Free CLOSE TO YOU: Enhanced (Lost Hearts) by Christina Dodd Page A

business, grandstanding was ruthlessly mocked, and his people didn't stand in awe of him. He didn't usually want them to . . . although this outburst proved a little deference might be a good thing.
                  When the hubbub died down, Teague told Kate, "These so-called security experts rotate on and off duty. I'll introduce you to the people walking the corridors, too. If I'm not around and you suspect trouble while you're here, let any one of them know and they'll take care of you. Everybody is connected." He showed her the half-dozen earbuds and microphones hanging on hooks by the door. "Before anybody goes out, they hook up."
                  "Is it a walkie-talkie or a cell phone?"
                  "Walkie-talkie. We can cover a range of about two miles around the capitol. More than that, we turn to a cell phone." To his people, he said, "While Kate's busy filming me—and any of my people who manage to sound interesting—we're going to catch her stalker."
                  "Ooh, a television interview," Chun said.
                  "Ugh, a stalker," Big Bob said.
                  Trust Big Bob to get to the heart of the matter.
                  Teague stood off to the side and watched his people cluster around Kate. Three men, one woman, all trying to get interviewed . . . or just trying to get her attention.               "See, what we have here is the heart of the security system." Chun gestured at the computers and cameras. Chun did very well with women, and now he focused on Kate.
                  She seemed not to notice his interest. "So, Mr. Chun, you're saying that from this room, you can survey the whole capitol complex?"
                  "Pretty much," Chun said.
                  "Nope." Big Bob's slow West Texas drawl overrode Chun's assertive West Coast voice. "This gives the overview, but each wing has its own special cameras and its own special viewing room."
                  Kate's attention shifted to Big Bob, who was sitting in front of the monitors, his gaze moving from one to the other. "Is someone always working each room?"
                  "No . . ." Big Bob glanced at her, saw how intently she watched him, and his cheeks, already naturally rosy, flushed a dull red.
                  Teague wanted to laugh, except that Kate smiled reassuringly at Big Bob. "Does someone check the rooms periodically?"
                  "Every fifteen minutes." The color in Big Bob's cheeks brightened.
                  She kindly pressed his shoulder.
                  Teague watched as she put his man at ease. She showed amazing poise as she drew out Big Bob about the positions of the cameras. She extracted details about the surveillance rooms.
                  While she took notes, Big Bob sidled up beside him. "Boss, Juanita called in sick."               "Did she?" Teague felt the familiar worry start grinding within him. "Did she say why?"
                  "She said it's just one of those difficult days. She has 'em, you know. Guess she's entitled."
                  "Yeah." Teague dialed Juanita's number, and when she didn't answer, he frowned. He left the message, "Call! You know me. I worry." And he did. Hell, he didn't know how to stop worrying about Juanita.
                  But right now he had to concentrate on the task of guarding Kate. He would care for her. He couldn't live with himself if someone under his protection was hurt . . . again.
                  Teague stepped forward. "I'll take Kate for a personal tour. You can keep an eye on her through the monitors. That will be your duty when she's here. Remember that."
                  "It'll be a pleasure to observe Miss Montgomery," Chun declared with far too much