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Oblivious, Brenden swiped the card from the printer, slid it into a protective cover hanging from a purple Shadow Harbor Library lanyard, and handed it over.

“Oh, did you have a question?”

Paige pressed her lips together as she stared down at the less-than-flattering photo on her ID before looping the lanyard around her neck. “I was just going to ask if I should remove my glasses.”

“Nope, no need. And I just need your keycard, and I’ll connect it to your ID badge.”

She handed over the keycard, and he tapped around on the keyboard. Her surprised image flashed across the screen again. She narrowed her eyes at the bold white letters highlighted in a red band flashing at the top of the screen. LEVEL EIGHT SECURITY CLEARANCE: APPROVAL NEEDED.

Brenden tapped a few more times before handing the card back. “Okay, looks like you’ve got a security clearance well above my pay grade.” He offered a laugh that ended in a snort. “So, as soon as Ronnie approves the request, your card will be linked to your identity. Now, it’s really important that if you should ever misplace your keycard or lose it or think it’s stolen to report it right away. That way we can disable access and flag any access attempts that follow the report as not you. You know, in case of theft or anything like that, you’ll be in the clear.”

“Theft?” Paige questioned. “Who would steal from the library?”

“You’d be surprised. Anyway, just–“ A beep emanated from Brenden’s workstation. “Ah, you’re all set. Ronnie approved the access. Where was I? Oh, right, just let us know if you ever lose or misplace the card.”

“Right,” Paige said, sliding the keycard back into her tote bag. “I’ll guard it with my life.”

“With level-eight clearance, you may want to hire a bodyguard. That’s the highest clearance level.” He snorted another laugh at his joke as Paige stood and stepped from the cube.

She offered a breathless laugh before she squeezed the handles of her tote. “Well, thanks. I guess I’ll be seeing you around the office!”

“Doubt it,” Brenden said, closing out of the massive picture of Paige and returning to an Excel spreadsheet. “Level eight-ers don’t hang around these halls.”

Paige drew her chin back toward her chest. Her mind flitted through the areas in the library. She hadn’t seen other offices on the top level. She assumed she’d be back in this hall, or in one similar.

“Where will my office be?”

Brenden pointed to the floor. “Downstairs.”

Paige jabbed at her glasses as her eyebrows shot skyward. “There’s a downstairs?”

“Yep,” Brenden answered. “Behind a key-coded door. Have fun!”

He swiveled away from her and returned to clacking on his keyboard.

“Thanks,” Paige murmured, tugging her brows tight.

She wrinkled her nose as she strode from the HR offices and down the starkly lit hall. The warm lighting of the library soon enveloped her. She scanned the space, her gaze floating upward to the tall bookcases and the gallery with more bookcases circling above her.

As Paige stepped into the crisp afternoon air, she turned to stare up at the library where she now worked. Her features pinched, and she glanced down at the ID badge swinging from her neck. She cupped it in her hand and stared at the surprised picture with her name below.

Turner, Paige

CLEARANCE LEVEL: EIGHT

She flicked her eyes back up to the library’s facade. What kind of library had eight security clearances? And how did she get to the top tier after that terrible interview?

CHAPTER 4

Paige winced as she darted up the stairs at lightning speed and popped through the door to her apartment with the piping hot pepperoni pizza.

“Dickens!” she called.

She kicked the door shut behind her, hurried to the kitchen counter, and dumped the pizza box on it. She shook her hands, staring at the reddened tips and groaning.

The gray tabby rubbed against her legs as she studied her burned fingers.

“There you are!” she said, ignoring any remaining discomfort and scooping the cat into her arms.