Free Imposter by Karen Fenech Page B

pictures - a photograph of a bird about to take flight - had been askew when they’d arrived here yesterday.  It wasn’t now.   There was no housekeeping service with the rental of the cottage, so no one had been in to clean and righted the picture.    
Burke took his cell phone from his pocket and pressed a button with his thumb.  As he raised the phone to his ear, he left the cottage to stand outside.   Whether he didn’t want her to overhear his conversation or was just seeking some fresh air, Eve didn’t know.  Whatever, she would not be left out.   She was in the unfortunate position of having her future tied with his and for the moment, she would allow him no secrets, if she could help it. She followed him outside. 
“. . . yeah, Lanski,” Burke said.
He didn’t glance at her as she approached him, just went on speaking.  Eve felt a little relief that he hadn’t been attempting to exclude her from this conversation.
“She’s fine.” 
Burke’s gaze cut to her briefly and Eve figured he’d brought Lanski up to speed on her night at the hospital.  He went on to inform Lanski about the search of the cottage.
  “Whoever it was had to be looking for the formula,” Burke said.
Eve’s heart pounded. “Did he get it?” 
Burke’s gaze met hers.  He shook his head.
Eve closed her eyes briefly, relieved that the deadly weapon was not at large.
“No,” Burke said. “I’m going to bring her in today as planned.  See you in Washington.”
Eve’s stomach fluttered.  “That’s it? Even after someone searched the cottage your part in finding the accomplice is over?”
Burke closed the lid of the cell phone.  “That’s it.  The search yielded nothing since I have the formula and, as I already told you, we already have the accomplice.”
“You’re wrong.”
Burke said nothing to her denial. “Get ready to travel, Doctor.  We have a plane to catch.”
Eve left Burke outside and went to her room.  Sunlight slanted across the unmade bed through a separation in the lavender curtains.  Her purse and its contents, lipstick, compact, and wallet were strewn on the bunched bedspread.  Her cell phone lay open on the thick area rug beside the bed.  She picked up all of the items and replaced them in her purse.
Dr. Malhi had returned the pen injectors from yesterday.  She wasn’t due for another shot for a while and stuck both injectors in her purse.
Before she left, she wanted a shower.  She suspected that once she arrived in Washington, she’d be whisked away to answer questions and a shower for her wouldn’t be a priority for the government interrogators.   
There was no point bringing her suitcase in from the car.   The tan slacks and cream silk blouse she now wore would do for the trip.  She scooped her dryer from the top of the dresser where she’d left it after having used it yesterday and went into the bathroom.   
She undressed, placed the items on the solid gray counter, then reached into the shower stall and twisted the faucets.  After a moment, she stepped beneath the hot spray.
She scrubbed, more vigorously than was needed, her movements fueled by frustration and fear at the situation she found herself in.   
Finished with the shower, Eve gave the taps a sharp turn, shutting off the water, then emerged from the tub.  She wrapped a towel around her hair, turban style, then another around her body, knotting it under her arm. She plugged in the hair dryer then sighed. She’d forgotten a comb.
The towel covered her from underarms to mid thigh.  She didn’t think Burke would go into shock if he glimpsed her in nothing more than the towel on the way to her bedroom.  Besides, he might still be outside.
She left the bathroom.  She was in the hall when something in that room exploded.
Eve screamed as the impact knocked her off her feet.   Debris blew out of the room. She covered her head with her arms, but she was far enough that nothing struck her.  She glanced