Hidden Agenda by Christy Barritt

Author:Christy Barritt
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

THIRTEEN

Ed stared at Bailey a moment. What was she doing in his father’s room?

She twirled around, her fists raised and ready to fight.

Ed caught her before she threw her first punch. He easily overpowered her as he held her hand at bay.

“What are you doing, Bailey?” he demanded.

Her eyes widened before she finally relaxed and lowered her arm. “Ed? What are you doing sneaking up on me like that?”

He let her go, watching carefully to make sure she didn’t try to throw any more punches. “I wasn’t sneaking up on anyone. It’s not my fault if the carpet padded my steps. Besides, I’m not the one who should be answering questions. I want to know what you’re doing in my father’s room.”

He watched her face for a sign of deception. She stared at him a moment, then lines appeared on her forehead and at the corners of her eyes. Her lips pulled downward and her shoulders tensed again.

She was hiding something.

“I was...I was just having a moment. I straightened up the office some, and I was just checking on his room. It’s what I do. It’s what I’ve done since I was hired. Do you have a problem with that?”

As much as he wanted to demand the truth from her, Ed knew there were better ways to go about things. Instead, he shook his head. “You’ve been here more than I have. I appreciate the help.”

That seemed to relax her. Some of the fine lines on her face disappeared. “Good. I was hoping you’d feel that way. Old habits are hard to break, you know.”

He nodded. Still not buying it. “Mary Lou said she heard footsteps at night.”

Bailey froze again. “What?”

Ed nodded and recounted the conversation.

When he was done, Bailey pinched the skin between her eyes. “I never heard anything.”

“But you slept in the other wing of the house.”

“It just seems like there would be some kind of evidence if someone was coming and going.”

Not if they were professionals, Ed thought. This only seemed to confirm that theory. “I just wanted you to know.”

“I appreciate it.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s been a long day. I think I’m going to finish straightening the library and then turn in for the night.”

Ed nodded. “Good idea. I have a few phone calls to make anyway. I’ll see you in the morning, then.”

* * *

By the time Bailey finished in the library and reached her room, she felt both exhausted and on edge. That had been close. Too close.

And even though Ed seemed to believe her story, she didn’t feel all that confident.

With her bedroom door closed and locked, she walked to the window and pressed her forehead against the cool panes, trying to calm her racing heart. She couldn’t live like this. Being deceitful wasn’t in her nature. If anything, she was too truthful at times.

“Did you find the information yet?”

Bailey stifled a scream and twirled around at the sound of the deep, unexpected voice. She made out the silhouette of a man sitting in a chair by the window.

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