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Chapter 12
Maranda
I had my secretary copying a few things for me so I could get into the filing system with out being questioned.
I scanned the large room of filing cabinets for other people then for Brian's name.
When I came across the L's I realized that the entire gray cabinet was devoted to Littrell. I couldn't believe my eyes. I had found all this information, true, but I didn't even remember half this stuff and it all seemed irrelevant.
"Why do they want to know how long he showers?" I suddenly wondered.
It had never crossed my mind before, but now it really seemed weird as to why they wanted to know this.
I had found all this out and for what? To get a big fat check that may not even be from the government?
I pulled out two files that said 'TOP SECRET' posted on a sticker. Confused, I flipped through the pages, but nothing seemed to click.
I didn't take this picture and I didn't tell them that. There were things in these folders that I had vowed never to tell. And I hadn't.
Then my heart stopped and started again. There was a picture of me taking picture of Brian in a large tree. There was another of me inside Brian's house, when he wasn't home, installing my video cameras. And another of Brian that I certainly never even thought of taking.
I quickly closed the filling cabinet and hurried back to my office, files in hand. I left a message not to let anyone disturb me on my secretary's desk and shut my office door behind me.
When I sat behind my desk my hands were trembling. I set the files down and spread out the content.
"They're watching us. They're watching us." Those thoughts kept running through my head as I read ever paper and looked at ever photograph that I'd never developed or written.
My head jerked up when a desperate thought squeezed into my brain. "How long have they been watching me?"
Feeling my nerves go slender I walked over to the mini bar I pored my self a glass of brandy. Rarely did I drink brandy, but now I needed something stronger than beer.
I gulped down the golden liquid and filled the lass again. The alcohol burned her thought as it went down, but it seemed to make her feel less on edge. I took the full glass and walked back to my desk.
Eyes glazed I sipped her glass.
"Are they watching Mom? Are they watching Dad?" My throat caught when I thought further. "Charles?" Though it scared me nothing pierced further than the thought of someone else watching Brian. I never worried before. I always knew he was safe with me, but now I wasn't so sure.
I didn't care much about me. If they tried to kill me or send me to jail I could be strong. I would be able to deal with death or do time as long as I knew Brian was safe.
And my family. I only have my mom and dad. Without them I have no one. What am I supposed to do?
Brian loves, if he loves me at all, Veronica. The one who has parents who were high school sweet hearts. The computer nerd. The one who has a sense of humor.
Not Maranda Hunter. Hunter. That name was once a great spy name. I thought it was fate. Now it's like I'm the hunted instead of the hunter.
I came to the conclusion that I would be doing jail time…at least. I'm involved with this, too. I'm not going to pass the buck and make someone else pay for my mistakes.
I put down my glass and placed the papers back in the right files. I got up, glass in hand and headed back for the file room.
My secretary was back, but typing so she didn't notice my foul disposition of the files in hand.
I push past the heavy door clearly marked File Room Authorized Personnel Only.
She ignored this warning for what now is the second time.
If my secretary, I convinced my self, can go wandering about in here I can, too.
I stuffed the file back in the large gray file cabinet not caring about which order it was in. I cringed after taking another swig of my brandy.
"It's been too long since I've needed a drink of this." I said out loud, starting at the golden liquid in the small glass.
I looked for a filing cabinet with the name Hunter on it. Once I found it I was sure all the color I had left in my face drained to the floor. There was a cabinet twice the size of Brian's with my name Hunter, Maranda posted on it.
I suddenly found that I didn't want to know what they knew about me. I didn't want to know that they, my bosses, my coworkers, I, we were all apart of some conspiracy.
I turned on my heel and started for the door. But I couldn't leave. I didn't want to know about me, but my family was a different story.
I looked over my shoulder. Should I look now? Should I wait to find out more about the company I work for first?
I decided to wait until my nerves were intact before I looked into the file case.
After I was in my office I found my secretary gone, yet again and I also found a note on my desk.
Hunter,
Get your butt into the conference room NOW!
MOVE IT!
I gulped the last of my brandy; not caring about the burning sensation that was still strong in my through. Grabbing my suitcase I headed for the migraine of a lifetime.
Backstreet Boys
"What are we going to do tonight? We certainly aren't going to spend our one day off in a hotel room, are we?" Howie questioned the rest of the guys and Mandy as they lounged around in Kevin's room.
"What do you want to do D?" Nick questioned with no intention of moving from Kevin's bed where he landed after the long flight and tediously unpacking.
"Let's go see a movie." Howie suggested with a dose of pent up energy that the guys wished they had.
"I want to stay in case Veronica calls." Brian stated from his spot in a comfortable armchair.
Nick solely lifted his head as he looked in Brian's direction. "Man you are so hung up on her." Nick laughed and plopped his head back down.
"I am not, but she said she'd try to call and I want to be here if she does."
"I am not." Nick mimicked, only now in a whiny voice. "You sound real mature."
"And you do?" Brian questioned defensively.
Nick sat up on his elbows. "Hey don't bite at me I was joking."
Brian washed his hands over his face. In a calmer tone he spoke again. "Sorry Frack. I'm just grouchy. I want V to call."
"How much do you like her Brian?" Mandy piped up from her spot in Kevin's arms.
"A lot." He had a thoughtful expression. "I don't know how much yet, but I know I want to find out. And soon."
"From the looks of that kiss you two shared you're ready to find out now." Aj said lightly.
Brian smiled. "She's a great kisser." He slipped back into his thoughts.
"Earth to Brian. Earth to Brian. Yo cuz." Kevin laughed.
"What?" Brian arched an eyebrow. "I can't sit and think for a few minutes?"
"Not when you're being spoken to." Kevin retorted.
"Fine, what do you guys want to do? Howie obviously wants to go out." Brian tried to push the subject aside.
"Let's see a movie." Howie searched threw a paper he sent for earlier.
"All
right." They agreed on a movie and headed out for the evening.
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