by DiAnn Mills
Praise for novels by DiAnn Mills
Breach of Trust
“This masterfully crafted suspense novel immediately hooks the reader. . . . A real page-turner.”
Booklist
“Featuring a well-paced plot and an engaging protagonist, Mills’s new series launch is a solid . . . suspense title.”
Library Journal
“A novel jam-packed with twists that will leave readers breathless. A must-read for any avid suspense reader.”
Romantic Times
“An engaging page-turner with intriguing characters facing difficult choices.”
CBA Retailers + Resources
“A fast-paced, character-driven thriller. . . . Readers who enjoy the works of Dee Henderson, especially her O’Malley series, will love Breach of Trust.”
Midwest Book Review
Sworn to Protect
“Readers who like contemporary romantic suspense . . . will enjoy this intriguing page-turner.”
Booklist
“A glimpse into the dangerous world of border patrol makes for an interesting and worthwhile read.”
Romantic Times
“Combines the best aspects of thriller, romance, and inspiration to offer an exciting and satisfying read.”
Associatedcontent.com
Pursuit of Justice
“A character-driven story that is sure to keep you reading long into the night.”
Romantic Times
“Mills packs this third book in the Call of Duty series with an interesting cast of suspects that keeps the reader guessing. Fans of romantic suspense will savor the pursuit of justice.”
CBA Retailers + Resources
“DiAnn Mills scores another home run. . . . Pursuit of Justice is Christian fiction at its best, and Mills has established herself as a suspense novelist of the highest caliber.”
Christianfictionbookreviews.com
“Mills once again pulls her readers into a fast-paced, action-filled suspense story that will keep them enthralled to the very last page.”
Freshfiction.com
“Characters with grit, faith, and stories with real meat on their literary bones . . . that’s what you’ll find in a book by DiAnn Mills.”
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Attracted to Fire
Copyright © 2011 by DiAnn Mills. All rights reserved.
Cover photograph of woman copyright © by Image Source/Getty Images. All rights reserved.
Cover photograph of man copyright © by Matti Hillig/Maxx Images. All rights reserved.
Cover photograph of landscape copyright © by Design Pics/Jupiter. All rights reserved.
Cover photograph of clouds copyright © by Thinkstock/Jupiter. All rights reserved.
Author photo copyright © 2010 by Kelly Hornberger Photography. All rights reserved.
Designed by Jessie McGrath
Edited by Kathryn S. Olson
Published in association with the literary agency of Janet Kobobel Grant, Books & Such, Inc., 5926 Sunhawk Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95409.
This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Mills, DiAnn.
Attracted to fire / DiAnn Mills.
p. cm.
ISBN 978-1-4143-4864-3 (sc)
1. Secret service—United States—Fiction. 2. Teenage girls—Fiction. 3. Children of presidents—United States—Fiction. I. Title.
PS3613.I567A93 2011
813'.6—dc22 2011023618
Dedicated to the courageous men and women of the Secret Service
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to all who made this book possible: Beau Egert, Cass Taylor, Dr. Dennis Hensley, Dr. Eriko Valk, Dr. Richard Mabry, Julie Garmon, Louise Gouge, Marsha Tallman, Mona Hodgson, Stephen Steeves, and Tom Morrisey.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 1
“If he doesn’t muzzle his daughter, he’s going to lose the presidential nomination.”
Special Agent Meghan Connors cringed at the TV anchor’s analysis of Vice President Hall’s campaign, even though the statement rang with validity.
“Although early popularity polls indicated Hall to be a strong contender for the presidential race, his ratings are dropping daily.” The blonde reporting the news gave the camera a tilt of her head. “We are currently waiting for a statement from his office regarding Lindsay Hall’s appearance on The Barry Knight Show last evening, where she stated, ‘My father is a poor excuse for the office of president of the United States.’”
The screen flashed a clip of Lindsay Hall sporting cleavage and lots of leg.
“And she’s our new assignment?” Special Agent Bob Lawson eased back in his chair and stuck his thumbs in his pants pockets. “I’ve heard she swears like a convict. Smacked a couple of agents in the face.”
Meghan kept her opinions in check. She focused on the TV mounted in the corner of the coffee shop, not far from the White House. Thank goodness the shop was empty except for the barista moving to whatever was playing on his iPod.
