Covert Attraction (15 page)

“All right,” the woman said. “Go ahead.” But before he reached the door that led from the reception area to the hallway and stairs to the observation area, it opened.

Beth came through it. She met his eyes for only a second before lowering her gaze.

“I’ve dropped the sanitizers off with the plant cleaning manager,” she said softly to the lady behind the desk.

“Good. Thanks for bringing them over.”

Her sideways glance at Daniel as he moved forward was triumphant.

They would have lots to talk about later.

Especially if the clever woman, who’d found an acceptable way of visiting here, had also figured out a way to check out the plant even more.

* * *

Despite having gotten into the other building and walked around on the main level, Beth recognized that she had accomplished little that day.

She’d found no way to gather samples. She hadn’t entered the areas where pharmaceuticals were manufactured and packaged. She hadn’t even figured out how to reprise her entry into the building.

The cleaning manager wasn’t going to run out of sanitizing solution often—if ever again.

Beth thought about her limited success all day, and especially now as she finished her last cleaning assignment before her designated time to leave—a hallway on the first floor outside the elevators and the unimportant administrative offices located on that level.

People walked by, usually in pairs or groups. They all ignored her, which was fine with her.

She was dressed like a janitress. She smelled sweet and tangy, like the cleaning brews she utilized.

She supposed she should feel grateful that no one seemed to recognize her at work—or at least no one had confronted her. Nor had anyone made catty remarks about the time she’d spent talking to that nerdy tech guy in the parking lot.

But she wished she had done more that day than simply enter the manufacturing plant.

Although...maybe it had been enough. She’d seen what it was about and realized how unlikely it was that she, at least, would be able to study it enough and grab stuff up that could be used as evidence.

For now, she pushed her filled cart around and cleaned the areas designated by her boss, Mary—including the cafeteria, as she’d been told, and also some storage areas.

That meant she didn’t run into Daniel again, which might be a good thing.

Their ruse would involve their pretending to be seeing each other outside work. While here, they would need to act cordial but remote, as if they’d seen one another before but that was all.

Would anyone buy that? Probably at least those people with no agenda regarding them.

But how about the person who had followed her, or whoever had told him to do it?

And Beth was convinced that, whoever it was, Preston Corcoris had to be involved.

As she finished dusting the top of a door frame and dismounted from the small footstool that she carried around on the cart, she saw Daniel approach from the main entry door.

Her heart stopped, then started again at an elevated pace.

Dumb reaction.

As he reached her, she heard him mutter, “Six o’clock.” He didn’t slow down or stop but continued to a door to a stairway.

Six o’clock? That was half an hour from now.

She had to interpret what he’d meant. Well, after their apparent agreement that morning, she would assume he wanted to meet her at her car at that time so they could continue their pretense of being a couple hiding their relationship.

That would also be a good time to briefly recap what they had learned that day.

Should she exaggerate her success in getting into the manufacturing facility to show that she, at least, had met the challenge she had given them?

Heck, he’d met it, too. She had even seen him there.

Had he, unlike her, learned anything helpful?

Their efforts here weren’t really a contest. If either of them succeeded in finding the needed evidence, they both would succeed.

Then, eventually, she would believe that both her family and she would finally be safe.

Okay, Daniel,
she thought.
Tell me what you found.

She hoped it was exactly what they both had been looking for.

Chapter 15

I
t was no accident that at six o’clock Daniel followed Beth out the employees’ exit with a few other people between them. He had planned it that way, finding a place to hang out, ostensibly talking on his cell phone, pushing his geeky glasses up to the bridge of his nose, as he waited for her to leave.

He wouldn’t tell her why, since she’d seemed so intent on taking care of herself, even when she was clearly rattled by what was going on around her. And even though, like it or not, she knew why he felt compelled to ensure her safety.

But that was before. He’d been concerned about her when he saw her gloat inside the production building, and he remained concerned for her now.

The SUV that had followed her yesterday late in the day remained squarely on his mind as they prepared to leave the quasi safety of the Corcoris campus.

At least with the new game they were beginning to play about being a secret couple, presumably no one who paid any attention to them would see anything off about his nearness to her, now or any other time.

Would that change the approach of anyone trying to harm her—or him, for that matter? Unlikely, but Daniel did like that Beth was now including him in her planning.

And her challenges.

The crowd surged pretty much in the direction they were both heading: toward the company’s parking garage, at the edge of the property behind both buildings.

“Hi, Daniel.” The feminine voice beside him startled him. He turned to see one of the other lab rats who helped in random quality-control tests walking beside him.

“Hi, Samantha,” he returned, giving her a friendly grin. “Good day today?” Like, did any of your QC tests on some of the newer, less established and more lucrative drugs show any problems? If so, did those problems appear in any reports? But he couldn’t ask her that.

“Good enough,” the tall plain woman answered, but a troubled expression marred her pale face.

Before Beth’s arrival here, Daniel had tried to get to know Samantha and some other female lab rats like Ilana better, hoping that if he acted interested in them they would share secrets.

