Page 39 of Special Agent Isabella

Confused, Bella approached. “See what?”

He played Leslie’s version of the morning’s debacle and Bella scoffed more than once before it ended. Then she started for the door. “I’m gonna shoot the silly bitch. If this gets out, it’ll make the governor look even worse for having an employee like me around.”

He stopped her. “Wait up. Explain what really happened.”

Bella turned. “You believe that crap?”

He scoffed; disgust clearly evident. “Of course not.”

Reassured, she approached and gave him the true details of the morning’s incident.

“Figured it had to be something like that. Look, we can’t let her know that we’ve got this tape, or she’ll see we’re inside her phone. Let me deal with it.”

“Right. How do you intend to do that?”

“I’ll go into my Romeo routine and see if she’ll fall for it. Once I get her alone, maybe I can get a hold of her phone and delete it.”

Shoving her hands to her hips, her stance combative, she demanded, “What makes you think your power over women is so strong?” Without thinking things through, Bella had fallen back to her old ways of sarcasm. She must have felt the silence because he saw her scan his raised eyebrow and questioning grin.

Flushing, she clenched her fists. Swinging away from his scrutiny, he followed her and continued, “Do you have a better plan?”

“Yeah, how about we just steal her phone and hide it? If she doesn’t have the blasted thing, she can’t sell the story.”

“How do you figure we do that?”

“I don’t know. You’re so smart, you tell me.”

Before they could continue arguing, the door opened, and Leslie sauntered into the room.

Tanner smiled at her, the warmth of his eyes making her stop dead and even glance behind her.

“Am I interrupting?” She waited before approaching.

“Not at all.” Tanner waved his hands for her to come in. “I was just wondering if you’ve had a chance to see any of the sights around Phoenix? It would be a shame for you to spend time here and not look around. I know a great place where they prepare typical Mexican food, and it’s lunchtime. That’s if you’re free?”

Shock dimmed as pleasure appeared. “Why I’d love that. I do enjoy fajitas. When did you want to leave?” She glanced at Bella who’d made a scoffing sound before heading for the door. “Were you not joining us, Bella?”

“Rather be dead, thanks. Have fun… kids.”

* * *

Bella stomped from the room, playing her role till she closed the door behind her. That’s when the green-eyed bastard hit her hard. Blasted Romeo… his magnetismwashuge. She’d watched the act and decided it had been like feeding worms to a scrawny newborn bird, it’s gaping beak begging.

Having the image ingrained in her head made her feel better.Hope she pecks the son of a bitch good.

Yeah… but not until after he gets her phone.

ChapterThirty-Two

Stacy and Bruce toiled all through lunch, having sandwiches and drinks brought to them in the conference room. She couldn’t believe that the earlier governor had let so much of the routine falter under his braggartly control.

She’d have been ashamed to let anyone see such incompetence but then she guessed he had a lot more on his mind at the time. Fighting his indictment and eventual arrest would be a long battle, one she had no doubt he’d lose. Having an insight into the laws the idiot broke, she was certain their justice system would get their man.

Standing, she arched her back. Bruce stood too, complaining, “I feel like my butt’s merged into the leather on my chair.”

“I know what you mean. My back is stiffer’n a board. And my bladder is screaming for relief. I’m off to the little girl’s room. Can you get us some fresh fruit and drinks for our next round?”

Bruce laughed; his bearded face filled with delight at having a break to look forward to. “Sure. I’ll call the cafeteria and have them send up some food.”

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