de, after all, and even more so because he was very likely to get laid
tonight.
She changed course toward the desk, took her uniform out of her purse, and
put it on, then slipped her NIA-issue cell phone and the keycard into her right
boot-top and let herself out of the room.
Flashing down the hall to the stairwell, she flew to the roof and used the
keycard to block the door lock while she fetched the flattened can from where
she'd dropped it earlier.
Swapping the can for the card, she tucked the card back into her boot and
launched skyward. If anything came up, John could reach her on the cell and she
wasn't about to sit in that room all night.

Chapter Twenty

The hotel restaurant was closed when Beth and Cade arrived in the lobby, but
the bar and lounge area was still open. Their menu at that hour was rather
unimpressive, and Cade politely said so.
"Well, sir," said the lone waiter, "There are still a few places open on
Peachtree Street," and he named three.
Cade thanked him and he and Beth headed for the doors. As they passed the
big glass windows by the luggage check-in desk, Cade very deliberately allowed
Beth to see his reflection eyeing her reflection's rump and legs.
Pretending to have been caught in the act, he said, "Sorry. I wasn't kidding
about your legs, you know."
Beth gave him an aloof, arched-eyebrow look, but she said nothing and worked
hard to conceal a grin as they continued out the doors to the street.
At the same bar and grill where he'd shot pool with Mandi, they ordered
burger baskets and beer. Beth was more than a little surprised when he ordered
two baskets with extra fries.
"Wow," she said, "And I thought I was hungry."
"I was going to order three, but I didn't want you to think I was some kind
of a pig."
She thought he was joking, of course. Their conversation ranged over the
events of the previous two days, then she asked questions about Mandi, none of
which he could answer.
With some incredulity, Beth said, "For someone who's bunking with her you
don't know a helluva lot about her."
"Nope. Guess not."
"What do you know about her?"
"Not much. Haven't needed to. Besides, she's just crashing with me to avoid
being pestered. I'd rather know about you, Beth. How'd you get into this
business?"
Shrugging, Beth said, "I was a Delaware cop who never got out of the office.
I was bored shitless and going n