Sex, Lies and Surveillance Read Online Free Page B

you settling into Philadelphia? It’s not a bad city, once you get to know it.”
    “Actually, the city’s got a lot going for it.” Mal answered honestly. “The food’s incredible, the people are friendly…usually,” he added, “and there’s enough to keep an amateur historian busy for years.”
    Frank’s eyebrows lifted. “You like history? A man after my own heart.”
    Frank sounded surprised and a little pleased. Good. He’d hit on something they had in common. Keep him talking, play on that. Get the man to open up, just a little, and maybe something would slip out.
    Fat chance, son.
    Yeah, well, he could hope.
    “I’ve been meaning to get out to Valley Forge,” Mal continued, “but the closest I’ve gotten to a historical site has been driving by the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.”
    “Well, there’s a lot to see, that’s for sure.” Then Frank frowned. “Gracie said you’ve been working long hours. You know we don’t expect that, right?”
    “Yes, sir.” Mal shrugged. “I’m used to it. Old habits die hard.”
    “Yes, they do. When I talked to your former boss, he said you were something of a workaholic. Gotta watch that. The stress’ll catch up with you.” Lifting a hand to his chest, Frank rubbed a spot just below his sternum. “And before you know it, you’re in an operating room on your back with your chest cut open, wondering how the hell you got there.”
    A twinge of worry caught Mal off guard. What kind of stress would it put on Frank’s heart when he found out Mal’s true mission? And why should he care? This man could be partly responsible for Dev’s death.
    With a sigh, Frank dropped his hand and sat a little straighter in his chair. “I’ve tried to talk to my own kids, but they don’t listen. Nic shrugged me off. I couldn’t even roust Jimmy out of the lab to talk to him and Janey…well, Janey…”
    “Janey what?”
    Mal’s head snapped up, his gaze arrowing toward the sound of her voice.
    The woman in question stood in the doorway, arms crossed over her chest as she stared at Frank with raised eyebrows.
    Jesus, he hadn’t even heard the door open.
    You’re slipping, son.
    “I didn’t know you were going to be in the office today, Dad. Is everything okay?”
    Concern pinched her mouth into a frown and he saw fear in the tight lines of her body. But, if he were Frank, he’d be more than a little worried about the heated look in her eyes.
    But Frank showed no fear. Hell, the man even grinned as he turned to face his daughter.
    “I just stopped by to say hi. Mal and I got to talking and, since the man likes history, I thought maybe you could give him the city tour.”
    Janey’s eyes narrowed as she leveled her gaze at Frank. That look would have broken a lesser man. Mal wondered how long he’d hold up under it. But Frank’s smile remained intact as Janey swung her gaze back to Mal.
    Her bright eyes made his gut clench in reaction. Shit, shit and double shit.
    “I’m sure I could find the time, if you’d like,” she said. “I did a lot of exploring when we moved here.” Then she gave her dad another look, one Mal couldn’t decipher. “Dad, I need to talk to Mal for a sec. If you’re not done, I’ll come back—”
    “No, no.” Frank stuck out one large hand to Mal as he rose. “I just wanted to check in, see how everything’s going. I’ve got some work to do.”
    Standing, Mal took Frank’s hand, respecting the firm shake. Respecting the man. But damn it, what he’d been sent here to do…
    “It was nice to see you again, sir.”
    “Oh, don’t worry,” Frank said. “You’ll be seeing a lot more of me. Just let Janey know if you need anything.”
    Before he left, Frank brushed a quick kiss on Janey’s cheek, then sauntered down the hall.
    Janey turned to watch him walk away. Worry radiated from her in waves and, when she shook her head, that pit in his stomach opened even wider.
    “Janey? You okay?”
    She nodded before turning