Meet Me at Midnight. Jessica Andersen

was also a Secret Service agent sworn to protect the vice president. Just how far would he go to follow that oath?

      Close the door, said the logical, practical self she’d worked so hard to cultivate, even as the rebellious, frustrated part of her said, Go with him, he needs your help.

      A sinking pit opened up in the bottom of her stomach as she made the decision. “Okay. I’ll go.”

      “Thank you.” She could feel him shift toward her, as though he was going to touch her, then he hesitated and drew away. “We’re going to need to move fast and keep out of sight,” he warned. “Curfew started at dusk, and I don’t want to attract any more attention than necessary. Stay close to me and be ready to move if I say to.”

      Again his words held an undercurrent that made her long to see his face, so she could tell what was real and what was a lie.

      She thought about changing her mind. Instead she grabbed her cane, stepped outside and closed and locked the door to her ransacked apartment. “Let’s go.” When he moved to take her hand, she shook him off. “I’m fine.”

      It wasn’t until he’d stumbled for the third time that she realized his flashlight batteries must be dying or already dead. Without a word she reached over, took his hand and led him into the darkness.