Page 86 of Critical Alliance (Rocky Mountain Courage 3)

But hearing the sincerity in his voice made her wonder how he could choose her over his career when he hardly even knew her. Mackenzie didn’t want to be responsible for destroying anyone’s life or future, like she’d almost done her own.

“So how do we get in? Security isn’t going to let us walk in without a good reason, especially since it’s past ten o’clock.”

“It’s been a rough day, so it’s reasonable that I might need to get into my locker tonight since I left my iPad behind.” The iPad was proving useful in brand-new ways. “Besides, it’s night security. Probably Tilden. He’s more likely to trust us and let you come with me this time on protective duty.”

“You hope.”

Yes, she did.

They scrambled out of the car, and she bounded toward the glass doors to peer inside. They were locked. Tilden approached, looking surprised, but unlocked the door.

He opened it but also blocked their path. “Miss Calhoun, is everything alright?”

She allowed the grief she truly felt to show on her face. “I left some stuff in my locker that I need.”

“And you couldn’t wait until morning?”

“Come on, man,” Alex said. “It’s been a difficult day.”

Tilden nodded. “I didn’t mean to give you a hard time. We’re all shocked about what happened. I’m glad you weren’t hurt too.” His gaze moved to Alex. “Good to see you again.”

“I didn’t want her coming here alone.”

“Good thinking. Seems like too many strange things are happening around here lately.”

Mackenzie wanted to ask him more, but she wouldn’t push. Maybe after she looked at the lower level and got into the servers down below, she would ask Tilden what he’d seen.

He opened the door wider to allow them in. “Please drop your cell phones in the security box. I’ll log that you left them but won’t lock them away since you’ll only be a minute.”

Mackenzie lifted her empty hands, though her bag was on her shoulder. “I left mine in the car.”

“Mine too.” Alex held up his palms.

Nodding, Tilden gestured for them to continue forward, and he radioed to the other security guard that Alex and Mackenzie were headed to the lockers.

Once inside the foyer, Mackenzie realized her sneakers were squeaking. Alex’s shoes made no sound at all. Figured.

“I’ll be here at the desk if you need anything,” he called. “Danny’s checking the perimeter.”

“We’ll be fine,” Alex said.

“Oh.” Mackenzie whirled around. “I don’t have my keycard for the elevator.” Or the stairwell.

Tilden frowned slightly, and she held her breath and headed back to him. Mackenzie shrugged. “I’m not thinking clearly today.”

He unlocked a box and then handed one over. “I’ll need it back when you’re done, but that’ll take you where you need to go. I’m glad you’re willing to use the elevators after your experience. I’m so sorry about that.”

“They seem to be running fine now. Thanks, Tilden.”

She took the keycard from him, then she and Alex headed to the elevators. She glanced over her shoulder, and she couldn’t see Tilden. Good. She passed the elevators.

“You forgot your keycard?”

“Yes, actually. I dumped my purse looking for the card to scan the QR code, and I left it on the table. We were rushing out to the memorial, remember?” She hadn’t thought she’d be coming here. But the advantage was that the keycard from Tilden, with its black matte finish, looked different from hers and might be a master keycard with more permissions—one he didn’t often hand out.

“The security guard trusts you,” Alex whispered. “Does he know your true identity?”

“Yes.”