Page 51 of Serve ’N’ Protect

“Good?” Cassidy bit her lip, a worried expression taking over her features, as if she really didn’t know what he’d say.

The cookies could have tasted like cardboard for all he cared. What mattered was that she’d made them for him. “Kick-ass good.” He fished another cookie from the basket, adding, “Thanks, Mrs. Fields,” referring to one of the original 1970s franchise cookie queens. “They’re perfect.”

The beatific smile on her bruised, swollen face kindled an unexpected warmth in his chest, one that fanned outward, growing steadily until he was grinning back like an idiot while he chewed the rest of the carb-loaded cookie.

“I also wanted to make you Mallomars,” she said, turning to set the timer. “Just so you could try them out. But every attempt I’ve made never turns out right. I can never get the marshmallow to stick properly to the cookie layer, and the chocolate always winds up a goopy mess.”

He fished another cookie from the basket. “Can’t you buy them?”

“For some reason, you can’t get them around here. Never understood why, but it breaks my heart.” For emphasis, she placed her hand over her heart.

Markus bit into another cookie, savoring one of the only good things he remembered of his childhood.

After polishing off two more cookies, he refocused on Cassidy’s work dilemma. “Are you sure there’s nothing you can do on my laptop?” he asked.

They’d already tried, unsuccessfully, to install some of Cassidy’s accounting software on his laptop, but Uncle Sam apparently didn’t trust its employees and had installed too many administrative restrictions to load unsanctioned software.

“No, but thanks. I’ll wait for the new one to get here.” She picked up her phone and blew out a heavy breath. “I guess there’s no putting this off.” She cued up a number then put the phone to her ear. “This is Cassidy Morgan,” she said when her call connected. “May I speak with Walt Teedle? I need to—” She paused to listen then, “Thank you.”

Based on the way she sucked in her lower lip between her teeth and began tapping one finger on the edge of the phone’s cover, this wasn’t a conversation she was looking forward to.

“Hi, Walt. It’s Cassidy Morgan. I’m calling for a couple of reasons.” Grimacing, she squeezed her eyes shut. “As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I still need those other documents in order to complete your audit. I still haven’t received them, and I can’t—” She rolled her lips inward as she listened. “Of course I remember. Believe me, I’d love nothing more than to earn that bonus, but as things stand right now, I can’t finish the audit. There’s no supporting documentation for the losses you reported over the last two years.”

Still listening, she began pacing around the kitchen. “I understand your frustration,” she continued, “but unfortunately I can’t, uh, I can’t take your word for it. That would be unethical, and it’s going to be my name and signature on the last page. I’m sorry, but the numbers in your annual income statements just don’t jibe with any of the receipts and unpaid invoices you’ve already given me. I’m sure everything will be fine. If you can find those documents, that would take care of everything.”

Markus had been about to cue up the last fifteen minutes of the Saudi video but paused. Sounded like the client was asking Cassidy to do something inappropriate. He glanced up to see her blow out what looked like a huge breath of relief.

“Thank you,” she said, smiling. “I appreciate that. Really, I do. But I also need to make you aware of another small problem.”

When she began describing the burglary, Markus hit the play button. The video’s clock indicated it was nearly midnight, nearing the end of his and Ghost’s shift. Some guests had already left the party, while others were just arriving. He’d heard from the replacement K-9 team that the party had gone on until 4 a.m.

Cassidy continued her conversation, one hand absently stroking Ghost, who’d come in from the living room to follow her around the kitchen. Less than three weeks ago, they’d been strangers, all of them. He never would have expected to be sitting comfortably at her kitchen counter, munching away on cookies as if he’d lived here for years. Even Ghost seemed thoroughly at home, making it clear by how attentive he was to Cassidy that she was now part of his pack. At work, he and Ghost shared a partnership. After work, at home, they were still a team, but it was more a duo of friends. Somehow, their duo had become a trio.

Strangers had become friends, but it wasn’t the same as the closeness he shared with Kade, Matt, and the other K-9 guys. Cassidy’s friendship was laced with an intimate comradery that he didn’t have with anyone else. Now, he couldn’t stop noticing the way all the Christmas lights glinted off her golden-blond hair, making it shine like the sun. How her lips were lush and berry-sweet.

Or how sexy she was in those tight purple cycling shorts.

Something the guy on the other end of the phone said made her lips twist with worry, and he couldn’t stop staring at her mouth.

Je-sus. He had about as much self-control as a dog in a butcher shop.

Markus refocused on the video. In the last five minutes of his shift, his replacement arrived in a Secret Service vehicle. Then he watched himself and Ghost getting into the Interceptor and leaving. He closed the laptop, staring at the cover. It was official. Another dead-end bites the dust.

“Thank you, Walt,” Cassidy said, smiling. “My new laptop should be arriving later today, and I promise you I can get back up to speed quickly. And again, I’m so sorry for the delay.” As she ended the call, her smile faded.

“How’d it go?” Markus asked.

“Regarding the burglary? Or the fact that not only will his audit be even more delayed but that some of his personal financial information is on my stolen laptop?”

“Both.”

“Surprisingly well, actually. Especially considering how quickly he’d wanted this done. He’s such a nice man. He kept asking if I was okay and if there was anything he could do. I told him I was fine and that I didn’t lose all the spreadsheets I’d made since I backed up all the critical data on the external hard drive. He was totally understanding and had no problem giving me an extension.” She set the phone on the counter and picked up a metal spatula, using it to transfer cookies to a basket. “He promised to send me what I need but I swear, their recordkeeping system must be one hot mess. Either that, or…” She broke off, staring at the tray of cookies.

“Or what?”

“Oh, nothing.”

But he could tell it was something. He was tempted to pump her for more information about whatever she’d referred to as being unethical, but he also respected her for maintaining her client’s financial privacy.