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Carrie pressed a hand to her heart and gasped. “What? You mean I don’t have to go undercover as a server or a stripper?”

“Why would there be strippers at a government luncheon?” Tom asked.

“Hey, I’m just saying, there were a lot of government officials in that club last night. Why not bring them to lunch too?”

Tom shook his head. “Just go be a normal reporter for once. And you’ll want to change again.”

“Aww. What’s wrong with my yoga pants? Chad thinks they make my ass look hot.”

Tom grimaced. “Jesus, Carrie. I don’t need to hear things like that. Then I have to schedule another sexual harassment seminar.”

Carrie laughed and picked up her drink. “I’m gone, boss. I’ve got just enough time to go home and grab a suit.”

“Why do you keep workout clothes here but not a suit? I’ve literally never seen you use the gym.”

“It’s the thought that counts.”

Tom waved his hand. “Get out of here.”

Carrie stopped at her desk to grab her energy drinks and the manila envelope before making her way to the nearest Metro station to head home and change. She definitely wasn’t getting her nap anytime soon.

2

“WE’RE on site at CIA Director, Corbit Upwood’s house, where officials say someone delivered a bomb at roughly seven this morning. Upwood’s wife and son were home with the director while he was preparing to leave for work.”

Peter Mercer turned the volume down on his stereo as he pulled into the parking structure for Secret Service headquarters. Part of him was sad the bomber hadn’t been successful. He cursed himself for the terrible thought. Just because he didn’t deserve to be director of the CIA or because their working relationship had gone south, didn’t mean he deserved to be blown up. Not to mention there was a high chance that the reporter was blowing the story out of proportion as was their tendency. Though after what Reggie told him last night, he felt more inclined to believe the story.

Flashing his badge at the parking lot attendant, he nodded and told the man to have a good day then pulled into the closest parking spot to the elevators. His cell phone rang as he stepped out of his SUV.

“Mercer.”

“Agent Mercer, it’s Director Higgins. Have you arrived on site yet?”

“Good morning, sir. I just stepped out of my car. What can I do for you?” Peter tucked his phone between his shoulder and ear and pressed the elevator up button.

“Come straight to my office. I want to discuss Baltimore.” Peter grinned. Hopefully, that meant he was getting the promotion he wanted.

“Yes, sir. I’ll be up in five minutes.”

“Good man. I’ll have coffee waiting for you.” The director hung up without saying goodbye. Peter looked down at the cup already in his hand and downed the last of it as the elevator doors opened. On a normal day, he limited himself to one cup of, but he would drink the director’s coffee and hopefully be celebrating a promotion.

Two minutes later, he was standing in the director’s outer office making small talk with a receptionist.

Director Ron Higgins opened his door and motioned him inside.

“Agent Mercer, thanks for coming in. Have a seat. Coffee should be hot,” he said, motioning to the cup sitting on the visitor’s side of his desk.

Peter nodded his appreciation and sat down.

“I’m just going to get straight to it. We decided to give Mark Lathen the Baltimore office.”

Peter’ heart sank. Being named Special Agent in Charge at the Baltimore field office was something he’d been working toward for months. He took a long swallow of coffee, trying to give himself a moment to process the bad news. It was a major setback to his dream of being named Secret Service Director one day, but it wasn’t the end of his career.

“I know you’re disappointed, son, but Lathen has been with us a few years longer and he’s got a baby on the way. You’ll get your shot.”

Peter nodded. “Yes, Sir. I just appreciate the opportunity to apply for the job in the first place.”

Director Higgins reached for a folder. “It’s not much of a consolation prize, but we’ve got two new protection details to put together and I want you to lead one of them. You’re an outstanding agent. You deserve to be in charge of a team. I can’t give you a field office yet, but I can let you run a detail.”

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