Attracted to Fire (2 page)

The potential to fulfill her dreams, the circumstances surrounding Lindsay Hall's unpredictable behavior, and the nightmare of working under Ash Zinders had Meghan wondering if the challenges ahead would be worth it.

Ash believed in Vice President Hall, known as the Shield by the Secret Service. He respected his commitment to his country and his devotion to his family. Books had been written about his political views, and one had been on the bestseller list for six months. How could a man of such integrity have a daughter who was a source of embarrassment for the whole country? International media laughed at her irresponsibility, and critics used her for comic relief in their opening monologues. Four years of protecting Lindsay Hall, and the situation had grown worse. Why couldn't the VP and his wife control their daughter's behavior? Ship her off to the Peace Corps, Siberia . . . anywhere but in the media's playground.

Across the desk sat his supervisor, Tom Warrington.

“Ash, I need to brief you on a few changes in protocol prior to meeting with your team.” Warrington shuffled papers in front of him. “They'll be here in thirty minutes.”

“Changes, sir?”

Warrington drummed his fingers. Not good. “You'll continue your role as SAIC for Lindsay's protection team, but the vice president has made a request. After last night's unfortunate incident on
The Barry Knight Show
, we've decided to bring in a woman agent.”

A woman agent?
“Why?”

“Special Agent Meghan Connors has an excellent reputation for getting the job done. And we think she'll be able to help keep Lindsay out of trouble. Possibly provide some direction with her medical issues.”

“In what way? Our job is to protect her, not help her buy lipstick.”

Warrington lifted a brow. “Connors will be a part of the six-agent team.”

The addition of more agents, including a woman, ground at him. “Why six agents for a VP's daughter?”

“That will be explained in depth when the VP arrives.”

“Sir, I don't understand the changes.”

He cleared his throat. “Note that Agent Connors will be assigned to Lindsay seven days a week, 0800 to 1700.”

A woman agent wouldn't work with the way Ash managed his team. Why was she being assigned his hours?

Warrington handed him three files. “These are the new agents. You've worked with Bob Lawson and Rick Norris before.”

“With all due respect, sir, I prefer to work with men.”

Warrington frowned. “The VP is desperate. We need to give her a chance for Lindsay's sake. For the VP's sake.”

“I understand, but—”

“You and I go back a long way, and I know why you feel this way. I'd like to think you could get beyond judging every woman agent because of one bad experience. Agent Connors has a stellar record. She's tough, and she's dedicated to her job. Do this for the vice president, Ash. She might be the one person who could turn Lindsay around. And that would help the VP and this country.”

“I'll do my best. However, I'd—”

“Deal with it, and do your job.”

Resentment seeped into Ash's bones. He had a spotless record, and he'd been reduced to taking care of two women? She might be a dynamic personality, a fine person, but women had no place in the Secret Service.

“The Vice President has located a working ranch in Texas for Lindsay.” He turned his computer to show a satellite image of a large ranch house, a barn, horse stables, and a couple of outbuildings.

“She can't run there.”

“I agree. It's about a hundred miles west of Austin. She won't have access to a phone or computer. Just fresh country air.”

“I'm assuming the VP needs her out of sight.”

“There's more to the problem. A call was made to the VP about 0300 this morning. A man said he had a bullet with Lindsay's name on it if she didn't pay up. He claimed she owed him for meds.”

The situation grieved him. Lindsay had so many opportunities to better herself. Maybe another woman
would
help. “She's in deep this time.”

Warrington handed him another file. “Here are the details of the ranch, photos, list of employees. The VP and his wife are deciding on a doctor to treat Lindsay at the ranch.”

“I knew they'd been investigating an alternative method of treatment. I saw the short list of the psychologists and psychiatrists.” Ash studied Warrington's face—obviously he'd been awake since the threatening call. “So this is crisis intervention in a big way.”

“And the media have to stay out of it.”

“Any leads on the caller?”

“Not yet. Working on it. The transfer will be made in the next couple of days.”

Lindsay did need to be out of the public's eye.

“One more thing here. President Claredon is back in the hospital. Looks like VP Hall will be taking on more responsibilities.”

Ash had heard rumors that the cancer had spread. “I'll do what needs to be done, sir.”

Chapter 2

Meghan googled Lindsay Hall on her BlackBerry, while Bob battled DC traffic in ninety-degree heat and blinding rain. The young woman's dossier read like a rap sheet. “We can only hope some of this is manufactured. Wish I'd been given her file before this meeting. I detest walking into a face-to-face unprepared.”

“Zinders won't leave out a thing.”

Maybe she should have googled Ash Zinders instead of Lindsay Hall. The rumors were just as intimidating. “Have you worked with him before?”

“About seven years ago on a counterfeit case. He had a reputation for being a pain in the rear. But I'll tell you this—he's one of the best agents out there.”

Meghan's stomach twisted. She wanted this assignment. It was the next step of her career plan. “I heard he doesn't like women agents.”

“You can drive that to the bank.”

The first time she'd experienced prejudice against women Secret Service agents was in her first day of training. “Any suggestions?”

“You've proved yourself, Meghan. Do your best, and he'll have no reason to complain. It's his problem, not yours.”

Right.
“Is he married?”

