They were standing in a tiny utility room. There were two empty desks in here and one small window. The carpeting was new. The walls were white with nothing on them. There was a small video camera mounted in one corner, near the ceiling.

It looked like the room had never been used. The command center itself had been open for less than a year.

Trudys big eyes stared at him intently.

Luke sighed. I was giving you an out. I thought you would understand that. If trouble comes down, you can blame it on me. All you did was what I told you to do. You were afraid youd lose your job if you didnt follow my orders.

She took a step closer to him. In the confines of the room, he could smell her shampoo, and the understated cologne she often wore. The combination of scents did something to his knees. He felt them tremble the slightest amount.

You cant even give me a direct order, Luke. You dont work at SRT anymore.

Im on a leave of absence.

She took another small step toward him. Her eyes were focused on him like twin lasers. There was intelligence in those eyes, and heat.

And you left… why? Because of me?

He shook his head. No. I had my reasons. You werent one of them.

The Marshall brothers?

He shrugged. When you kill two men in one night, its a good time to take a pause. Maybe reassess what youre doing.

Are you saying you never had any feelings for me? she asked.

He looked at her, stunned by the question. He had always sensed Trudy flirting with him, and he had never taken the bait. There had been a few times, drunk at cocktail parties, after bad fights with his wife, when he had come close. But thoughts of his wife and son had always pulled him back from the brink of doing something stupid.

Trudy, we work together, he said firmly. And Im married.

She came even closer.

Im not looking for a marriage, Luke, she said softly, leaning in, inches away.

She pushed herself against him now. His arms were at his sides. He felt the heat from her, and that old uncontrollable urge when she was near, the excitement, the energy… the lust. She reached up to lay her hands on his chest, and as soon as her palms touched his shirt, he knew he had to act now or give in to her completely.

With one final act of supreme self-discipline, Luke stepped back and gently pushed her hands away.

Im sorry, Trudy, he said, his voice raspy. I care about you. I really do. But this is not a good idea.

She frowned, but before she could say anything, a heavy fist banged against the wooden door.

Luke? You in there? It was Newsams voice. You should come out and look at this. Swanns got something.