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  “What?” He jumped in his seat.

  Exactly what she didn’t want him to do.

  Emily lowered him back to his seat with her hand. The man saw Mike jump but moved his eyes elsewhere.

  “Let’s not talk about this here.” She lowered her voice. “Tell me something about work.”

  Mike spoke but Emily’s eyes were glued to the mustached man who didn’t look at them again. A minute later, he rose and walked casually outside.

  When Emily couldn’t see him anymore, she looked back at Mike, whose mouth was open wide.

  “You haven’t heard a word I’ve said, have you?” he asked.

  “I’m sorry. That guy freaked me out.”

  He followed Emily’s gaze.

  “He left,” she said.

  Mike sighed. “As I started saying before, I’m worried about you. You shouldn’t go back to your apartment.”

  “Nonsense. They installed a camera next to my apartment. I have the FBI neighbor watching me. He also said an undercover agent will come and go.”

  “Okay.” He nodded slowly. “If you’re sure.”

  “Besides, where else would I go?”

  “You could stay with me.”

  It was her turn to open her mouth wide.

  As Bob watched the footage from the camera in front of Emily’s apartment from a few days back, Stuber entered his office without knocking.

  “She wasn’t lying,” Stuber said and sat across from him.

  “Please knock next time.” Bob raised his eyes from his computer screen. “Who?”

  “Your neighbor.” He waved a piece of paper in his hand. “I got a reply from Google. They sent me the email she thought she saw. She was right.”

  Bob took the paper and read the email.

  “That could count as a threat.”

  “Should we pick her up?”

  “Not yet.” Bob read the email again. “It only says ‘Get rid of her.’ It can also mean fire her.” Bob eyed Stuber. “I also want more evidence on the CEO first. I’ll tighten the security around Emily’s apartment.”

  Stuber seemed like he had something to say, but didn’t speak.

  Bob returned to the footage on his computer as Stuber left. Because of the proximity of their apartments, he could see everyone who came and went from his own apartment as well. He saw himself going out early in the morning. He fast-forwarded to see his wife and daughter leave together to go to kindergarten. He smiled as he saw Madison, who seemed happy to go. He thought she enjoyed going there, but rarely took her there himself.

  She hadn’t wanted to leave his or Lisa’s arms the first few days they dropped her off, and after they’d leave, they could hear her still crying inside.

  It broke his heart each time, even though he knew she needed time to adjust.

  Two hours later in the video footage, he saw his neighbor, Emily, going out to work.

  He forgot how late they started working in high-tech.

  As Emily locked her door, she searched around. When she noticed the camera, she smiled and went out of view.

  Bob fast-forwarded to when his wife and daughter returned. He smiled when he saw them, but also felt an ache in his stomach. He froze the video and zoomed in on his wife.

  She looked as beautiful as she’d been when they first met.

  He didn’t want to divorce her.

  But he knew she was right. He was married to his work.

  Should I quit?

  He considered it every now and then. Every couple of weeks. Every time he missed something Madison did. Every night he didn’t get a chance to be with his wife. Every time his life was in danger.

  Is it too late now? She seems serious. She wants me out.

  Would she reconsider if I quit my job?

  He held his phone and stared at her name on the contact list. It felt like asking a girl out for the first time.

  It took him a long time to text her, Hey. How about dinner tonight?

  He could see she read his message but didn’t respond.

  We can still have dinner together. We’re still married, he thought.

  Technically.

  Stuber stormed into his office without knocking.

  Bob minimized the video.

  “You won’t believe what I found,” Stuber said.

  Bob stared at him.

  “I read in an online interview where Jessica said the Cash guy gave her a million dollars.”

  “So?”

  “I checked their bank records. They only transferred half a million.”

  Bob looked at the paper he’d handed him. “Why do you print everything? Isn’t that what old people do? Can’t you think of the environment?”

  Stuber waved his hand.

  Bob studied the paper. Cash had transferred half a million dollars four years earlier. A year later the investor transferred an additional half a million dollars. He showed it to Stuber.

  “The interview was right after the first half a million was transferred,” Stuber said.

  “Maybe she got it wrong,” Bob said. “Or maybe the CEO knew she was supposed to get more money, and it slipped out before it got wired. It’s customary for investors to give money in chunks after milestones are reached.”

  Stuber threw another piece of paper on his desk. Bob picked it up.

  “A few days after the second transfer, the CEO gave a statement she’d received another half a million. It means she said one and a half million when we can see a transfer of only one million dollars.”

  Bob stared at him.

  “I think Mr. Cash is not called Mr. Cash for nothing.”

  Eight

  Emily spent the day staring at her computer. She didn’t have much work, and she could only think of what Mike had said during lunch.

  “You could stay with me,” he’d said.

  Are we taking our relationship up a notch, or is he worried about me?

  Or both?

  She had stayed with him, but only on a long—a very long—date. He’d never invited her to stay.

