Page 45 of An Impossible Love
“Good. Nothing much on Max Neal that we didn’t already know. Duke, close the door, would you?”
Duke looked surprised but did as she asked. Emmy hesitated a little. “Duke… did you know Kevin McKee served in the military?”
“No, he didn’t.”
“Not what the Dean of Princeton says. He told me McKee took a tour in Iraq.”
Duke stared at her in disbelief. “What?”
Emmy nodded at her laptop. “I did a Google search, so it wouldn’t show up on our system, but yeah. There’s no public record of his service. Why?”
Duke shrugged. “I have no earthly idea.”
“Something must have happened.”
Emmy nodded. “So, I looked up Max Neal’s military career. Turns out he served in the Middle East, too.”
“Wait, wait, wait… Emmy, are you kidding me with this?”
“Duke, come on, if McKee served with Neal, that’s a link.”
Duke sighed, head in hands, thinking for a long minute. “Okay. So, we go to Lucas. Ask him why McKee’s record is sealed and if we can find out in which unit he served. It still doesn’t follow that they knew each other or that they’re still in touch.”
“Fair enough but I still think it’s worth pursuing.” Emmy debated telling Duke about her tail this morning but decided against it. She didn’t want anyone fussing.
Duke didn’t look happy, and he gazed at his friend. “You prepared for the shit storm if this all comes out?”
“I’m just doing my job, Duke.” But she did wonder what Orin would think about her investigating one of his closest advisors.
When she saw him later, unfortunately only for a few stolen moments in the Oval, she didn’t bring it up. Orin kissed her, then leaned his forehead against hers. “You’re right about our bubble bursting,” he said, but he smiled. “It’s going to be a lot harder to sneak around here. Harder but not impossible.”
Emmy, her arms around his waist, looked up at him. “Are you sure I’m worth the risk?”
“Don’t ever ask me that again, my darling. You are wortheverythingto me.”
