Free Lying Eyes by Toni Noel

allowed a ragged sign to escape. "I need to pull myself together. My hour is nearly up."
    "Allison..."
    "Oh, all right. The Station gossip called to share the latest office news. I rejected my boss's advances and didn't get the expected promotion. While I'm away he named the office alley-cat to take Roger's place on the Noon News."
    "Damn. No wonder you're upset."
    "D-Devastated, but I'll survive."
    She rolled off the far side of the bed and opened the mini-refrigerator. "It figures. I forgot to refill the ice cube tray. Would you mind getting some ice to put on my eyes while I untangle my hair?"
    He grabbed the ice bucket and headed next door.
    "Thanks. The ice machine is near the elevator."
    His door had no sooner closed than her door handle rattled.
    "Allison? I know you're in there. Let. Me. In," a quiet voice with a Hispanic accent demanded.
    She pressed the panic button on her radio, darted into Carlo's room, and locked both his doors.
    "Allison? Allison!"
    The sound of Carlo's worried voice in her ear steadied her.
    "I'm here. In your room," she whispered.
    "Except for Marsha the hall is empty. I'm about twenty feet away from your door. That's her knocking on it."
    By the time she unlocked his door with shaky hands the hall had filled with undercover cops, some who simply ambled by with a nod.
    Carlo's chest heaved. "What happened?"
    "Can anyone describe the guy who rattled my door handle?"
    "By the time I stepped out of hiding he was running away, his head lowered," Officer Hanson said. "What about you, Demetri?"
    "Same here. He careened around the corner without warning, knocked the ice bucket out of my hands, and casually boarded the same elevator these two security officers exited. By the way, thanks, guys, for your quick response."
    "Still not quick enough," Stonewall said dejectedly.
    "So what have we learned? Anything?" Carlo asked.
    "Your perp is getting desperate," Stonewall said.
    "And he is Hispanic," Allison added.
    "He spoke to you?" Stonewall asked.
    "Yes. He said 'Allison, I know you're in there', and demanded I open the door."
    "He knew I'd left you alone," Carlo said grimly. "That means he has been watching every move we make."
    "Easy, Detective. Isn't this what you were hoping?" Stonewall asked.
    "That he'd be brazen enough to approach Allison in the middle of the day?"
    "No, that he'd come out of hiding where we have a better chance to arrest him."
    Everyone huddled around her agreed, except Carlo.
    Sounding frustrated, Carlo said, "Let's meet back here at five and see if anyone has thought of a better plan."
    "In the meantime, I think we can all relax and simply enjoy Miss Marble's presentation. Your man doesn't have a chance in hell of grabbing her while she's speaking before a packed room," Stonewall said.
    "Still, don't let down your guard," Carlo warned. "Allison, I'm going to get more ice. Susan and Marsha, go inside as soon as I open Allison's door and keep her company until I get back."
    He disappeared inside his room.
    "I don't think I've ever seen a big man move so fast," Stonewall murmured, shaking his head. "I'm sure glad the detective is on our side."
    The crowd dispersed.
    As soon as Carlo returned with the ice Susan and Marsha departed.
    He slammed the ice bucket on the bathroom counter and gently lifted Allison's chin. "Let me see your eyes."
    She tried her best to smile at him.
    "Most of the redness is gone."
    "Good. I don't have much time to—"
    "First things first." Carlos stepped in close, encircled her in his strong arms, and gave her a punishing kiss.
    His hard lips demanded everything from her she'd been longing to give him and she gave as good as she got, making her blood run hot.
    Quickly releasing her, Carlo stepped back. "Sorry. Poor timing, Demetri," he murmured, moving farther away.
    "Did I say so?"
    "You don't need to. You're pressed for time. Fix your face. I shouldn't have risked upsetting you again."
    Jamming his hands in his pockets, he paced away from her and turned