by DiAnn Mills
“What do you think?” she said.
“Digesting it.” He paused, focusing on the document. “Ethan believed Kinsley was simply power hungry, and that’s what Joe and I concluded. On the other hand, Ethan didn’t trust Haden and followed him to the airport on three separate occasions to learn he was on his way to New York City. Upon each return, he presented Ethan with an argument to replace you with Kinsley, which wouldn’t happen because of Congress’s request to have you lead the project development team.”
“Unless I was discredited. I worked overtime to ensure Nehemiah could not be compromised easily. Something else I need to tell you: Save thinks he’s nearly there in accessing the software. Like I said before, we’re okay unless he figures out what I’ve done.”
“That’s a point for our side.” Grayson hated battling time. “Why would Ethan not have documented his latest findings?”
She shook her head. “Whatever he learned caused him to book an earlier flight home.”
“Any chance he could have placed the information in another file?”
“This one was obviously meant for me to find, but I’ll keep looking. What are you thinking?” she said. “Or should I ask, what have you learned?”
“We have photos and a witness that put Haden with Murford, Breckon, and Dancer on more than one occasion.”
“What about the Hispanic man in custody?”
Grayson captured her attention. “He claims to have been a hired gun for Murford.”
Taryn’s eyes widened. “Is Kinsley in danger?”
“We’ve warned her.”
“Good. What about Haden?”
“Unable to locate him. According to Gated Labs’s security information, he entered his office after midnight and left twenty minutes later. Hasn’t phoned in. We have a nationwide BOLO.”
Taryn studied him. “Are you thinking Kinsley might have warned him?”
“Strong possibility.”
“Poor Kinsley. She really cared for him, and I understand doing whatever we can for those we love. She and I finally have something in common—choosing men who use us.” She tossed her sea-green gaze his way. “Can I call her?”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea. She could still be involved. Harboring him.”
“All right. I’ve pushed my limit on calls today.” She leaned back against the sofa. “What a mess. Now I understand Haden’s role at the party where I met Murford. But I don’t think Murford was the mastermind, especially since he’s dead. So who’s behind this?”
“The billion-dollar question. Did you make any headway on the hacking job?”
She frowned. “Save is being pressured. I worked another angle while trying to shut him down, but he has his own firewall.”
“How close is he?”
“I have a false entrance that appears to be the real thing. It looks good until several steps into the program. Then a virus hoses his computer. But what if I’m wrong? What if he discovers what I’ve done before the FBI can make arrests?”
“I’ve been praying for those very arrests.” Grayson texted a message. “I want to let the SSA know there’s a false front on the software that buys us time if the bad guys get confident.”
“What are the agents doing about the link to New York?” She sighed. “Of course you can’t tell me. I just want to know it all.”
He could identify with her anxiety. “Do you recall anyone from New York visiting Gated Labs?”
“People were in and out of the office all the time, and many I never saw. What did Brad Patterson say?”
“The same. Nothing he could flag.”
“I’m beginning to feel sorry for Patterson. His empire is going to crumble if the situation is not rectified soon.”
“A team of agents met with them this morning. He was a little more cooperative. Planned to have a talk with his niece.”
“And?”
He chuckled. “You should have been a lawyer. She identified those in the photographs but claims to know little else. When the question of working with Haden to secure your position was raised, she said it was all his idea.”
“So will she go into protective custody?”
“She hasn’t been threatened. At this point, she’s a possible witness.”
“I hope she’s careful.”
One more reason why he admired Taryn. She still cared about Kinsley even though the woman wanted her job.
She reached for a flash drive on the end table beside her. “I copied Ethan’s files.”
“Thanks.” He planned to show them to the SSA before Patterson learned about it.
“Grayson, I know thousands of people are working the case, but it seems like the web is growing instead of getting smaller.”
“That’s not unusual. In an investigation, every angle has to be explored. Sometimes clues and indications of guilt or involvement bring us to a wall, and we have to backtrack. The FBI must honor each person’s civil rights, and search warrants or arrests can’t be issued unless we have evidence supporting probable cause.”
“I guess I thought you were above the law with national security at risk.”
“We’re simply government employees who—” His BlackBerry got his attention. “The house on the southwest side that presumably our bad guys were using? It’s been stripped. All we can hope for are fingerprints or DNA.”
“Murford’s team is accounted for.” Her eyes darkened. “Who’s left but the unidentified person in New York?”
CHAPTER 47
2:00 P.M. THURSDAY
Haden Rollins sits across from me in the dining room of the hotel. He’s such a pretty boy, and knows it, but he’s also clever. One of the reasons I hired him. In the past, he’s done his job, and I deposited money for him into his Tokyo account.
“It’s only a matter of time until you’re picked up,” I say. “Running scared and leaving Gated Labs wasn’t one of your better decisions.”
