“And it also helps you,” he said.
“Exactly. It takes him off his game. He’s not thinking about Edgar Roy. Or anything else. He knows we’ve set him up to take the blame. But he can’t do anything about it. All the people who matter have been dealt with.”
“It was a good plan.”
She eyed him thoughtfully. “You know, you can relax a bit. You look like you’re about to attack someone.”
Harkes let his rock-hard body ease just a fraction.
“You’ve done excellent work, Harkes. I’ve been impressed by you from day one. I plan on using you a lot in the future.”
She crossed her legs and let her dress slip back liberally on her bare thighs as she sat back farther against the cushions.
“I appreciate that, Secretary Foster.”
“We’re off the clock, Harkes. You can call me Ellen.”
Harkes said nothing to this.
“You’ve had an interesting life, James,” she said. “That was one reason I selected you.”
“I chose the path less traveled,” Harkes said simply.
“Combat hero, field agent with a list of successes. You can shoot straight and go toe-to-toe intellectually with a Cabinet member,” she added. “As I can certainly attest.”
Harkes said nothing.
She smiled demurely. “Am I making you uncomfortable?”
“Should I be?”
“I guess that all depends on how you want the evening to play out.”
“Do you think that wise, ma’am?”
“I’m not old enough to be a ma’am.”
“Sorry.”
“The staff is off until tomorrow. Security detail is outside and will stay there unless I tell them otherwise. I’m a big girl. You’re a big boy.”
She stretched out one bare foot and touched his leg. “At least I hope you are.”
Harkes sat in silence.
“Have you ever done it with a Cabinet member?” she asked.
“No. And since most of the Cabinet are male my options are limited.”
“Well, then this is your lucky night.”
Foster rose and went to him. She bent down and kissed him on the lips. “I hope you’re impressed. I don’t do this for just anybody.” She took one more sip of her drink and then put it down. She said casually, “I’m also in the market for a new chief of my personal security detail. I think you may like the fringe benefits offered.”
“I don’t think so.”
“What?” she said, startled.
Harkes rose. “I don’t mix business with anything else. Now if there’s nothing else you need, I’ll be going.”