The CEO Above My Desk (Mckenzie Shinabery) novel Chapter 215

Chapter 215

Agent Naomi Bennett

By nine thirty the next morning, the storm had finally passed. But somehow the city felt worse today than it had last night.

Like everybody could feel something breaking beneath the surface.

Agent Locke parked the SUV directly across from Evelyn Hargrove’s townhouse while I studied the building quietly through the windshield.

Expensive neighborhood. Old money architecture. Too many security cameras.

Interesting.

Locke adjusted his tie slightly before glancing toward me. “You think she runs?”

“No.” That answer came immediately.

Women like Evelyn Hargrove didn’t run early. They stayed calm. Controlled. Certain.

Until the very last second.

That made them more dangerous.

We stepped out onto the wet sidewalk together before heading toward the townhouse entrance.

Everything about the place screamed political money. Perfect landscaping. Polished brass fixtures. Fresh flowers near the entryway despite the

storm.

Interesting priorities.

I knocked firmly against the dark wooden door once.

Then waited. It only took about ten seconds before the door opened.

And there she was.

Evelyn Hargrove looked immaculate. Of course she did. Cream colored silk blouse. Perfect makeup. Hair styled flawlessly despite the weather

outside.

Not a single visible crack in her composure.

It irritated me immediately.

But what caught my attention first wasn’t her appearance.

It was the fact she didn’t look surprised to see us.

10:00 am

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Chapter 215

Not even slightly.

Her lips curved into a soft practiced smile instead. “Well,” she said calmly. “The FBI. I was wondering how long that would take.”

Beside me, Locke stayed perfectly neutral.

But I caught the tiny shift in his jaw.

She expected us. Which meant one thing. Someone tipped her off.

Hargrove stepped aside casually. “Please. Come in.”

The townhouse interior looked exactly like I expected. Elegant. Expensive. Calculated.

Everything placed perfectly. Nothing personal enough to reveal anything meaningful.

I stepped farther inside slowly while scanning the room automatically.

And then… Movement near the kitchen doorway. A man stepped into view carrying two coffee mugs.

One black. One cream.

Wearing a dark gray robe.

I stopped walking immediately.

Interesting.

Very fucking interesting.

Because I recognized him instantly.

Asher West. The mayor’s attorney.

I’d seen him standing beside the Mayor during at least six public press conferences over the past year. City contracts. Legal disputes.

Development hearings.

And now suddenly… He was standing barefoot inside Evelyn Hargrove’s townhouse bringing her coffee like this was completely normal.

Oh,

Oh that was bad.

Beside me, Locke noticed too. I could feel it instantly from the subtle tension shift beside me.

But professionally? Neither of us reacted outwardly. Years of training existed for moments exactly like this.

Asher paused slightly after seeing us. Only slightly. Then immediately recovered.

10:00 am Pppp.

Chapter 215

“Hargrove,” he said smoothly while handing her one of the mugs. “You didn’t mention federal visitors.”

The familiarity in his tone practically screamed at me now that I was listening for it.

Hargrove accepted the coffee easily. Comfortably. Like this happened often.

“Asher West,” Locke greeted calmly.

Asher’s eyes shifted toward him immediately. Recognition. Calculation.

Lawyer mode activating.

“Agent…” Asher said smoothly.

“Locke.”

“Right.” Asher offered a polite smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Can I ask why the FBI is questioning Councilwoman Hargrove without notifying legal representation first?”

There it was. Not surprise. Control. Narrative management.

2

I stepped forward slightly before answering calmly. “She hasn’t been charged with anything at this time.”

“At this time,” Asher repeated carefully.

Hargrove said nothing.

Just quietly sipped her coffee while watching both of us over the rim of the mug.

Too calm.

Way too calm.

“Asher,” she said softly without looking away from

me,

“would you

mind?”

That one sentence told me everything I needed to know.

Not Mr. West. Not Counselor. Asher. Personal.

Asher stepped slightly closer toward her automatically. Protective positioning.

Oh you have got to be kidding me.

“I’d still advise caution,” he said carefully.

10:01 am PPPP

The CEO Above My Desk