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Andrea picked up the one with her name. “This opens up.” She opened the bauble. “It’s empty.”
“Grandma Moretti and I have a tradition. Every year, we write a prayer for each other and put it inside an ornament. I have a glass jar of prayers from Grandma Moretti and Mr. E.”
Andrea held the bauble in both hands, and stared at Clary while her eyes teared up.
“What’s wrong?” Clary shot to her feet. “Did I say something wrong?”
“You included me.” Andrea blinked, and tears fell. “I’m not even part of Seth’s family.”
“Oh, Andrea.”
Andrea sniffed and sobbed as Clary hugged her.
“Don’t cry. It’s nothing.”
“You gave me a place to stay. You remembered me for Christmas, and now this.” Andrea continued sobbing.
“Gosh, Andrea. You got shot at because of me.”
“I was just doing my job.”
Clary patted Andrea’s back. “Okay. Okay. If you’re really grateful, then just be happy. Don’t cry.”
“I am happy.”
Clary laughed. “Okay.” She leaned back. “Since you’re happy, I don’t have to comfort you, right?”
Andrea shook her head and brushed away her tears.
Clary took the bauble from her. “Let me write my prayers, so I can hang them up on the tree tonight.”
Andrea waved her off and trotted toward the door. “Oh.” She spun around. “What about the bad news?”
Clary sighed. “All right. What is it?”
Andrea cleared her throat. “The security team found out that Tamara created a visitor’s pass around a week after you started work. She claimed she forgot her own pass. Then she never returned it. When they asked her about it, she claimed she lost it.”
“Does it matter? Even if Gavin still has the pass, it won’t work anymore.”
Andrea nodded. “But it means he might’ve been inside. He might’ve planted something, like a listening device. Maybe Hugh wasn’t the only one who decided to listen in on what was going in the office.”
Clary leaned back in her chair and felt under her desk. “Nothing.”
Andrea scanned the office. “He must’ve wanted something, though.” She gasped. “What if he set up bombs in the building?”
Clary rolled her eyes. “And you think Tamara would allow herself to be blown up?”
“She was double-crossed by Neil. Maybe Ressler double-crossed her too.”
“That’s just sad.”
“But not impossible.”
“Well, I hope there isn’t a bomb because I’m already stressed enough with work, with worrying if the presents will get here on time, and if I’ll have time and everything I need to whip up a decent Christmas meal.” Clary blew out a breath.
“Murphy used to say that we should just follow the money.”
Clary nodded slowly. “Tamara did seem really flush with money, didn’t she? Her diamond bracelet and earrings.” She pursed her lips. “Unless Neil bought those for her.”
