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thought it was going to be. It’s a good thing Chief Garner requested outside personal protection in the meantime.”
    “What do you mean it’s not going to be straightforward?” Keane asked, waiting for the traffic indicator to signify they could use the crosswalk on F Street NW safely. He was used to the wall-to-wall traffic during the commuting hours, especially living in Los Angeles, but that didn’t mean he’d ever grown used to wasting his life in the churning mass of humanity. “This guy must have left some kind of footprint. You’re telling me your cyber analysis group couldn’t find anything on this perp?”
    “That’s exactly what I’m telling you. This guy has talent and used Ms. Ellis’ lack of knowledge of cyber vulnerability to his advantage.” Agent Coulter stepped off the corner and proceeded to walk in the pedestrian zone. The lighted displays appeared brighter now that the sun was setting. Keane had no choice but to follow when all he really wanted was a place to discuss this in private. “I’d like access to Ms. Ellis’ apartment, preferably tonight. We need to do a full sweep for any devices that may have been hidden on the premises without her knowledge.”
    That would explain why Coulter’s intention was to enter the U.S. Attorney Office’s building. All Keane had wanted was to obtain more information on the investigation before meeting with Ashlyn. It was bound to be uncomfortable at first and he didn’t think she’d want an audience. He sure as hell didn’t, but it appeared that’s what he was going to get.
    “I’m sure that won’t be a problem. She’s shown her desire to cooperate thus far,” Keane replied as he ran the facts over through his mind while coming to a conclusion. He needed time to look over the layout of Ashlyn’s office and meet her staff, as well as anyone else she came in contact with on a daily basis. “What about her office and the technology she uses there? Computer? Phone?”
    “One of our agents stopped by Ms. Ellis’ office this morning with one of their best guys and they found jack,” Coulter revealed as he walked up to the double glass entrance of Ashlyn’s building. He stopped just short of pulling the door open and was clearly puzzled by what he was about to say. “Her office computer and desk phone were clear, as far as we can tell with the best IT folks we have. It does sort of make me wonder if this individual feels he doesn’t need to monitor her at work or doesn’t have to use her system to do the surveillance. He sure as hell appears to have the capability without anyone being the wiser.”
    Keane comprehended what Coulter was saying and his assumptions weren’t going to make a lot of people very happy with the implications. No one would envy the position this just put him in and Calvert no doubt knew how this would eventually play out if it was an inside job. Background checks were about to be rerun on every individual working inside the federal prosecutor’s office building in D.C., which would undoubtedly make some employees rather uncomfortable. It might even run amuck of the union officials representing the federal office workers. That had shitstorm written in bold letters all over it.
    “I’ll establish a varied schedule so that Ashlyn isn’t in the same place at predictable times. Maybe we can define some of our potential suspect pool by process of elimination,” Keane proposed, reaching into his jacket for his credentials and presenting himself at the security checkpoint as he bypassed the metal detector. “Give me one minute.”
    Keane broke away from Coulter to speak with one of the security guards on duty, alerting him to the fact that Chief Garner had left specific instructions to permit Keane through with his weapon as he checked in with his proof of clearance, official visit request, U.S. Government contractor’s license number, and a concealed carry permit issued for federal law enforcement contractors. It