. I guess so."
With another quick round of handshakes, John led his search team out of the
room, leaving Mandi and Cade to themselves. Mandi called Alan with an update,
then sighed and sat down at the room's small desk.

Chapter Five

All that could be done was being done. John's people would try to find and
secure all copies of the pictures and warn everyone about dire consequences,
etc..., but Mandi seemed to lack faith that his efforts would be enough.
She'd known and accepted the risk of complete exposure, of course, but she'd
also hoped strongly against it. Another sigh escaped her as Cade put his stuff
back in his backpack and zipped it shut.
Without looking up from the desk, she muttered, "Now we wait to see whether
I'm going to become a TV star tonight. I've got a feeling that my privacy is
about to be shot to hell."
"Not necessarily. Vegas is full of great-looking, leggy blondes. If anyone
says you look like you, just thank them for the compliment and move on."
For a moment Mandi staringly said nothing, then she quietly asked, "How the
hell did you know I live in Vegas?"
"I saw you there," said Cade. "Back in 1996."
Sitting up and turning around to give him an exasperated look, Mandi
replied, "1996? After all these years, you're absolutely sure it was me you
saw?"
"Yeah," Cade said with a shrug. "I am. Mind if I make a suggestion?"
Tossing the pen she'd been fiddling with onto the desk, Mandi almost
shouted, "Oh, sure! Oh, hell, yes! Why not?"
Thumbing at the door, Cade said, "Could be that John's people will square
this away. If not, you might as well enjoy your last few hours of anonymity,
right? I'm just saying, 'business as usual and hope for the best'. And we have
about fifteen minutes to get to that writer's panel."
Mandi almost laughed at his last words, but she realized he was probably
right. What the hell; might as well. She stood up and picked up her purse,
putting her sentiment into words.
"What the hell; we might as well." Pointing at his shoulder holster, she
asked, "Do you really think you need that?"
"I'm on standby. I think John would take it poorly if I had to say, 'Wait
one while I run upstairs and get my gun'."
Nodding with a chuckle, Mandi said, "Yeah, I guess he might, at that."
Cade got the door for her with a gentlemanly flourish and they headed for
the elevator.
"Ed," said Mandi, "Most people are