Shadow of Doubt (An SBG Novel Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

cameraman continued to film even though nothing could be seen through the heavy curtains. Four long, ulcer-producing minutes later, Michelle appeared. She ran from the bedroom, and with jerky, frantic movements, she resituated her dress. Pausing, she glanced back into the bedroom, then dashed for the foyer and promptly threw up in the corner. Shaking, she brushed a hand through her medium-length hair and wiped her eyes. Without another look, she grabbed her shoes and purse and raced out the door.
    The cameraman swung the handheld to film the hotel’s front door and within a minute, Michelle appeared, running up the street.
    The video ended.

Chapter 4
    Michelle Holman cradled her pounding head and groaned. Closing her eyes against the bright sun piercing the fast food joint’s windows, she rested her elbows on the Formica table.
    The extra-large coffee was not doing the trick.
    She was already seriously late for work and bet Senior Park Ranger Rick Spitz—aka Major Prick—was probably foaming at the mouth. Tough darts. No way could she motivate her hungover body to move any faster than a snail this morning.
    Another brief snatch of last night’s disaster assaulted her brain. This time shutting the hotel curtains after denying Colin’s offer to pour another glass of champagne. She groaned again softly and dug the heels of her palms into the grit weighting her eyes. She had barely slept last night due to the vertigo, roiling stomach, and constant images. Why had she allowed her coworker to talk her into breaking her stay-away-from-guys rule? Had she honestly thought last night would end differently than the other few times she’d attempted to start a relationship or even a one-night stand? If her aversion to performing most things sexual didn’t kill the mood, the scars on her body usually did the trick.
    Whoosh
. Her stomach lurched at the overpowering scent of hash browns now sizzling in a vat of grease.
What the heck was I thinking getting out of bed? I should’ve just called in sick
. It was the truth, after all.
Wine flu is totally a legitimate illness.
    She swiped her hands on her uniform pants and grimaced. They were getting a little too snug for comfort. Damn genetics. All the women in her family sported wide hips and “healthy” thighs. Her coworkers swore she looked great but all she felt like was a pear. Her breasts were average but her butt and legs definitely had substance. When she could handle food again, maybe she’d try the soup diet next. This all-meat diet to increase protein and restrict carbohydrates did nothing but add weight.
    The chorus from “Hero” suddenly blared from the cell phone resting on the table between her elbows. Having the theme song from
Spiderman
was corny and her coworkers made fun of her for it but she couldn’t help it. Every time she heard it, a pair of rich, coffee-hued irises invaded her mind, reminding her there truly were saviors in the world.
    She swiped the phone awake. “Hello.” Dang, her voice sounded too groggy. She cleared her throat and missed the first part of what the caller said.
    “. . . uben. We need to meet.”
    Her spine stiffened at the terse tone.
    “Agent Rueben?” she asked, relieved she no longer sounded like she housed a frog. “I’m surprised to hear from you. Is it the end of the quarter already?”
    Silence for two thunderous beats then he said on a sigh,
“Are you really surprised? I would think after the night you had this call would be expected.”
    WTH?
“Last night? I admit I got really drunk but I didn’t think that warranted a call from the U.S. Marshals’ office. Was I supposed to clear my drinking schedule with you first?” Why was she baiting the man?
    “Michelle,”
her case officer snapped.
“I really need you to come in.”
    Her pulse shot up, and she had to grip the phone tighter in her trembling hands. “What’s going on?”
    “Look,”
he whispered. She instantly pictured him hunched at his desk with his hand