His jaw tightens. “When Kinsley called, I figured my days were numbered.”
“You panicked, cupcake, and now you’ll pay for it.”
He takes a drink of his dry martini. “I’m leaving the country when we’re finished and then taking a flight overseas.”
“Where?” I assume he’s driving to Mexico.
He gives me his dimpled grin and leans back in an Italian suit my money paid for. “I’ll call you.”
“So you think you’re pulling out?”
“I did my job, and now I’m wanted for questioning.”
I pat his knee like he’s six. “Your job is finished when I say so. At the press of a key, you’re implicated in stealing top-secret files from Gated Labs.”
He sends a cold smile my way. “You’re delusional and not above the law. You think I won’t give the FBI names? And if I don’t, Special Agent Vince Bradshaw will.” He smirks. “Yes, I found out Murford hired him. Told me all about it one night when he was drunk. Said you’d done backgrounds on all the agents. Exploding the LNG lines might get sticky, and you needed inside help. You gave him the name of an agent who was in a financial mess. Bingo! Special Agent Vince Bradshaw needed money and didn’t mind giving inside information.”
“You’re an idiot. My name’s not connected with his.”
“Still, I’ve documented everything and given it to my attorney . . . in case of an emergency.”
I take a sip of my Scotch. Self-confidence is why Murford lies on a cold slab. “The reason you’re on my payroll is because I’m smarter than you and know how to cover my tracks.”
“I’d be a fool to stay in Houston.”
“I agree with the fool part. Stay outside the city in a cheap hotel until you find Murford’s girlfriend and the Levin kid.”
“You should have found them before you killed Murford.”
“Call it an act of passion. I want them dead.”
“I don’t do murder.”
I lean across the table and allow the cut of my blouse to entice him. He’s never seen me without the w
ig and dark contacts. Not that I would ever let him crawl into my bed. “You do what I say until I end it.”
Rollins stares out the window, then back at me. “I have a few ideas where they’re hiding out.”
“What’s keeping you?”
He scowls, then gestures for the waiter.
“I’ll take care of this,” I say. “I want the disposal done before tomorrow morning.”
“Things aren’t always easy.”
“But I have another job for you that’s equally important. Taryn Young needs to be eliminated. I don’t care how, but make it slow and painful.”
He pales, and I see the scared little boy in him.
“Then Kinsley Stevens. In that order.”
He stands, and I feel hatred bursting through his cells. I’ll need to make sure he’s out of the way soon.
I watch Rollins leave. In the lobby, two men in suits approach him, and I make my exit. He knows better than to implicate me, especially since he believes I had Murford killed. He’ll be detained a few hours, but Rollins knows how to play the game. Guilt by association only holds when a crime is being committed. I know about his girlfriend’s photos. Rollins should have been more on top of her business.
The nasty task of killing my nemesis needs to be over. One of my hackers secured the camera footage for his entrance into Texas. He’s here, just as I thought. My heart speeds, and the adrenaline rush that hits me each day when Wall Street opens surges through my veins.
I am a very rich and powerful woman.
CHAPTER 48
2:50 P.M. THURSDAY
Taryn’s mental exhaustion plus her depletion of energy equaled depression, and she struggled to fight it. Her hopes had been built on the contents of Ethan’s encrypted file, but it only confirmed what had already been uncovered. Grayson sat beside her inhaling his burger. The smell of beef and grease churned her stomach. Or was it the impact of everything since the bombing?
Be logical. Work through this. Later you can process the tragedies and grief.
“Before I went to bed last night, I made a few notes,” she said. “Let me see if there’s a name or an event you can use.” She walked into the bedroom and spotted the notepad on the nightstand. A quick inspection told her it had no value. She opened the drapes and welcomed the afternoon sunshine. The gesture made her feel better. A glimpse outside urged her to see what the rest of the world was doing. Beautiful day—sun-kissed, as her mother would say.
The senior citizens at the pool captured her attention. From the looks on their faces, flirting didn’t limit itself to the young. A much-younger woman entered the scene with a huge container of empty plastic gallon milk containers. They must all be gathered for water aerobics. Her despairing thoughts fled to what she viewed below. She laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks. “I don’t believe this.”
“What?” Grayson said.
She hadn’t sensed him enter the room. “Take a look at this guy. He must weigh over 280 and he’s in a Speedo.”
Grayson stood behind her, so close she could feel his breath on her neck. His laughter soon rang through the small room. “The guy’s a lady-killer. See that smile he gave the blonde?”
Mr. Speedo bent to his knees and assisted the young woman as she unloaded the plastic jugs. “A real Don Juan. Does he have any clue what he looks like?”
“Probably sees himself from thirty years ago.”
“Fifty.” She relaxed against him, not thinking, only enjoying a moment without stress. Her anger from this morning dissipated.
“When did this happen?” he whispered.
