Brutal Obsession (The Safeguard Series, Book One) Read Online Free PDF Page B

communication, through the U.S. Postal Service was a federal crime and one her office would prosecute once the FBI made the case.
    “I don’t have time right now, sir,” Ashlyn said, managing to look pointedly at her silver watch without spilling her latte. “I’m due in court. I told Gina to contact your office. I should be back around five o’clock.”
    “We need to talk,” Jarod advised in a concerned tone that made Ashlyn even more on edge than she already was. His usual air of confidence seemed slightly rattled, but he gave nothing away. His navy blue suit didn’t have a bit of lint on the fabric and there wasn’t a strand out of place of his black hair that was peppered with grey. It was something in his mannerisms that told her he was tense. “Five o’clock. No later. And you don’t leave for any reason beforehand.”
    Ashlyn almost called Jarod back into her office, but then decided against it. Had there been an immediate threat of life and death, he wouldn’t be waiting until later this afternoon to talk to her. She started toward the door before being held up once more.
    “Morning, Ms. Ellis,” Paul acknowledged, a small black bag of tools in his hand. He was one of the better IT technicians who came calling whenever there was an issue with the network and tended to stay too long at Gina’s desk. “Victor sent me down to take a look at your computer. He wants—”
    “It’s okay, Paul,” Ashlyn answered, trying not to sound too abrupt. She figured she had less than fifty minutes now, where she would then be en route for the Federal Courts via the secure shuttle service. She still needed time to address her team and meet with her witness. “Please give Parker the report on whatever you find, so that he can forward it on to Special Agent Coulter.”
    “Of course,” Paul replied as he stepped aside to let her pass by. Gina stayed behind to talk to him, giving Ashlyn the distraction she needed to finally escape the magnetic pull of her office. “I need…”
    Ashlyn finally made it to the front entrance of the cubicles. Her team consisted of four paralegals; all of whom she’d handpicked herself. The talent standing before her—Mia Hernandez, Parker Davis, Aiden Younger, and Reed Foster—was astounding. Now she had to give them an update and also a briefing on what today held for them.
    “Parker, I hate to do this to you again,” Ashlyn said honestly, but having no other choice but to leave him behind. “I need you to stay here.”
    Ashlyn took five minutes she didn’t have and gave additional details of what had transpired over the course of yesterday. Gina would keep them apprised, but Parker needed to understand why she requested he stay behind. It wasn’t long before Mia and Aiden fell into step with her as they proceeded to the lobby. Reed stayed behind to plow through some preceding case law that had similar attributes and might provide some precedence that might be able to help during closing arguments, if not provide her with a motion for the case to force the court’s hand.
    “Do you need to switch shoes?” Mia asked once they were inside the elevator.
    “Is it that obvious?” Ashlyn asked, raising an eyebrow in question. She leaned back against the laminate wood to catch her breath. This was the chaotic atmosphere she usually thrived in and all she could think of was that she would love to be back in her office with the door shut to keep away everything and everyone. She didn’t have that luxury, just as she couldn’t afford for anyone to see a weakness. She exhaled and then straightened away from the wall right before the doors slid open. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m fine. Let’s get this day started.”
    *
    How could she act as if she hadn’t betrayed him?
    He’d even reached out to her, brushing his hand against hers…so warm and inviting. He hadn’t meant to close his eyes and he was relieved to see no one had noticed anything other than an innocent