But whether it was warnings—explicit or tacit—that floated between the walls of the company headquarters or just his unsexy demeanor here, that angle hadn’t succeeded.

“How about you?” Samantha continued, giving him a smile.

Interesting. Maybe his earlier efforts were now paying off after all. If he hadn’t already had plans—like meeting up with Beth and ensuring her safety—he would have invited Samantha to join him for a drink.

Not now, though. Not while he was following Beth.

Even so, he drew a little closer, trying to make it appear as if the press of others heading toward the garage was crowding him. Maybe he could suggest some more businesslike reason to meet up with her.

He bent toward Samantha and said softly, “As you know, I’m fairly new here, and I have some questions. Do any of you ever get together to talk about inconsistencies in any tests?”

“Inconsistencies?” Her voice, though still low, squeaked. “I’ve never seen any. And, no, I’ve never heard anyone else talk about any, either.”

Which meant, Daniel surmised, that she’d seen something troubling, and so had others working in the labs, but they didn’t dare to discuss it. Interesting—but he doubted that following up with Samantha would yield anything.

Especially now, when he was Beth’s new guy.

Samantha probably had no idea about that, but she had started walking faster, evidently wanting to get away from him.

He didn’t step up his own pace, since he was walking about the same speed as Beth, who remained ahead of him among a bunch of other people.

She soon reached her car and headed toward the driver’s side. She rooted in her purse for her key, and he figured she took her time finding it since the time was almost exactly six o’clock and she would expect him to meet her there.

Which he did, maneuvering his way between her car and the one nearest it.

“Hello, Beth.” He stuck his dweebiest smile on his face in case anyone was watching. “How was your day?” That was a nice, friendly question he could ask everyone he met, not just Samantha and Beth.

“Okay.” She looked down toward her car door in her shyness mode. “And yours?”

“Okay.” He spoke loudly enough so the people behind them could probably hear. He followed it up, though, by moving only his lips:
See you at your place.

She blinked before looking shyly down again.

She got it.

* * *

Even knowing that Daniel had her back again, Beth drove carefully to her apartment, keeping watch behind her and even off to the sides.

Her apparently being followed last evening had freaked her out, and since the vehicle had been stolen, she didn’t even try to convince herself it was a coincidence. Sure, she had already been observing her surroundings, but now she was even more cautious.

She wanted to talk to Daniel again. Not that she had much to report about what she’d accomplished that day, but having someone to bounce thoughts and concerns off of—well, that was worth a lot.

She didn’t intend to cook, though. If he wanted to stay, she would order out. Pizza, probably.

She finally reached her building and pulled into her spot.

By the time she had turned off her engine and gotten out of the car, Daniel was at her side.

“Hi, Daniel,” she said in her janitress’s soft voice. “Nice to see you again.”

“Ditto, Beth.” He still wore his glasses and sent her a toothy smile.

Ah, yes, they were both still in their roles.

But after she had carefully turned off the alarm and used her key to get inside the building’s door, he didn’t wait till they were upstairs to plant that sexy body of his right in front of her. “Hello, Beth,” he said in what she now knew was his normal, enticing voice.

“Ditto, Daniel,” she said, much louder than she had spoken for hours.

In moments, right there in the entry, which fortunately was opaque with no glass that anyone could see through, he took her into his arms. His searing kiss left her almost breathless.

But she managed to stop and back away.

“Let’s not go there,” she said. “Things become too difficult.” She looked into his face, ignoring the heat and need in his blue eyes. “Agreed?”

“You’re right—this time,” he responded in a teasing tone.

“I’m always right.” She checked in the room where the building’s mail boxes lined the walls, unlocked hers with a key and pulled out the contents—all advertising flyers.

As it had been since her arrival. No one who might send her anything with meaning other than utility bills knew where she was.

She led Daniel upstairs and unlocked her apartment door. Her first glance inside ended at her convertible sofa. Tonight it would stay a sofa until Daniel left again.

“Come in,” she invited him. “Learn anything interesting today—like at the manufacturing building?”

“Just more suspicions.”

“You need to tell me. Okay if I order in a pizza?”

It was fine, and they negotiated what to order on it. She liked veggies and cheese; he liked pepperoni and sausage. They decided on half-and-half.

She laid her purse down on the floor near the entry to the kitchen and walked inside. “Beer, wine, soda or water?”

“Beer sounds good.”

She got two bottles out of the fridge and opened them, then walked into the main room of the small apartment and handed Daniel his beer. Placing hers on the small oblong table against the wall, she pulled out one of the two chairs and sat, waiting for him to do the same.

When she looked at him again, she blinked. He had taken off those geeky glasses and stuck them in the pocket of his shirt—a black knit one that hugged his muscles now that he wasn’t bent over in lab-tech mode again.

Sexy? Oh, yeah. No matter what she had told him downstairs, she ached to be in those muscular arms again. Maybe without that shirt. No, definitely without it, or his dark trousers. Not that she would let on what she was feeling. She took a long swig of beer.

“So tell me what you learned today,” she said, all business.

