Withholding Evidence Read Online Free Page A

breath.
    She had a crush on Keith Hatcher? That was…insane.
    Sure, he was hot. But he was also condescending and rude. There was nothing there to like. But she needed to convince her body of that, because she was ready to hyperventilate. And it wasn’t from anger. No. The trigger was pure excited anticipation.
    Surely she anticipated talking to Perry again. Yes. It wasn’t Hatcher who had made her heart rate pick up. No way.
    Perry was deep in conversation with Dr. Hill and another man, so Trina scanned the crowd for someone else to talk to. With the exception of Erica and Todd, who were talking to another MacLeod-Hill Institute bigwig, everyone Trina knew was inside playing pool. She hated standing alone at parties, and her discomfort only intensified at the notion of Keith seeing her out here pitifully alone.
    What the hell was Keith Hatcher doing here? And how did he know Alec Ravissant? Months ago, she’d met Alec at a dinner party at Mara’s house but didn’t know him well.
    She headed for the open bar and requested a glass of red wine. Another man stepped up beside her and ordered a drink, then turned to her as they both waited. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Derrick Vole. I work for Alec Ravissant.”
    Tall and skinny with endearing freckles but not a lot of muscle, he didn’t look like the typical Raptor operative. “For Raptor?” she asked, then flushed, realizing her disbelief was evident in her voice.
    Fortunately, the man chuckled. “No. The senate campaign.”
    She smiled. “Sorry. Trina Sorensen, Naval History and Heritage Command.” She held out her hand, which he took in a firm grip.
    “There are several of you here today. I was just talking to your coworker, Walt Fryer.”
    Trina hid her frown as she accepted her wineglass from the bartender and moved to the side to continue the conversation. Oh goody. Walt’s here. Walt was an old-school historian who didn’t truck with the idea of women being military historians. He’d flipped when Mara was promoted to interim director of the history program less than a year ago, and cried favoritism when Mara pushed for Trina’s security clearance.
    But hypocrisy hadn’t stopped him from dumping his work on her as soon as she’d passed muster. Walt was a piece of work and her least favorite person in the department.
    “I’m in charge of arranging events for Rav.” Derrick cleared his throat. “Excuse me, Alec—”
    Trina smiled at his formality; she knew Alec’s nickname.
    “—and after talking to Walt, I was thinking of arranging a tour at the history museum at the Navy Yard. Maybe round up some old vets and make it a photo op.”
    “That should be easy to arrange. The museum is pretty quiet during the week.”
    Derrick handed her his card. “I’d appreciate your help in setting it up. Maybe next week?”
    “I can try to help, but I’m afraid I don’t work for the museum. I’m an historian.”
    He gave her a look that likely mirrored the one she’d given him when he said he worked for Alec and he didn’t fit her mold for a Raptor operative. Turnabout was fair play, and in this instance, she was just as guilty of making assumptions based on appearance. “Really? I assumed you were an administrative assistant or an intern at the museum. I mean, you’re so young, and Walt said you’re the person to talk to for tours.”
    She rolled her eyes. “That sounds like the Walt I know and love.”
    Cressida appeared by her side. “It looks like Dr. Hill is going to give a handful of NHHC people rides in his sub—maybe even before I return to Tallahassee. Do you want to put your name in for the tour?” she asked.
    Trina suppressed a shudder. “No way. I’d get claustrophobic in a two-person sub.” She did not understand how archaeologists could find joy in all things buried or underwater. She’d take an oral interview or written account to tell her the past any day.
    Derrick exchanged pleasantries with Cressida, then said he’d