Page 64 of Close Pursuit

“But that wasn’t until this morning,” Covington blustered.

“That’s correct,” Alex bit out. “Come, Katie,” he murmured.

She followed Alex as he literally turned his back on Covington and walked away from the man.

“And we’re being intentionally rude to him why?” she muttered.

“Because he’s an ass, and I’ll call in whenever I damn well please.”

“Why’s he an ass?”

“He sprang the news of the massacre on us to see what our reactions would be. The bastard was checking to make sure we had no part in perpetrating it.”

“No way,” she replied, appalled. “We were aid workers delivering babies.”

“You forget. I’m the Devil’s spawn.” He added, “A little birdie told me Covington was one of the board members who voted against hiring me.”

“Then I think he’s an ass, too,” she said stoutly.

The faintest hint of a smile crossed Alex’s face.

She asked him, “Why would they send you out if they thought you might turn on the people you’re supposed to help?”

He lifted a flute of champagne off the tray of pre-poured glasses and handed one to her with a tight smile. “To set me up so I can be arrested and put away forever.”

She stared at him, aghast.

“Or maybe they just want to entrap me.”

She realized with a start that he was watching her intently as he said that. She asked carefully, “Is it possible you’re being a wee bit paranoid?”

“It’s not paranoia if someone is actually following you.”

“Alex, I saw you work your tail off delivering babies. I watched you fight like crazy to save that fourteen-year old, and we both know how hard you tried to save Dawn’s mother. You weren’t out there to kill anyone.”

“I nearly killed the guy who tracked us.”

“But you didn’t, did you?”

“No.”

“You tried to save him, in fact.”

Alex shrugged in reluctant agreement.

“There you have it. You’re not the monster you seem to think everyone sees when they look at you.”

“It’s not my imagination, Katie. Look at how people are avoiding us right now.”

“Their loss,” she retorted. “I’m hot, and you’re endlessly fascinating to talk with.”

“Just talk?” he murmured.

“You’re fascinating in other ways, too, and you know it,” she scolded lightly.

“Mmm. And don’t forget it.”

“Not bloody likely,” she groused.

---