Free In Bed with the Bodyguard by Lynne Silver Page B

prevarication. No need for them to know they’d only met last night.
    The taller agent pulled out a small notepad from his suit pocket. “Oh, yes. A Mrs. Valerie Moore, married to Jason Moore of McLean.”
    He wondered if Jason knew he was now on an FBI list. In a case with the scope of Stanley Rose’s, they would leave no stone unturned. “Well, if you’re following her, then you know about the break-in. I’m staying close to her to protect her.”
    The two agents glanced at each other, obviously confused. “Break-in?”
    “Is it related to the case?” the other agent asked.
    Lance nodded. “A brick was thrown through the front window of her art gallery and a painting was defaced with a personal threat to her.”
    “That explains the boarded-up window. We thought she was protecting her privacy, but we didn’t restart the surveillance on her until today.”
    “Well, I guess I can go back home, then. If you’re watching her, she won’t need my protection.” Lance ignored the increased pressure in his chest at the thought of leaving Ari when they had just met.
    The agents looked at each other again, having a silent conversation, before they turned back to him. “Actually, if you could stay with her, it could be helpful.”
    “How do you mean?” he asked.
    “She obviously trusts you. Butter her up, and maybe she’ll share something about her father’s whereabouts.”
    He eyed the two of them for a long minute. “I told you, she knows nothing about her father. Besides, you know I’m on medical leave, right? I can’t go start playing ball for another team.”
    “You wouldn’t be. Haven’t you been reading the memos? It’s all about interdepartmental cooperation these days. We’ll have our supervisory special agent get in touch with your boss to give you the go-ahead.”
    Lance was reasonably sure his boss would do no such thing. He shrugged. “I’m not officially agreeing to anything until I speak to my superiors, but for now I’ll stick with Arianna.” Inwardly, he rejoiced, and his lower abdominal muscles clenched at thought of officially sanctioned time with her. “See you.”
    He got back in the car and turned to Ari. “You’re not going to be happy.”
    “Oh?” She raised her eyebrows. “Why is the FBI following me?”
    “They think you know where your dad is and may give them a clue.” He reached out his hand but pulled back when she turned away and rested her forehead against the steering wheel. He let her sit like that for a few minutes. He didn’t mention his new role in the situation.
    Despite what she’d told him last night, and what he’d told the FBI, he had no real reason to believe her and lots of reasons to doubt her. She could be lying through her teeth about her father. For all he knew, Stanley Rose could be hiding in the Rose Gallery basement with Ari sneaking food to him.
    “I don’t have a clue where my dad is. You believe me, right?” She lifted her head and turned to face him, her eyes shiny with unshed tears.
    “I do,” he said, and squashed any guilt he had at the semi-lie. He’d worked on the side of federal justice for eight years; he’d known Arianna eight minutes.
    “Do you mind driving?” she asked. “I don’t feel up to concentrating.”
    “Sure.” They quickly hopped out of the car to switch seats and he sped quickly back to her gallery.
      
    “Phone’s ringing,” Lance said as they walked in the gallery and up the stairs to her bedroom.
    “I’m letting it go to voice mail. There’s no one I want to talk to tonight.” The ringing abruptly stopped without the caller leaving a message.
    “No, there’s one person we’re going to call, and that’s Sam.”
    “Sam who?” And then she remembered. “Sam Cooper?” she asked, referring to her high school friend who was currently an FBI special agent. “How do you know him?”
    “Through Valerie.” He already had his cell in hand and was dialing a number. Numbly, she listened to