Code Name Sentinel (Jameson Force Security 2)

“So until then…” Kynan states with frustration. “We wait.”

“Barrett…” I say to get her attention. She shifts to face me, eyebrows raised. “Where are all the places you go besides home and work? You could have been watched while running errands, and Bebe has a certain knack for, let’s just say, hacking video feeds.”

Barrett seems to ponder my question before shrugging. “Nowhere really.”

I smile, understanding the need for patience. “Where do you grocery shop?”

“Online,” she replies as if that’s the only place to buy food. “And I have it delivered.”

“Clothing?”

“Online,” she replies.

“Pharmacy?”

“Online.”

“You’re quite the hermit,” Bebe says appreciatively, as she’s just the same. Always with her nose buried in her computer when she’s not spending time at home with her mother and son. Despite her new freedom from prison, Bebe doesn’t go anywhere. I know it’s because she’s always looking over her shoulder for the people who had forced her to steal the government codes.

“I work, and I sleep,” Barrett says stiffly. “But I find my life fulfilling even if others don’t understand it.”

“Oh, girl,” Bebe says, holding out her fist to Barrett, who awkwardly bumps it. “I feel you.”

Barrett seems to be a bit revived after eating. Pushing her chair back, she stands. A fond smile softens her face when she looks down at Dozer. Their matching intellects must have helped to solidify the bond the chicken marsala started. “Thank you for dinner and the genius ideas you threw out.”

She nods at Bebe and Kynan before turning to me. “I’m going to get some work done unless you still need me?”

“Thank you for letting us use your house today,” Kynan says as he stands as well. “We’ll be getting out of here soon.”

“Stay as long as you like,” she replies politely, although it’s obvious she doesn’t like having her privacy disrupted.

“Also,” he says a bit hesitantly, “don’t forget you have that State dinner at the White House in two days. I just wanted you to know you’ll have extra protection to and from, but Jameson isn’t allowed in—”

Barrett waves him off. “Oh, I’m not going to that. Hate those things, and I’ve got way too much—”

“You’re going,” I state. Snapping her head my way, she narrows her eyes. I ignore her expression. “We need you to go. The fact you don’t go anywhere and have a fairly predictable routine is going to make it difficult to identify your potential kidnappers. If your routine is disrupted a bit, we might get more chatter about you.”

“Fine,” she grits out, and there’s no hiding her frustration. “But I think this is stupid. My theories aren’t worth much. Despite what you think, this is all wasted time in my opinion.”

God, I really hope she’s right about that.

Barrett pivots, then marches out of the kitchen. I don’t think twice as I follow her down the hall, through the foyer, and into the living room she’d converted into a sparse office. Apparently, she doesn’t need much but her laptop and a large whiteboard, which she draws formulas on.

“You okay?” I ask as I stop at the entrance, leaning against the wall.

She plops down at her desk with a huff, pushing against bangs that aren’t there as they’re already clipped out of the way. A huge sigh escapes her, and she apologetically says, “Look… I don’t mean to be ungrateful. I just don’t operate well when my routine is messed up. Everything is a little stressful, and it’s impacting my focus. I had a bad day at work because I couldn’t concentrate, and I’m just not sure all this extra protection is needed.”

“I get it,” I say as I hesitantly step into the room. For some reason, it feels wrong to invade the sanctity of where her magic happens. “Your work is important to you.”

“Not just important,” she corrects. “It’s my life.”

“Like I said… I get it. Been there, done that. No judgment from me. But you have to understand that your life could be in danger. Your uncle is doing the right thing by making these efforts to protect you. Hopefully, it will turn out to be nothing. However, if it turns out to be something, I’ve got your back. Nothing will happen to you on my watch, I promise.”

She gives me a wan smile, then tilts her head. “Why did you leave the Secret Service? Clearly, you enjoyed it. And you were really good at it. You seemed to treat your previous career the same way I do mine… putting it at the top of your life’s priority list.”

I nod, smiling as I remember how easy it was to make the decision to give that job up. “I realized I’d reached all my goals in that line of work.”

Barrett snorts. “You mean saving my uncle’s life?”

I laugh. “Yeah… that was sort of the pinnacle of my career.”