Read Online Devil's Gold by Julie Korzenko - Free Book Online Page A

to try my hand at farming. We could grow corn and make little husk dolls.”
    Steve sighed and shrugged his shoulder. “Gee, what fun. You must’ve been my grandmother in a previous life. That’s the only way to explain this thing we’ve got going on.”
    Cassidy patted his cheek, then offered him a light hug. “I wouldn’t trade this relationship for the hottest love affair in the world. I need you just like this.”
    Steve rolled his eyes and shoved her through the door. “You’re a better person than me, Cassidy Lowell. I’d drop you in a second for a steamy, torrid love affair.”
    The humidity of running showers enveloped her, and Cassidy grinned to herself, chuckling at Steve’s last statement. “Yeah, you probably would.” She didn’t know how he did it, but after a few moments in his presence the world brightened to an almost functional level.

    Cassidy hummed a Garth Brooks melody, ignoring the rock in her stomach. The elevator lurched upward in fits and starts. ZEBRA’s office complex needed an entire overhaul. Because it was a multinational government organization, its funds were carefully allocated. Dr. Sharpe placed tremendous pride in their used desks and worn carpet, insisting that the United States wouldn’t appear wasteful or wanton. The athletic center was his only concession.
    She exited the elevator and veered to the left. A quick stop at her office was required before venturing into the lion’s den. The scent of buttered popcorn filled the corridor, making her mouth water. One of the disadvantages of having a spacious corner office was that it sat within ten steps of the break room. Reaching her door, she picked off the Post-it notes left by the department’s administrative assistant. Cassidy scanned them, satisfied that there wasn’t an emergency.
    Turning the doorknob, she moved to enter her office. Her door wouldn’t open past a few inches. Puzzled, she pushed against it. It wasn’t locked. Something was jammed against the inside wall. She pressed once more, then smacked her shoulder and hip against the wooden veneer, putting all her weight against the stupid thing until finally it budged. After squeezing through the narrow gap, Cassidy froze.
    â€œWhat the hell?” She dropped the Post-its and knelt on the floor. A worn canvas travel bag sat before her. Lifting a shaking hand, she trailed her fingers along the familiar fabric. “And where did you come from?” Unzipping the top, Cassidy searched its interior. She sighed in gratitude at the picture of her parents, then kissed the frame and hugged it to her chest. Digging deeper, she discovered all her notes and her laptop.
    How could this be?
She was certain these things were all destroyed by the Kill-and-Go militia. The stench of unwashed clothes hit her dead-on. It smelled like wet towels left in the washing machine for a month. Wrinkling her nose, she quickly zipped the bag back up. “Yuck. That’s ripe.”
    Cassidy’s intercom buzzed, and Drew Sharpe’s voice barked from the receptacle. “My office. Now.”
    â€œAye-aye, Captain.” She huffed and jumped to her feet.
    Reaching behind her, Cassidy snagged a folder off her desk. She flipped open the file and glanced at the preliminary report she’d written. “Let’s go ruin my career.”
    Kicking the bag away from the door, Cassidy left the soothing interior of her office and jogged down the hall to Drew’s.
    â€œCassidy!” Sharpe’s voice boomed from behind double wooden doors.
    She rolled her eyes at his secretary and entered his office. It was three times the size of hers and came complete with antique Persian rugs and a fully stocked minibar. “I’m here. Sorry.” Cassidy approached the imposing executive desk that dominated the entire back wall of windows.
    Drew Sharpe sat behind the shiny mahogany, his stature slight but