The news anchor continued her report. “Take a look at Lindsay Hall’s escapade three nights ago.” The screen reverted to footage taken in a local nightclub. Lindsay toasted the camera with a bottle of beer. Clearly inebriated, she sat in a booth enj
oying media attention. The news anchor shook her head with a smile, an obvious display of her political preference. “Many are asking, ‘If Vice President Hall cannot control his daughter, how can he effectively run our country?’”
Ouch. That nailed the situation. Meghan wrapped her fingers around the loop of her coffee cup and walked out onto a patio filled with umbrella tables and chairs. A steady mist filled the afternoon heat with humidity. She needed to focus on her new assignment—and the challenges ahead. Protecting the VP’s daughter was supposed to be a promotion. If she failed, this could mean a permanent stall in her career.
Sensing Bob standing beside her, she turned to give him her views about their situation. “We’re made of better stuff than the agents dismissed from Lindsay’s protection team.”
“I keep telling myself that.”
“They let her manipulate them. Plain and simple.”
“But we’re not babysitters. We’re special agents for the Secret Service.”
Meghan didn’t know the agents who’d been reassigned as a result of Lindsay’s latest antics, but Bob had called them friends. She took a sip of her strong coffee, ignoring the raindrops gaining momentum. “Escorting her to the TV station and not informing the vice president was poor judgment. Her statements severely damaged the VP’s image. Maybe even his chances of securing the party’s nomination.”
“Everything she says and does chips at his ability to lead the country. The Barry Knight Show and that entire TV network are out to crucify him and the party.”
“So we’re back to our assignment.” Meghan stepped under the coffee shop’s canopy to avoid the rain. “I’m committed to protecting her, and I know you are too.”
“I have to be.” Bob set his cup on an empty table. “Taking a bullet for her would qualify as above and beyond.” He pressed his lips. “But that’s what we do, right? Can’t let personal opinions get in the way of duty.”
“Absolutely, and I’m sure there are plans to curb her actions. In fact—” Her phone rang, and she reached inside her shoulder bag. A quick glimpse told her it was her supervisor, Tom Warrington, from the Secret Service office.
“Bob there with you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I need both of you in my office at 1400. Ash Zinders, the SAIC for this assignment, needs to brief you and the other agents assigned to the protectee.”
Meghan slipped her phone back into her shoulder bag and relayed the information.
Bob whistled. “Good old A2Z isn’t wasting any time.”
The nickname for the special agent in charge assigned to Lindsay Hall’s protection detail wasn’t a title any agent would say to his face. He was known for his obsession with detail and his domineering personality. Meghan hadn’t met the agent, and she didn’t look forward to his browbeating.
“It really bothers me that she now has six agents protecting her when any other VP family member has three.” Bob pulled a dollar from his wallet and anchored it beneath his cup. “Did I say I regret accepting this assignment? Hasn’t been two hours since the call.”
“There’s a reason, Bob. We were chosen because the VP needed agents who can get the job done. But I question the number of us too, and what it means.”
The potential to fulfill her dreams, the circumstances surrounding Lindsay Hall’s unpredictable behavior, and the nightmare of working under Ash Zinders had Meghan wondering if the challenges ahead would be worth it.
Ash believed in Vice President Hall, known as the Shield by the Secret Service. He respected his commitment to his country and his devotion to his family. Books had been written about his political views, and one had been on the bestseller list for six months. How could a man of such integrity have a daughter who was a source of embarrassment for the whole country? International media laughed at her irresponsibility, and critics used her for comic relief in their opening monologues. Four years of protecting Lindsay Hall, and the situation had grown worse. Why couldn’t the VP and his wife control their daughter’s behavior? Ship her off to the Peace Corps, Siberia . . . anywhere but in the media’s playground.
Across the desk sat his supervisor, Tom Warrington.
“Ash, I need to brief you on a few changes in protocol prior to meeting with your team.” Warrington shuffled papers in front of him. “They’ll be here in thirty minutes.”
“Changes, sir?”
Warrington drummed his fingers. Not good. “You’ll continue your role as SAIC for Lindsay’s protection team, but the vice president has made a request. After last night’s unfortunate incident on The Barry Knight Show, we’ve decided to bring in a woman agent.”
A woman agent? “Why?”
“Special Agent Meghan Connors has an excellent reputation for getting the job done. And we think she’ll be able to help keep Lindsay out of trouble. Possibly provide some direction with her medical issues.”
“In what way? Our job is to protect her, not help her buy lipstick.”
Warrington lifted a brow. “Connors will be a part of the six-agent team.”
The addition of more agents, including a woman, ground at him. “Why six agents for a VP’s daughter?”
