Page 60 of Hidden Chance

“Then you saw?”

“The kiss? Yeah. I feel like I’m responsible. I gave him a reason to take more of an interest.”

“No. I mean, he’s never done that before, but it was only a matter of time, I guess.” She stepped inside and flicked on the lights. “Should it make me uncomfortable that you know where I live?”

“It’s standard procedure to gather as much information on a suspect as possible.”

“Have you ever been here before?”

“Just once. I drove by. I wouldn’t even be here now if it wasn’t for that incident today.”

“I saw an opportunity, and I took it.”

“You disobeyed my orders.”

She wrenched the groceries from his arms. “I am under no obligation to do anything you command.”

“This isn’t about obligation. I give orders because they’re necessary to complete the mission, but now it’s been compromised, and I’ve had to pull the plug. I can’t work there anymore.”

“If I don’t make a complaint, it shouldn’t matter.”

“You don’t think Pike will step in?”

“I can distract him.”

“I can’t believe you’d suggest that. That’s the last thing I want you to do.”

“You can’t throw away all our hard work just because I didn’t do what you told me to.”

“Allourhard work? You put yourself at unnecessary risk. For what? What would you have done if I didn’t come in? It was stupid, and you know it.”

Her mouth dropped open. She hadn’t expected him to be so angry. “I’m sorry, okay? But I did have a plan. I’d already worked out what to do in case things didn’t go the way I expected. You’re the one that butted in. I could have handled it, and you could have kept your job.” She almost stomped her foot but instead took her aggression out on the groceries she pulled out of the bag.

He closed in on her. “What did you expect me to do? You knew I saw you go in there. You should have known that I wouldn’t leave you there if things went sideways.”

“You could have trusted me.”

“I barely know you. How can I trust you?”

“I’ve known you just as long. How can I trustyou?”

He threw his hands in the air. “This was a bad idea. All of it.”

“Oh yeah? You haven’t even asked me the most important question.”

“Your safety is what’s most important.”

“Is it?”

“What else is there?”

“The mission.”

“What are you saying?”

“You never asked me if I found anything.”

“Did you?”

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