  When he passed next to her office, he saw her through the glass and smiled.

  She smiled back and pointed at the phone in his hands.

  He raised his palms.

  She picked up her phone and texted him.

  When he saw the message, he smiled.

  I’d love to accept your offer, she’d texted him.

  Emily left food and water for Romeo, packed a small suitcase, and took the subway to Mike’s apartment. She texted Bob that she’d be out of her apartment that weekend, and Bob thanked her for letting him know.

  Mike greeted her with a warm smile and let her in. There were two champagne glasses on the table.

  After a while, she asked to be excused and went to the bathroom. She returned wearing a new sexy black lace nightgown.

  It had been a long time since she’d worn one of those.

  His jaw dropped. “Is that new?”

  “Yup. Got it today.”

  “For me?”

  “No, for my next-door neighbor.”

  “The FBI agent? He’s not bad looking, but he’s a bit old—”

  “You idiot!” She pushed him to the couch and remained standing. “Even though he needs a new woman.”

  “What do you mean?” He laid on the couch looking up at her.

  “Never mind about that now. I got this as a thank you gift. For you.”

  He grabbed her gently and lowered her to him. She sat on top of him, knees bent, then bent over for a kiss.

  When he took off her nightgown, she said, “What a waste of thirty bucks.”

  “It wasn’t a waste,” he said, examining her body.

  They made love in the living room, then had dinner, then made love again in his bed.

  “You said something about the agent needing a new woman?” He stroked her hair.

  Emily had returned late from work one night and saw Bob’s wife walk past the doorman in a hurry, holding a man’s hand. At first, Emily thought it
was Bob and walked up to say hi, but when she almost caught up to them she noticed it was another man.

  Emily stopped short and hid in the mailroom. She didn’t want to make Lisa feel uncomfortable.

  She considered telling Bob, especially now when he was helping her. She thought she should tell him, but also figured it wasn’t her business.

  Also, it might make him mad.

  “I saw his wife bringing another man home one night.”

  “What?” He pulled back. “Are you sure it wasn’t a handyman or something?”

  “It was late at night and they were holding hands.”

  “Wow.” He touched his mouth. “They did it right in front of you?”

  “No. I came home right behind them. They didn’t notice me.”

  “That’s sad,” he said.

  “It is. Marriage sucks.”

  He drew back. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean it’s hard. People can’t stay together for too long.”

  He looked away.

  She touched his hair.

  “You mean that?” He looked at her. “You don’t want to get married?”

  “I’ll be honest and say I didn’t ever see myself marrying. But if a special man came along—I might change my mind.”

  “Do you think you’ll ever find one?”

  “Hmmm...I don’t know. Do you have someone in mind?”

  He pinched her thigh.

  “Ouch!” She laughed, hit him, then kissed him.

  They planned on going to Central Park or a museum but ended up in Mike’s apartment for the rest of the weekend. They shared their time between his bed and the couch—binge-watching shows on Netflix.

  “I had a great weekend.” She stood over his bed early Monday morning.

  “Indeed.” He pulled her in for a kiss.

  “I need to stop by my apartment.”

  “So early? We don’t need to go to work for another three hours.”

  “Are you ready to go to work together?”

  “You’re right. You go first.”

  “You know, I could stay a little longer, and not go to my apartment.”

  “Where will you leave your suitcase?”

  She looked around. “Here?”

  He smiled and pulled her back to bed.

  “We don’t have enough for a warrant to tap them or search their offices,” Bob said to Stuber in his office.

  “Why the hell not?”

  “All circumstantial. We can’t prove anything.”

  “What about the threat in the email?”

  “Not enough. It could also mean fire her, and that’s still legal.”

  “Damn it!” Stuber hit Bob’s desk. When Bob stared at him, he didn’t even apologize.

  “Calm down,” Bob said. “We’ll keep track of them. They’ll make another mistake soon.”

  Nine

  If you don’t let it go, what happens to him will be your fault, a text from an unknown number appeared on Emily’s phone.

  She sat alone in her office, staring at her phone. Mike had left early for a family matter, and Jessica had left for meetings.

  “What should I do?” Emily said into her empty office. She rose and started pacing. “I should talk to Bob.”

  Her phone dinged again. Another text message, reading: And don’t involve the FBI. We’ll know.

  “What the hell?” she said, but put her hand over her mouth as if to shut herself up.

  She started looking around the office.

  Is someone bugging my office? Are they listening to me?

  There had been a guy in her office, she knew that for sure. He’d erased her email, but had he done anything else? Could he have planted a bug?

  Jessica had access to her office, as did the cleaning guy.

  What do I do?

  She wanted to call Mike, but if someone had bugged her office, it may not be a good idea.

  She sent him a text message. Is everything okay?

  It is, he replied immediately. I miss you. Are you home yet?

  Not yet. Wrapping things up. I’ll talk to you later.

  She stared at a selfie they took together in Las Vegas.

  I can’t lose him.