“No.”

Zinders's views about women agents would make her job miserable. Meghan clenched her fist and noted the missing diamond on her left hand. That relationship had gone sour, and she had to forget him and all he'd once meant to her. Her focus zeroed in on job performance. Nothing else.

“What more did you find out about our protectee?” The square-jawed man whipped his attention to her, then back to the traffic-clogged street.

The windshield wipers swished in time to the questions pounding in her brain. She scrolled through the list of articles. “From what I see, all we've heard has been documented. Some with glossy pics. She definitely has issues—and ruining her father's career is one of them.”

“Drugs and alcohol are major problems. Look at how many times she's been in and out of rehabs.”

Meghan knew exactly what drugs could do to a person's mind. She continued to scan the articles. “She's had several DUIs. An arrest for striking a cop. Cocaine possession—more than once. That's the CliffsNotes version.”

“We're going to be busy.”

Could this get any worse? A drug addict protectee and a special agent in charge who didn't like women on his team?

Bob turned into the parking garage of the unmarked building. Meghan noted the scowl and the way he locked his hand over the steering wheel. His attitude about this assignment hadn't changed either.

Ash still fumed about having to deal with a woman agent. Give her a chance? He couldn't imagine dealing with a woman's emotions when logic and quick action were critical to their protectee's safety. Women agents rarely lasted long. Later he'd pore over her file and find her weaknesses. He'd heard how she saved the VP's life in Atlanta. He'd like to believe that was hype—some female reporter wanting to put another woman in the spotlight. But the VP didn't blow smoke. Agent Connors had performed well in the line of duty. Glancing at his watch, Ash shoved the situation from his mind . . . for now.

Two minutes to 1400. His people knew how he valued punctuality.

The door opened and in filed his team of special agents, all familiar faces except Meghan Connors. An off-duty agent was at the VP's home with Lindsay, while feds labored over the investigation to locate the caller threatening her.

“Take a seat.” He nodded a greeting at Victor, Wade, and Rick. Seasoned agents.

Lawson stuck out his hand. “Good to see you again, sir.”

Ash grasped it firmly. “Glad to have you on the team.” Lawson had worked the past three years in Houston protecting Bush Sr. His reputation spoke of integrity, but how he'd manage their protectee was another matter. If Lawson hadn't been handpicked, Ash would wonder if he'd been demoted.

Connors reached out her hand, and he shook it while capturing her gaze. She didn't blink or move a muscle. He'd give her credit for not being intimidated. Not yet, anyway. The agents found a seat, but Ash remained standing. He preferred it that way.

“This briefing will be quick. Vice President Hall and Press Secretary Scottard Burnette will be joining us shortly.” He pointed to the files on the table. “Each of you has an updated report on Lindsay. For those of you who aren't aware of my style, that means you memorize everything. We leave at 0500 for Texas. A temporary team will be assigned to Lindsay until she joins us in a few days. This can't leak. Additional information will be given to you in the morning en route. I'd—”

A knock at the door interrupted him, and Vice President Hall and his press secretary walked in. The agents stood, but the VP gestured for them to sit.

Ash studied the face of the Shield, the man who covered for President Claredon while attempting to rein in his daughter. Lines deepened across the man's forehead and at the corners of his eyes, forming an oval from his nose to his chin. At fifty-two, the vice president shouldn't look so haggard and worn. Considering the president's battle with lung cancer, VP Hall could be taking over the country at a moment's notice.

The VP moved to the front of the table. “Please, sit down. I want to talk to you agents about my daughter. Protecting her is your job. Caring for her is mine. And for this assignment, we have to work together on both fronts.”

Ash took a chair across from Agent Connors, the arrangement providing an opportunity to observe her. Red-gold hair was swept back from her face and anchored at her nape, professional and neat. Impassive expression, motionless body. He couldn't read a thing. Someone had trained her well.

“I don't need to explain or excuse Lindsay's behavior.” The VP drew in a deep breath. “She's ill and needs extensive medical care. Her mother and I have decided to remove her from DC and place her in a remote area where no one can find her. Specifically, a working ranch west of Austin, Texas. Lindsay will be under the care of Dr. David Sanchez, a psychologist, and his nurse for an indefinite amount of time.” For a moment, his shoulders slumped. Then he regained his composure. “Dr. Sanchez has experienced tremendous success in treating patients similar to Lindsay. I believe his information has been added to your files.”

“It has, sir.” Ash had read enough about Dr. Sanchez to understand the VP and his wife were taking a risk in finding a solution for Lindsay's problem. His unorthodox methods were unconventional, and he hoped Lindsay's health didn't take a nosedive.

“Another critical matter is that Lindsay's life has been threatened. I believe the problem will be solved soon. As quickly as arrangements can be made, Lindsay will be escorted to Texas. She's not aware of this.” He glanced around the table. “Scottard, what would you like to add?”

The baby-faced press secretary poked his glasses onto his nose. “The media are going to be on this like flies on sugar once Lindsay disappears, but pacifying them is my job. I'll announce that she collapsed at her parents' home and is receiving medical treatment. I'll appease them with routine updates and lure them to other areas of the country. Except for her doctor and his assistant, no one is to have contact with her but the VP and his wife.”