Part 16 (1/2)
”We are vacating the base,” Gadara said.
”What if that was the goal of the attack?”
”Why?”
”I don't know, but it's a possibility.”
”A far-reaching one,” Reed interjected. ”And regardless, it's too dangerous for you to be here.”
Gadara continued to watch her intensely. ”I have already ordered an investigative team up here. They are far more qualified and are therefore at less risk.”
Eve knew she couldn't argue with that. She also knew that doing nothing at all wasn't an option. ”Will you let us partic.i.p.ate in the investigation from the safety of the tower? Studying evidence or whatever else can be done?”
A hint of a smile touched the archangel's mouth, but she was too upset about Molenaar to chafe over playing into Gadara's hands. So what if she was determined to partic.i.p.ate? That didn't mean she was married to the idea of being a Mark.
”I am certain something can be arranged,” Gadara said magnanimously.
Reed gestured for Eve to head toward the stairs. ”I'll take the cla.s.s back to the house.”
Gadara nodded. ”You can record your report and transfer it to my desk.”
”I'll be sticking around awhile.”
”That will not be necessary.”
”You haven't heard my report.”
Eve frowned. ”You're worried about something else?”
He caught her elbow as she came closer and started to escort her off the roof. ”I'll tell you later.”
There was no way to avoid inhaling the unique scent of his skin. It was musky, exotic, seductive. It flowed through her senses, creating tingles where she didn't need them and aches where she didn't want them. The heat of his touch burned through her s.h.i.+rt to her flesh. Sweat dotted her upper lip. Her body remembered the feel of his. Craved to feel it again.
Reed glanced at her. She kept her own line of vision firmly on the ground. He opened the rooftop door and she was about to step inside when something long, gray, and quick darted past her booted foot. Eve yelped. The rat stilled halfway down the stairs. It turned its head, staring at her with teeny beaded eyes. Are you screaming 'cuz of me? it asked.
A mental shudder rolled through her. The sight of the rodent's long, ribbed tail was revolting. She swallowed back her disgust and asked, ”Did you see anything when you were up there?”
Rearing up on its rear legs, the rat made a noise suspiciously like a laugh. I scared ya. Gotta love newbies. She aimed her gun. Reed chuckled and lounged into the stairwell railing. Take it easy, doll, the rat said hastily. Where's your sense of humor?
”What's your name?”
A loud screeching was his reply.
Eve cut him off with a wave of her hand. ”Okay, let's call you Templeton.”
What kind of name is that?
”A rat's name.”
”Charlotte's Web,” Reed murmured.
Startled that he would know such trivia, Eve looked at him with a widening smile. ”I'm impressed.”
Who is Charlotte? Templeton barked.
”Never mind,” Eve dismissed. ”Did you see anything on the roof?”
Nope. Nada.
”You're lying.”
Prove it.
”Come on,” she cajoled, firmly squelching the voice in her mind that shouted, You're talking to a rat ! ”You had to see something.”
It's not true.
”What's not true?” She glanced at Reed, who shrugged and grinned boyishly, the combination briefly distracting her. She cursed her raging libido, which seemed to be fueled by her low-grade fever. What they say about rats. Templeton's whiskers twitched in a manner that seemed . . . affronted. It's pigs who squeal, the miserable b.a.s.t.a.r.ds. They'll do anything for food.
”I like pigs. They're useful. They make bacon and ham. What have you got to offer?”
Entertainment?
She waved the gun carelessly. ”I have to be honest, it's not looking so good for you right now, Templeton. You're giving me the w.i.l.l.i.e.s, not information.”
You'd shoot an innocent rat? Man, that's low.
”Gimme something, then.”
Did you see the lip around the roof? It's at least three feet high. I couldn't see s.h.i.+t. Eve considered that. ”What did you hear?”
Struggling. Gurgling. Hammering.
She swallowed hard. ”That's not helpful.”
Templeton dropped back down on all fours. Told ya. Can I go now?
Her gaze shot to Reed. He raised both brows and straightened. The air around him stirred, causing his scent to waft to her. She changed her line of questioning. ”Did you smell anything?”
Nope. Nada.
”I don't believe you.”
Templeton looked at Reed. Tough crowd, Abel. You sure she's worth the effort?
Reed looked at Eve, his dark eyes soft. ”She's worth it.”
Eve forcibly ignored the physical response she had to his tone and words. ”You're a rat, Templeton-”