  I just got him.

  He’s too good for me.

  Do I tell Bob? Or do I handle it myself?

  Bob met Craig in a bar one evening after work.

  They hugged and sat down for a beer.

  “She’s hot,” Craig said, pointing at a woman sitting by herself on the other side of the bar.

  “Do you need a wingman?” Bob laughed.

  “Nah. I never did. But you do.”

  “Me? I’m married. You’re single. Go get her.”

  Craig rubbed his neck. “From what you tell me, not for long.”

  Bob sighed. “I still hope things change. I’m even considering leaving the Bureau for her.”

  “Really?” Craig almost rose.

  “This work ruined my life. Ruined my marriage.”

  “But the Bureau is your life. You won’t be able to live without it.” Craig took a sip from his beer. “That’s why I never got married.”

  “I’ve decided to leave.”

  “Are you serious? Are you sure it’ll help? It may be too late.”

  “If you’re here to cheer me up, you’re not doing a very good job.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m trying to be realistic.” Craig rubbed Bob’s shoulder. “I don’t want you to be left alone and without a job.”

  Craig had a point.

  Should I do the hard thing and quit to prove to her she’s more important? Or should I see if I get her back, then quit?

  They were quiet for a while until Craig asked about Stuber.

  “I hate him. He keeps annoying me. I don’t know what to do about him. I feel like he’s babysitting me.”

  “He probably is, but there’s nothing you can do. You should lay low and let it pass.”

  Bob shook his head.

  Craig knew about Bob’s previous bad encounter. In an earlier case, Bob arrested a suspect who screamed at him he would kill his wife and daughter. Bob had no idea how the suspect knew so much about him and threw him to the ground, grinding his face in the dirt before his partner pulled him off. The FBI suspended Bob for a few days, and after a hearing, they let him go back to work, with a warning. Stuber joined him and made him feel like he’s keeping an eye out on him.

  The man was a frequent resident of the local jail and had been arrested many times before for resisting arrest and threatening violence against officials and their families, so no one cared Bob had hurt him.

  “It shouldn’t have happened, and it will never happen again,” Bob had told his supervisor in the hearing.

  “It’ll pass,” Craig said, interrupting Bob’s thoughts.

  “It’s another reason I want to quit. Work has become almost unbearable.”

  “I know. I’m sorry,” Craig said. “How’s the case you’re working on?”

  “That’s not going so well, either. We can’t get enough for a warrant. And it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.”

  “I hate those cases. I understand it’s your friend?”

  “A neighbor. They scared her, but I’m not sure I can help.”

  “Her?”

  “Oh, enough with that. She’s a young woman. A neighbor. That’s it.”

  “Okay. Sure.” Craig finished his beer and got another one.

  Bob didn’t get another beer. He didn’t like to drink more than one bottle when he had his gun on him. They watched the Yankees play on one of the big screens at the bar.

  Craig had a few beers, so Bob walked him to his apartment, not far from the bar. They hugged goodbye and promised to meet again soon.

  A few days later, Bob watched the footage of his neighbor’s apartment again. He chose to view only when motion was captured on the camera, deciding the technology was good enough, so he could spend less time watching the videos.

  The sound of thun
der startled him.

  He looked back at the screen and saw Emily come and go. She mentioned a new boyfriend from work, but he’d never seen him.

  Maybe they broke up?

  Or was she afraid to bring him to her place?

  He saw himself leave early and return late. He also saw Lisa and Madison come and go a few times.

  The only strange thing he saw was a big man coming late one night, stopping next to Emily’s place, and using his cell phone. The man stood with his back to the camera and seemed suspicious.

  Bingo! We got someone. As soon as he turns, we’ll have a good video.

  But the man didn’t use any kind of disguise, which seemed odd.

  Bob wanted to call Stuber, but after taking a closer look at the man, something about him—his size, his shape, his walk—seemed familiar.

  Too familiar.

  It couldn’t be.

  Could it?

  Bob rubbed his neck.

  What the hell was Craig doing there? Is it possible he had anything to do with Emily? Was he checking on Bob’s case?

  Maybe it wasn’t Craig?

  Or maybe he came to visit me one night, and I didn’t know about it?

  But Craig never showed up at my apartment.

  What the hell?

  Bob looked closer as his apartment door opened. His wife, Lisa, stood there in her nightgown and smiled at the man who appeared to be Craig.

  Bob didn’t understand at first. Or maybe he didn’t want to understand.

  But when she kissed his best friend on his doorstep—Bob’s mouth went dry and his stomach clenched.

  When she let him inside and closed the door while kissing him passionately—Bob picked up the picture of his wife from his desk and flung it across the room, smashing it against the wall.

  Part Three

  End of Watch

  Ten

  Lisa met her best friend Olivia in a coffee shop in Manhattan after dropping off Madison at kindergarten.

  They hugged and discussed their jobs. Lisa did part-time fashion consulting for a retail chain store but hated every minute.