Now, if only she could stay that way.

* * *

Daniel was glad she’d asked him that. It gave him better perspective on why he was here—in case he needed the reminder. Which he didn’t.

Being in her apartment again with Beth was just another convenient way for them to coordinate what they were doing and to continue playing their new roles as coworkers who were attracted to one another.

“For one thing, I didn’t get much out of my visit to the production building—but at least I got inside. Did you see anything helpful?”

By the sad expression that passed over her face, the answer he expected was confirmed. “Not really. And I doubt that I’d be able to find anything we can use even if I get back there. Too much going on, and a cleaning-staff member not assigned to work there wouldn’t be able to snoop around much. How about you?”

“Same goes for a lab guy who’s working in the admin building—and I was advised today that there are occasional group meetings for us over there but that otherwise we’re supposed to stay away.”

“It shouldn’t matter,” Beth said. “I really think we can find what we need in the building where we spend most of our time.”

“Agreed. In fact, I had a very short talk with another lab tech as I followed you out to your car that gave me even more optimism about that.”

He started to describe what had—and hadn’t—been said as he’d spoken so briefly with Samantha, but his phone rang.

He pulled it out of his pocket and checked the caller ID.

“Got to take this,” he told Beth. “It’s Judge Treena.” He saw worry flood Beth’s face and smiled reassuringly. “Hi, Judge.”

“Hello, Daniel,” she responded. “How are things in Moravo Beach?”

“Good, but not as productive as I’d like.”

“Well, we’re going to step things up. First of all, we’ve gotten some information from those two physicians that Beth Jones heard talking. They’re not completely cooperative, but they’ve told us enough to get us started looking specifically into the diet medication they mentioned.”

“No kidding.” He put his hand over the phone and told Beth what the judge had said.

She smiled and gave a thumbs-up.

“In fact,” the judge continued, “I’ve convinced the FDA to send the additional inspectors I’d requested. They’re arriving there tomorrow to go over the official records again.”

Daniel snorted. “I’ll bet they won’t get into the unofficial records any more than they did last time.” He glanced at Beth. “You’ll be interested to know that the cavalry arrives tomorrow,” he said softly. At her questioning look he chuckled and added, “The FDA again.”

“Who are you talking to?” Judge Treena barked sharply into his ear.

“Beth Jones. She looks glad about the news about those doctors. She and I are collaborating now even more on our search for what can be used as evidence.”

“Still? It’s a good idea, but...” The judge paused and asked, “Where are you now? Are you somewhere you can talk?”

“We’re fine. We’re at Beth’s place.”

Another pause. “How closely are you working together?” She sounded suspicious.

He didn’t need to explain their new ruse to the judge. Instead, he told her what she already knew. “We’re both after the same thing and we’re collaborating on the best ways to get it, not just comparing notes.”

But he knew what the judge really wanted to learn.

Was it just a business relationship, as it should be?

“And have you made any additional progress by planning that way?”

“It’s still a work in progress.”

“I’ll bet.”

His discussion with the judge continued for another few minutes, and then she asked to speak with Beth, whom she said she had intended to call later.

Taking the phone, Beth listened for a moment, then said, “No, I don’t think I’ve been followed again. And Daniel has been really great in keeping watch on my behalf. Any word yet on who stole that SUV?” Beth listened for a moment and her eyes grew wide. “You’re kidding. No, I know you’re not. That street is only a few blocks from my parents’ house. Did he say—?”

As Daniel watched, he grew angrier, although he wouldn’t let it show. What was going on? And why hadn’t the judge told him?

Beth listened some more, then handed the phone back to him.

“What—?” he began, but Judge Treena interrupted.

“That was next on my list to tell you. The SUV’s been found and impounded. The thief happened to be in it, too, a guy with a lot of car thefts on his record. Name of Billings. He’s not talking, but his happening to have followed Beth in the stolen vehicle, then getting caught in the neighborhood she used to live in... Well, the local cops are still working on it and so are we. Plus, we’ve gotten them to step up their patrols in the neighborhood where the car was found. We’ll let you know if we find anything else.”

“Please do that.” His tone was more irritable than he’d intended, but the judge’s response was in her normal brisk tone.

“Stay in touch, Daniel. I will, with anything I learn, but I especially want to know how things work out with the FDA. And also...”

“Also what, Judge?”

“Be careful about your...collaboration. Got it?”

He did.

“No problem,” he responded. And just in case she needed more, he added, “All is cool.”

* * *

Beth was even more frightened now for her parents.

At least the thief had been caught, but where he’d been found had surely been no coincidence. She was glad to hear that there was added security in the neighborhood, but was that enough?

This wasn’t a good time, but she would call home soon—and urge her family even more to get out of town.

Beth was also concerned about Judge Treena and what she must be thinking now. At least so far she hadn’t threatened Beth with any repercussions for her disobeying what Her Honor and her crew had ordered her to do for her own safety—stay away from Moravo Beach and particularly Corcoris Pharmaceuticals—and was even going beyond what she had promised to do to help Beth’s family.