“That will be explained in depth when the VP arrives.”
“Sir, I don’t understand the changes.”
He cleared his throat. “Note that Agent Connors will be assigned to Lindsay seven days a week, 0800 to 1700.”
A woman agent wouldn’t work with the way Ash managed his team. Why was she being assigned his hours?
Warrington handed him three files. “These are the new agents. You’ve worked with Bob Lawson and Rick Norris before.”
“With all due respect, sir, I prefer to work with men.”
Warrington frowned. “The VP is desperate. We need to give her a chance for Lindsay’s sake. For the VP’s sake.”
“I understand, but—”
“You and I go back a long way, and I know why you feel this way. I’d like to think you could get beyond judging every woman agent because of one bad experience. Agent Connors has a stellar record. She’s tough, and she’s dedicated to her job. Do this for the vice president, Ash. She might be the one person who could turn Lindsay around. And that would help the VP and this country.”
“I’ll do my best. However, I’d—”
“Deal with it, and do your job.”
Resentment seeped into Ash’s bones. He had a spotless record, and he’d been reduced to taking care of two women? She might be a dynamic personality, a fine person, but women had no place in the Secret Service.
“The Vice President has located a working ranch in Texas for Lindsay.” He turned his computer to show a satellite image of a large ranch house, a barn, horse stables, and a couple of outbuildings.
“She can’t run there.”
“I agree. It’s about a hundred miles west of Austin. She won’t have access to a phone or computer. Just fresh country air.”
“I’m assuming the VP needs her out of sight.”
“There’s more to the problem. A call was made to the VP about 0300 this morning. A man said he had a bullet with Lindsay’s name on it if she didn’t pay up. He claimed she owed him for meds.”
The situation grieved him. Lindsay had so many opportunities to better herself. Maybe another woman would help. “She’s in deep this time.”
Warrington handed him another file. “Here are the details of the ranch, photos, list of employees. The VP and his wife are deciding on a doctor to treat Lindsay at the ranch.”
“I knew they’d been investigating an alternative method of treatment. I saw the short list of the psychologists and psychiatrists.” Ash studied Warrington’s face—obviously he’d been awake since the threatening call. “So this is crisis intervention in a big way.”
“And the media have to stay out of it.”
“Any leads on the caller?”
“Not yet. Working on it. The transfer will be made in the next couple of days.”
Lindsay did need to be
out of the public’s eye.
“One more thing here. President Claredon is back in the hospital. Looks like VP Hall will be taking on more responsibilities.”
Ash had heard rumors that the cancer had spread. “I’ll do what needs to be done, sir.”
Chapter 2
Meghan googled Lindsay Hall on her BlackBerry, while Bob battled DC traffic in ninety-degree heat and blinding rain. The young woman’s dossier read like a rap sheet. “We can only hope some of this is manufactured. Wish I’d been given her file before this meeting. I detest walking into a face-to-face unprepared.”
“Zinders won’t leave out a thing.”
Maybe she should have googled Ash Zinders instead of Lindsay Hall. The rumors were just as intimidating. “Have you worked with him before?”
“About seven years ago on a counterfeit case. He had a reputation for being a pain in the rear. But I’ll tell you this—he’s one of the best agents out there.”
Meghan’s stomach twisted. She wanted this assignment. It was the next step of her career plan. “I heard he doesn’t like women agents.”
“You can drive that to the bank.”
The first time she’d experienced prejudice against women Secret Service agents was in her first day of training. “Any suggestions?”
“You’ve proved yourself, Meghan. Do your best, and he’ll have no reason to complain. It’s his problem, not yours.”
Right. “Is he married?”
“No.”
Zinders’s views about women agents would make her job miserable. Meghan clenched her fist and noted the missing diamond on her left hand. That relationship had gone sour, and she had to forget him and all he’d once meant to her. Her focus zeroed in on job performance. Nothing else.
“What more did you find out about our protectee?” The square-jawed man whipped his attention to her, then back to the traffic-clogged street.
The windshield wipers swished in time to the questions pounding in her brain. She scrolled through the list of articles. “From what I see, all we’ve heard has been documented. Some with glossy pics. She definitely has issues—and ruining her father’s career is one of them.”
“Drugs and alcohol are major problems. Look at how many times she’s been in and out of rehabs.”
Meghan knew exactly what drugs could do to a person’s mind. She continued to scan the articles. “She’s had several DUIs. An arrest for striking a cop. Cocaine possession—more than once. That’s the CliffsNotes version.”
