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He hesitated, heat rising into his cheeks. “Nothing.”
“I don’t believe you.” She glanced over her shoulder toward the security office. “I think the police need to interrogate you.” As she turned, he reached out and grabbed her arm.
“Okay,” he said. “I was running. But not from anyone. And I didn’t take the baby.”
She gave a pointed stare at the hand on her arm. “I’m not buying it.”
He released her. “I wasn’t running from anyone. I was running… I was having…” Cliff swore under his breath. “I had a massive panic attack. I dove through that door so people wouldn’t see me lose my shit.” He pushed a hand through his hair, turned away for a moment then faced her again. “Look, I’m sorry about your sister’s baby. If there’s anything I can do to help, I will. If I hadn’t stopped you when I did, you might’ve caught up to him.”
Her frown deepened. “Panic attack?” Her gaze swept over him. “You don’t strike me as a man who has panic attacks.”
“Yeah, and I’d appreciate it if you’d keep it to yourself.” He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “It’s not something I’m proud of.”
She planted a fist on one hip. Her dark brows rose, and moss green eyes challenged. “Why should I believe you?” Jenkins wore no makeup and didn’t need to. Naturally dark lashes framed moss green eyes; her pale smooth completion required no enhancements. She was a naturally beautiful woman—and appeared to be as tough as nails. She had to be strong and confident to make it through the FBI academy.
Cliff had to admit he was impressed and maybe a little attracted to a woman who could stand up to men in a male-dominated career field.
“You shouldn’t believe me.” His lips twisted. “I wouldn’t believe me if I were you. Until the baby is found, you shouldn’t trust anyone.”
Her lips quirked on the corners. “At least we agree on something.” She tipped her chin toward him. “Where were you before you ran into me in the stairwell?”
“In my friend’s room,” Cliff said. “He’s recovering from surgery.”
“Can he vouch for your whereabouts?”
“As long as they haven’t given him any pain meds to help him sleep. Not that he’d ask for them.”
“Tough guy?” she quipped.
He nodded. “One of the toughest.”
“And you’re not?”
He shrugged. “I am when I need to be.”
Her frown softened a little. “Chemical imbalance? Or trauma?”
Cliff frowned. “Huh?”
“The…you know…” she lowered her voice, “panic attacks?”
“Not important,” he said. “What’s important is finding your sister’s baby. And I meant it. If I can help in any way, I will.”
“Like you can drop everything and go on a manhunt? Don’t you have a job?”
“I do, but I can postpone my start date.”
“Start date? You haven’t started this job? And your new boss is okay with that?”
“Should be.”
Jenkins snorted. “I need a boss like that. What is it you do that you can put off so easily?”
“I’m going to work for an organization called the Brotherhood Protectors.”
The agent’s brows rose. “Hank Patterson’s bunch?”
He nodded. “Heard of them?”
