5:52 p.m. Passion Ministry

This was Virginia’s only chance. For two days, she had tried to be alone in Brendan’s office, but he hardly ever left. When he did, he shooed her out. Locked the door and pocketed the key.

He was backstage now, arguing with the sound man. She made her move. Ignoring the pounding in her elbow, injured from taking down George Dagg, she threw her arms round Brendan’s chest.

He turned in mid-sentence. The sound man split.

“Fabulous show.” Flashed a dazzling smile as she slipped her hands into the pockets of his baggy jeans. In an instant she found the keys. Brendan was too high to feel her slide them out.

“Yeah, I’m a friggin’ genius. But I’m busy.”

“No problem.” She dropped her arms. “Later.”

In seconds, she was out of the auditorium. Sprinting. Raindrops splattered her neck as she tried keys in a side door. Finally, the lock opened.

The hallway was dim and deserted, except for one security guard who napped in his chair. Creeping past his door, she rushed down a dim corridor.

Hands fumbled. The key chain slipped. Clattered to the floor. Footsteps jump-started her heart. Alarmed, she jammed each key into the hole until the knob twisted.

In a flash, she was inside. Door closed. Locked. And hugging the wall, waiting.

“Anybody here?” a man’s voice called. The footsteps grew louder. Virginia dared not breathe. Light slipped under the door, the knob turned but stopped halfway. The footfalls receded. Virginia inhaled.

Groping about the underside of Brendan’s desk, she scratched at the tape. Something small dropped to the floor. Come on, Gina. Come ON!

In a sudden panic, she ripped frantically. Her electronic hoard tumbled into her open hand, some batteries rolled onto the floor.

Her ears pricked.

Noise.

She snatched the pieces by feel. Shoved them into her bag then shimmied back. Attempted to stand. Smack! A stifled shriek escaped her lips.

She flopped against the wall, truly seeing stars. Gingerly felt the wound. Always were a hard-headed broad.

Shakily found her feet. Paused to listen at the door, then ducked into the hallway. She had to return the keys before Brendan noticed them missing.