Free Fourth of July by Cami Checketts Page B

question, Alexis could only guess what the answer would be. Remembering the sympathy the women showed on her return only added to her distrust. His silence incriminated him.
    “You claim to be an upstanding person and a Christian as well,” Alexis said. “I guess tonight I’ve seen a glimpse of your true character.”
    The interior of the vehicle rang with Alexis’s final statement. Robert seemed to be grappling for some kind of rebuttal, but really, what could he say?
    After several agonizing minutes they arrived at Alexis’ apartment complex. She leaped from the car as soon as the tires stopped rotating and ran for her apartment building. Running in heels proved difficult, but her pace never slowed.
    She banged through the exterior door and sprinted the three flights of stairs to her apartment, listening for footsteps behind her. The key wouldn’t cooperate as she worked it into the lock with fumbling fingers. Finally, the door opened. She slid inside and slammed it behind her. Quickly turning the deadbolt, she fell onto her plush couch. After several deep breaths, she was convinced Robert hadn’t followed her.
    “Probably afraid to park his car in my ‘poor’ neighborhood.”
    She was soaking in her tub before she calmed from her argument with Robert. Her thoughts swung to Chris. She closed her eyes and allowed herself the indulgence of reminiscing. His warm breath on her face, his strong arms around her, the amazing sensation of just being close to him, his mouth brushing hers, the intriguing smell of his cologne. Oh my, but he smelled good.
    “Stop it,” Alexis said aloud. “Nothing will come of it. It was just a silly, impassioned moment.”
    Alexis readied herself for bed. She spent a long time on her knees. Her prayer was filled with pleas for so many people—the bombing victims and their families, the rescue workers, the doctors and nurses, Jerome and his father, and her own family. She was especially worried about her parents and her sister Brittany. Prayer was the only thing she could do to help them.
    She slept fitfully. Her dreams filled with images of Chris.

DANIELLE ASKED CHRIS TO TAKE HER home immediately after the party. She let him think it was because of his interlude on the veranda. She was upset, but the truth was she had an appointment. She could not be late. Her superiors would not be happy with her. Nothing to report. Chris never relayed any significant information and all of her contacts from work were dry as well.
    Heels clicking rhythmically on the concrete, she hurried to the scheduled meeting place. Tempting fragrances from an Italian restaurant wafted past her. Just once she’d like to eat a breadstick and food oozing with cheese without worrying about compromising her size two.
    She pushed food from her mind. What if the events of the evening were any indication of Chris’s feelings for that little woman with the red mop of hair? The redhead wasn’t as thin or as beautiful as Danielle, but what if Chris wanted her? Her jaw clenched. She gripped her purse tighter. She would be the one to choose when she was finished with him.
    “What do you have?” Yusuf’s gruff voice startled her.
    The monster was too close for comfort. Danielle stepped a few feet away, hoping she wouldn’t offend him. She bowed her head, pulling her wrap over her hair.
    “ Marhaba ,” she greeted him meekly. “The agency does not have any leads. They are working nonstop but they haven’t been able to trace any of the bombs.”
    The information was only hearsay, no amount of prying ever succeeded in opening Chris’s mouth.
    “Good,” Yusuf said. “Ahmed will be pleased.”
    Danielle shivered at the mention of their boss. Yusuf intimidated her but he didn’t have the power Ahmed did.
    “Keep us informed of anything you hear.” Yusuf jerked his chin up at her. “You’ve done well. We are always one step ahead of these American pigs. It won’t be long now. Ten days and the weapons will be in