the good she was hoping for.

“It’s good work you’re doing. Maybe we can come up with a way to help massage things along. I’d like to help if I can.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Why?”

He laughed a cynical huff. “I don’t know. Maybe being around you is rubbing off on me. I like how passionate you are about helping those kids. I’m not passionate about much, and I don’t like that about myself.”

Maybe she’d been wrong to judge him so harshly. “Well, thank you. You certainly have more sway in the group. I’ll get the information to you as soon as I can.”

“Great.” He brushed closer to her than necessary as he went past.

If they could confirm Pike wasn’t in on it, maybe they could bring Pike in. He knew more about the inner workings of the company than she did, and it would mean she could keep Robby between them. Pike was getting too bold in his advances.

After Pike disappeared around the corner, her gaze moved sideways to Robby’s desk. He was watching her and gave her an almost imperceptible shake of the head. She gave him back a soft shrug and then turned in to Pike’s office, nudging the door almost all the way closed.

Robby’s teeth ground together as he fought for calm. He couldn’t have made himself any more clear if he’d tried. Hannah had deliberately gone against his orders and put herself into a compromising situation. That’s what he got for trusting a civilian. It’s why working with an experienced team was ideal and why he was hesitant totell her much about the mission. With his team, everyone knew his part. And as team leader, they followed his orders without question.

He waited a beat, then stood and walked toward Pike’s office but veered off at the last second. As frustrated as he was, he had to admit she was right to a point. She was part of Pike’s team. No one in the office would take any notice of her in there, but they would notice him. He’d have to ride it out, but he’d make sure she understood she’d let him down.

Detouring toward the bathroom, he made a quick pit stop before returning to his desk via her office, hoping she’d returned, but it was empty, and Pike’s door was still in the same position as before.

But before reaching his desk, he saw Pike at the end of the hall. Heading back into the office.

Robby ducked into his cubicle and grabbed a pair of scissors, then changed his mind. He couldn’t use force and shouldn’t need to. Pike wouldn’t attack here, even if he was involved. Instead, he dropped the scissors back on his desk and hurried to Pike’s office, putting together a plan as he went. She wasn’t going to like it.

Hannah looked up when he entered. “What are you doing in here?”

He hurried toward her. “Trust me.”

“I—”

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