A dozen steps across the plush carpet and she entered the well-appointed bedroom with its enormous bed piled with lush bedding. Vandiver’s luggage stood near the walk-in closet, untouched as of yet. The luxurious bed, flanked by wide tables and proud lamps, and a distinctive highboy-style chest of drawers lined the walls not adorned with exquisite art or imposing windows. Two lush chairs, separated by another gleaming ornate table, stood in front of a floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall window framing a gorgeous view of the miles of bold, brash architecture and exotic lights that set Sin City apart from any other.
The second phone, on the table to the left of the bed, was the next target. Her fingers moved deftly as she installed the tiny device. The third phone was in the en suite bathroom. Yards and yards of sleek marble and state-of-the-art fixtures cloaked the room. Thick white towels hung on warming racks.
A few seconds more and her work was done.
Nora made her way back to the sitting room and paused long enough to sync her cell phone with those in the room by putting a call through directly to the room. She slid the phone back into her crowded clutch purse and headed for the door.
Tallant would be wondering where she’d gotten off to. She was supposed to be hanging out in the bar, watching Vandiver.
Her accomplishment here would do a hell of a lot more good than watching the guy sip Scotch and nibble at finger foods.
She had no intention of spending any more time than absolutely necessary on this assignment with Tallant. The sooner she was back in Chicago, the happier she would be. Her rotation with him would be over and her next assignment would be with someone else.
Anyone else would be fine by her.
The shadow of his tall frame flitted across her mind’s eye. She shook off the distant yearning that accompanied the image.
No man had ever gotten to her in such an annoying manner. The vague idea that she was deeply entrenched in denial frustrated her all the more.
She didn’t like him. End of story.
At the entry door she reached for the handle; the distinct hum of the electronic lock stopped her dead in her tracks.
An even more distinct click warned that someone was about to enter the room.
She flattened against the wall just in time for the door to open. It stopped mere centimeters from her nose. Nora held her breath.
“Yes, I’m aware of the consequences.”
Vandiver strode across the room, his cell phone pressed against his ear in one hand, the other working his tie loose from his throat.
Nora remained stone still, her lungs bursting to draw in more air, as he wandered left toward the bedroom, still struggling with the knot in his tie and speaking firmly to the person on the other end of the line.
“That’s out of the question,” Vandiver snapped as he disappeared into the bedroom.
Nora dared to breathe.
She had to get out of here before he came back into the sitting room.
Tallant would kill her if she got caught.
Holding her breath once more, she reached toward the door handle.
The spray of water in the bathroom stalled her escape once more.
Vandiver was preparing to take a shower.
That could work to her benefit in a very big way. If he’d left his cell phone in the bedroom … she could add a device to it, as well.
What a break that would be ….
Tallant’s voice rang in her ears. Don’t make a single move without my approval.
Okay, so maybe he had warned her not to formulate her own strategy.
Nora blinked. She’d certainly already barged past that line in the sand.
What was one more infraction?
Especially if it served to resolve this case.
The move was a risk, no doubt.
If she was caught, she would simply have to wing it. She’d done it before. Would likely do it again.
Go for it.
She slipped off her stilettos and left them at the door. Her steps silent on the thick carpet, she moved quickly toward the bedroom. As she drew nearer, the water sounds grew louder.
Vandiver started to sing.
Not well and certainly not in tune, but providentially loudly.
Three steps into the room and she hesitated. The door to the bathroom was open.
A couple of her favorite curse words flitted through her mind.
Along with a pair of black trousers, a white shirt and a red power tie, the cell phone lay on the bed, as if he’d tossed it there … as if he had nothing at all to worry about.
Adrenaline moved through her veins. Nothing but Nora Friedman. A smile tilted her lips.
Seven feet stood between her and the phone. She glanced at the bathroom door. The glass-enclosed shower had fogged with the billowing steam.
She could do it.
Piece of cake.
Feet wide apart, she braced for the move.
Her purse vibrated. Her fingers clenched around it as if that would somehow stop the insistent tremor.
Her muscles tightened.
Tallant was checking up on her.
Another glance toward the bathroom.
Just do it.
Three long, soundless strides put her at the foot of the bed. She snatched up the phone and backed up, taking the same number of steps.
The off-key melody wafting from the bathroom assured her that Vandiver remained occupied, allowing her to focus on removing the back from the phone. She dug through her clutch for the tiny device required to do the job. With the purse under her arm once more, she installed the electronic splitter in the phone.
Oxygen didn’t fill her lungs again until the back was on the phone and she prepared to toss it onto the bed.
It rang.
Her eyes widened and her heart practically stopped as the phone’s raging tune blasted a second time.
Heated oaths resonated from the bathroom.
Move!
Nora tossed the cell phone onto the bed just as it erupted into musical notes again. Without a glance in the direction of the shower, she dashed back to the entry door and snatched up her waiting shoes.
“Yeah.”
Vandiver’s voice. He was out of the shower and on the phone.
If he heard the click of the door latch disengaging …
His voice grew muffled.
He’d walked back into the bathroom.
Her knees wobbled just a little with relief.
She held her breath, wrapped her fingers around the door handle and pushed downward.
The click of the lock disengaging echoed like an explosion in the air.
Nora slipped into the corridor, slowly let the door close and the lock reengage. With a liberating sigh, she backed up a step.
Clear. She’d accomplished her