Free Silent Weapon by Debra Webb Page B

was the break I’d been looking for. The opportunity to do more. But other confusing thoughts kept muddying my ability to grasp the concept. “How long would this assignment last?” That was a legitimate question. I congratulated myself for being able to at least come off as reasonable.
    There’s no way to answer that question, Adcock admitted. You could be there days, possibly weeks.
    I frowned. “What about my family? What do I tell them?” Now, there was a problem that wouldn’t be that easily resolved. My folks are intensely overprotective. I couldn’t just drop off the family radar with no explanation, and accepting this kind of assignment would not be acceptable.
    Miss Walters, Chief Kent said, if you accept this assignment no one can know. Your cover has to be protected at all costs. Your family and friends will need to believe you’re away for job-related training.
    That could work. Lying to my family wasn’t something I felt comfortable with, but this wasn’t exactly lying, I told myself. Excitement began to inch up my spine. This was it. My opportunity to prove I could do more, make a difference. If I made this happen, how could Metro not consider me for a real investigative position? Considering how desperate the chiefs were, I felt certain I could finagle whatever training I needed for an investigative-profiler-type career move.
    I now fully comprehended the test. The chiefs had wanted to ascertain how much of the various comments made during the meeting I could gather and recall. Clearly I had made an impression.
    The whole setup sounded simple enough. “When do I start?” I looked from one chief to the other. Their attention shifted to Barlow. I snapped my gaze in his direction. Jesus, I’d almost forgotten about him in all the excitement. A smile quirked my lips. I couldn’t believe it! My plan had worked, gotten the right attention. I, Merrilee Walters, was going to be an undercover investigator on a very important case.
    Just so you understand, Miss Walters, Barlow said, his face impassive as usual, there is no way for us to protect you once you’re inside.
    Both Chief Adcock and Chief Kent looked uncomfortable with Barlow’s statement.
    I considered his comment a moment. “I’ll be on my own,” I suggested, looking directly at him.
    That’s right. You and I will set up a code to indicate you need help, but there’s no way to guarantee you’ll be able to get to a phone to call me if you need me. Once you’re inside you’ll be completely on your own.
    A shiver rattled my excitement. “Will I be expected to carry a weapon?” I had never fired a gun in my life. I had taken the requisite self-defense class for females wanting to protect themselves from attack back in college, but nothing more.
    Barlow shook his head in answer to my question. You’ll be a maid. Maids don’t carry deadly weapons. Going in you’ll likely be considered suspect by everyone already on staff. Your acceptance will take time. Getting close enough to watch Hammond or his associates will require your total acceptance. The only way you’re going to do any good is if Hammond lets down his guard in your presence. The only way you’ll get out of there alive is if you don’t blow your cover.
    Miss Walters… Kent flared his hands to draw my attention back to him. We’ll protect you as best we can any undercover operative. There are, of course, no guarantees. This assignment comes with undeniable hazards.
    Unless you blow your cover, Adcock spoke up, there will be no reason for Hammond or his men to harm you. You’ll be completely safe as long as you stay within the boundaries of what is expected of your position.
    We have a very small window of opportunity here, Kent urged. Detective Barlow will provide the background information you need and the necessary training before you go in, but our time is sorely limited. You’ve given us hope, Miss Walters. Hope that we can finally hold Hammond accountable for his