“I’m glad to see her enjoying herself,” the admiral said after coming to stand beside Griffin. “She seems to have recovered well after last night’s events.”
“It would seem so,” Griffin agreed. He, on the other hand, was still struggling with what he’d seen in Marin’s penthouse apartment.
“The medical examiner’s results are back early.”
Griffin pushed away from the column, his attention piqued. “That never happens.”
“Mm-hmm. The homicide detectives are on their way over to discuss them with me in person, which could mean one of two things. Either the news is dire. Or they just want an opportunity to check out the interior of the White House,” the admiral mused.
“I’d like to sit in on that meeting.”
“I figured you might. The director and I are meeting them in the Map Room in fifteen minutes. We’ll expect you.”
With a curt nod, the admiral made his way back inside the White House.
Marin was kissing the dog on the head when Griffin refocused his attention on her. Something about the way she smiled at Otto made his gut clench.
“I amnotjealous of a damn dog,” he mumbled.
A low whistle sounded and Otto sped off like a rocket racing across the lawn to find his handler. Marin watched him go before lifting her face to the bright April sunshine, seeming to revel in its warmth before resolutely striding toward the Palm Room entrance. Griffin stepped out from the shadows where he’d been observing her and intercepted Marin on the path.
“Agent—Griffin,” she said with a start. She paused on the pathway, taking in his suit and tie. “I didn’t realize you were working on a Saturday.”
He didn’t bother to tell her he’d spent much of the day in the forensics lab with Ben, the two of them going over the video from the metro station frame-by-frame. He’d only stopped over at the White House to check on the progress of the audit of the artwork.And on her.Griffin told himself it was because he didn’t want his prime suspect to slip away. That was all.
“This job is twenty-four seven when I’ve got an open case,” he said.
“Are you any closer to finding out what happened to Wes?”
She was awfully curious about the curator’s death. Her keen interest rankled Griffin because he couldn’t determine whether it was concern for the curator or herself. He debated whether to tell her the police were coming with the autopsy results, just to see how she’d react. In the end, he decided to stick with procedure and play things close to the vest.
“Still working on it.”
Marin nodded. “I just came out for a breath of fresh air. Diego had to run a quick errand, and I was starting to feel closed in on such a beautiful day. We’ve still got hours’ worth of work to do.” She smiled and shook her head. “I’m sorry. I doubt you care about all that. I’ll let you get back to whatever it is that you’re doing.”
“As it happens, I was looking for you. Again.”
She blushed prettily. Griffin cursed his body’s reaction.
“Well, if you’re coming to make your case for me to take you to the wedding, you don’t have to. I’ve decided to take you up on your offer. And I’ve already arranged my side of the bargain, as well. My brother, Sebastian, handles all the security issues. You have a breakfast meeting with him the day of the wedding.”
Griffin had to keep from rocking back on his heels; he was so stunned by her announcement. Given the abrupt way she’d dismissed him last night, he figured his shot at gaining access to the Chevalier inner sanctum was moot.
“Thank you,” he managed to say. “I agree to hold up my end of the bargain, complete with unending chivalry, dancing, and adoring glances when appropriate.”
Marin’s blush grew even deeper causing Griffin to scramble for another topic before he did something foolish like leaning in and kissing her.
“I have news about Anika.”
Her face blanched at the abrupt change in subject. “Please tell me she’s alive.”
He nodded, feeling like a heel at the sound of concern in her voice. “She’s stable, but not out of the woods yet.”
She turned her face away, brushing at her cheek as she did so. “I’ll just keep praying then.”
Her tears didn’t surprise Griffin, but they did conflict him even more where Marin Chevalier was concerned.
“Thank you for coming to tell me,” she said when she’d composed herself. “I’ve got to get back to the kitchen. Diego should be back by now. When you’ve finished for the day, please stop by and I’ll give you the itinerary for the wedding. We can discuss travel arrangements then, too. Of course, I’ll pick up all the expenses.”