Rogue Asset (Book 3 of the Wade Hanna Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

paused when she saw Wade’s expression of understanding.
    “The reception takes place at the same time every year when there are U.N. and Pentagon conferences and private international security briefings going on around town. A number of our agents also attend those briefings.”
    “Sounds like everything is covered.”
    “Yep.”
    As they approached Megan’s condo, Wade glanced up at the modern condo eight-story building above. Megan turned into the underground parking garage of her condo. She pushed the clicker on her visor to activate the steel gates.
    “Here we are.”
    Her assigned parking space was not far from the elevator. Megan’s surroundings for some reason relaxed Wade. He just followed Megan into the elevator up to the lobby that opened into a beautiful glass enclosed surround lined with large palms.

 
    Chapter 3
    Washington, DC
     
    The modern, open, well-appointed lobby caused Wade to gasp. It was more upscale than he had imagined and certainly several steps beyond his student apartment in Greenstone, Alabama.
    “This is nice.”
    The guard turned and acknowledged Megan with a smile. He tipped his hat as they passed through the elevator doors. Megan’s other key card activated the elevator door, and they ascended four floors. Wade stood briefly paused in the doorway as Megan swung the door open.
    “That didn’t take long at all from work.”
    “I have the street lights timed pretty well and will take the best route depending on traffic. Sometimes I get tied up when we have heavy snow. I’m also able to work from home when I need to.”
    “That’s nice of the Agency.”
    Wade was stunned by the beauty of Megan’s unit. The appointments inside were all done in exquisite taste. Everything was bright and clean with furniture perfectly placed. Everything he could see was decorated in a wonderful contemporary-eclectic style. Wade thought to himself, I should have known her place would look like this.
    They walked into the open-plan living and dining room combination. A beautiful polished wooden tabletop reflected the modern glass sculpture centerpiece. Wade noticed each chair was set precisely the same distance from the table.
    The living room continued the contemporary look with a mixture of antique and modern chairs set around a traditional love seat. Each fabric was a mixture of texture and pattern, but all carefully coordinated in complementary tones of beige and light gray.
    Along one wall was a built-in bookcase over a serving buffet painted a soft white. The buffet extended out from the bookcase, so it worked as a serving platform. Wade expected nice from Megan’s place, but this unit was a showplace demonstrating her mastery of both design and attention to detail.
    Wade immediately felt embarrassed about his student apartment in Greenstone, Alabama. He told himself, I won’t be there for long . Trying to keep from overreacting in awe, Wade concentrated on reducing the size of his gauging eyes that seemed to be taking in everything in the room all at once.
    “This is beautiful!”
    Megan downplayed the compliment and the effort it took to get everything the way she wanted it.
    “Thank you. I’m glad you like it. I’ve thrown together a few pieces I’ve collected from here and there. It’s been a fun project to work on.”
    “It’s just amazing,”
    “Can I get you anything?
    “A glass of water would be great.”
    Megan returned from the kitchen with a glass of ice water sitting on a napkin and coaster and handed it to Wade. Wade thanked Megan as his hand slipped under the napkin to hold the glass. He folded up the napkin around the glass so that he kept the napkin between his fingers and the glass. He set the glass down on the coaster. With habit and ritual precision, Wade unfolded the napkin and rewrapped it around the glass, so the lower half of the glass was covered by the napkin. Megan noticed how Wade wrapped the glass and wondered if it was one of his southern rituals.
    Wade