Page 6 of Shadow of Fear

He glanced at it then looked again, his face getting ruddy in his anger. “Well hell.” He looked up at her. “Apparently, we’re having an affair.”

Gavin was still laughingwhen the Senator’s embarrassment and anger had receded. As for Rachel, she looked ready to punch him but he couldn’t help it. “It’s brilliant.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Both the Senator and Rachel spoke at once and at volume. He swallowed and took a deep breath, willing himself not to laugh anymore. “It really isn’t so outrageous, you know. Senator, you’re still in your prime—”

“She’s my daughter’s age! Or close to it.”

“But everybody knows politicians attract women,” Gavin persisted.

“They do?” Rachel said then looked nervously at the Senator. He waved her off, handing her phone back to her, making sure not to touch her, Gavin noted.

“There are women drawn to power, just like there are those drawn to stardom or money. It happens all the time.” Gavin wondered at her naivete, especially seeing as she’d been in the military. Being involved in the Army or other branches of service scoured innocence off as quickly as a ten-mile run roughened shiny boots.

“Not to me,” she said and he nodded then looked at the Senator. “We could use that, though.”

“How? For what purpose? And for God’s sake, why?” He grated out. “She’s a good security officer. No need to make it any more complicated than that.”

Rachel nodded. “Besides, I’m with him as much as any other person would be. And before you mention anything about the bedroom or bathroom, that’s not included in my job description. And way above my pay scale.”

Gavin chuckled even as he acknowledged he'd rather see her leave the job than go into the Senator's bedroom every night. Even if both of them were saints, things happen under stress.

“Not going to happen,” the senator repeated and leaned back in his chair. “Though I suppose it’s a compliment that Tattle thinks I’m attractive enough to get a young thing like you.”

Rachel stood and started toward the door. "I'm going to the bathroom. By the time I get back, I hope youboyswill be ready to have a serious conversation.” She shut the door behind her with a snick and Gavin grinned at the Senator. “Well, that was a diversion.”

The Senator smiled slightly. “She’s a handful. Reminds me of Sierra.”

"She is at that," Gavin said and couldn't stop the thought that he'd like to learn how to handle that particular handful.

They spent the day, between the Senator’s meetings and other obligations, figuring out how to insert the other bodyguards Hank was sending into the staff without undue attention being drawn. Rachel’s suggestion of integrating them into the investigation held merit but it’d only increase the tension, Gavin said. When she shot back that he hadn’t given an alternative, he realized it was way past time to break. The Senator must have realized this as well, as he stood and stretched. “Let’s call it a night. Time to go home.”

Rankin was outside in the SUV, the window rolled down and the car blasting music. Gavin shook his head. For a security expert, this guy was the pits. He strode toward the car in front of Rachel and the Senator, intent on calling the guy out. When he approached the car, however, he noticed the angle of Rankin’s head as it lay against the headrest.

"Rachel, take the Senator back inside." He said quietly and pulled the concealed weapon from his back waistband.

“Gavin?” Her reply was equally quiet as she took hold of the Senator’s upper arm and drew him to a halt. Even as she spoke, she was working at wordlessly convincing the stubborn man to turn and go into the building.

“Rankin’s dead.”

Rachel stoodat the small window overlooking the parking in the Senator’s office. He’d excused himself for a few minutes to splash water on his face. The office building was silent at this hour, though there were people there. Some of the staff personnel worked into the early hours of the morning finishing up papers or preparing the next day’s work for their boss. But, at this hour, friendly banter turned to weary sighs and murmurs of goodnight.

She watched as Gavin spoke to the police, while Rankin’s body was examined in situ then wheeled off in an ambulance to the morgue. Another investigation. Would this one result in another dead end? She pulled her phone from her pocket and dialed Kane Reynolds.

The head of Shadow Ops, the organization she worked for answered on the first ring. “Payne?”

“Yes sir,” she heard the fatigue in her own voice but she needed to give her report and take the consequences. She glanced around her, though she was secure in the Senator’s office. “I just wanted to let you know what’s happened over the past couple of days.”

His silence was a judgment. She continued, explaining first about the shooting in the parking lot, then the news Hank had conveyed about the drug cartel's plans, and then about Rankin. Finally, she stopped, thought about it, and then added, "And there was a gossip site that said the Senator and I are having an affair."

“That all? You’ve been busy, Payne. No wonder you sound exhausted.” Kane said easily and Rachel let out her breath. Maybe she wouldn’t get fired, after all. “I just wanted to let you know what’s been going on, in case you wanted to replace me.”

“You want to be taken off the assignment?” He asked and she reassured him she was if not happy with the assignment, determined to see it out.

“Is Gray Mitchell alive and well?”

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