Her heart hammered. “Maybe when he moved into the complex and saw available women. Wanted to recapture his youth.”
Grayson turned her to face him and lifted her chin. “When this is over, I want us to talk. You have little reason to trust me, and after what you’ve been through, I get it. But I’m not Murford, and I want the opportunity to show you I can be a friend . . . and more.”
She didn’t know what to say or how to protest. Her feelings skyrocketed when she was near him. One minute she felt guilty and fearful, and the next she longed for all Grayson represented.
“I’d like nothing better than to kiss you right now, but I’ll wait until you tell me the time is right.”
She nodded. Would her bruised heart ever allow her to love again?
3:15 P.M. THURSDAY
Taryn popped two extra-strength Tylenol and reached for her water bottle. Clint and Patti were in separate rooms watching out the windows. Would this ever be over? She patted Buddy’s huge head resting on her knee. She appreciated his even temperament, and he seemed to sense those around her were honest people.
“Thank You,” she whispered as she smiled into the dog’s dark-brown eyes. Joe had promised to check on Bentley at the kennel. Once she found a new home and hopefully Buddy was hers, the two dogs would be like David and Goliath, but a kindly Goliath. Claire loved animals. So did Zoey.
Grayson’s words in the bedroom lingered in her mind. This time last week, she was wildly crazy about Shep. He’d penetrated her one huge weakness—the need to be loved by a man who respected and valued her. The self-imposed wall around her heart had been breached. She needed to forgive herself for being duped by Murford and move forward with the past behind her.
Grayson stood for all those things good and right in life. But would she ever feel clean again for allowing herself to be preyed upon by an evil man? Thank goodness the decision didn’t need to be made today.
Claire . . . Thinking about her friend brought a wave of emotion and a surge of prayers to keep her daughter safe. She wanted to tell Mom about Claire’s death, but not until the case was solved. Zoey must be alive, and Taryn refused to give up until she was found. When Murford had showed her a video of the little girl, she looked fine. But at three years old, Zoey could be impatient and prone to tears. How much patience would her captor have?
Zoey, please be a good girl.
Taryn focused on the computer screen. Save claimed to have moved closer to obtaining access. She’d directed him toward the virus and hoped he fell for it. His unscrupulous activities in the past demonstrated his zeal for money and not the law. She didn’t want to speculate on what the bad guys had in mind. Because she had a good idea . . . and more lives were at stake.
A knock at the door snatched Clint’s and Patti’s attention. Taryn grabbed her laptop and urged Buddy to follow her into the bedroom. The sound of casual voices relaxed her. A doctor provided by the FBI was scheduled to remove her stitches at three thirty, and she’d arrived—a tiny Asian woman who looked like a model.
Taryn sat at the kitchen table while the doctor removed the bandage and sterilized the wounded area before clipping and tweezing the stitches.
“Healing nicely,” the doctor said. “And since it’s along the hairline, not much of a scar. I suggest a scar cream, one you can get at Walgreens or CVS.”
“I’m sure Grayson would pick it up for you,” Patti said with a grin.
Taryn wasn’t going there. “Or Joe.”
Once the doctor finished, she pulled a folded piece of paper from her purse and handed it to Clint. “Not sure what it means, but the guard at the complex’s entrance gave this to me. Said it was for Taryn Young from a friend. When he told the woman who delivered it that he didn’t have a resident by that name, the woman gave him the building and apartment number.” The doctor frowned. “I was told no one knew she was here.”
“You’re right. I doubt this is from another agent.” Clint took the paper and turned to Patti. “Better call this in. I don’t have a good feeling about it. They’ll want to view the security camera footage and send backup.”
Taryn pointed to it. “What does it say?” Every time she allowed herself to feel safe, another bomb exploded.
Clint opened the plain sheet of folded paper. Peeking over his shoulder, she saw the message was typed in large font and bolded.
Taryn, wherever you go, we’ll find you.
Make this easy so Zoey stays alive.
We’re willing to make an exchange now. Know this: once we have confirmed access, you and Zoey are no longer assets. We suggest you act quickly. You’ll be contacted soon.
She swallowed the acid rising from her stomach. Whoever was responsible seemed to know her every move, which meant Clint and Patti could be hurt. She glanced at the door, the thought of walking away pressing against her heart. “Why haven’t they burst through to get me?” she said.
“Risky,” Clint said. “We have agents stationed all around. HPD has their officers watching too.”
Tears pooled in her eyes. What good did she contribute to the world if she could not risk all to save a child?
CHAPTER 49
3:45 P.M. THURSDAY
Grayson received the message about the need to move Taryn one more time. He was in the mood to handcuff her to a chair at the office. Were eyes watching all those entering and exiting the FBI?
“Got to pick up Taryn,” he said to Joe. “They know where she’s at. Left a note with the guard at the front of the retirement complex.”
“What did it say?”
Grayson relayed every word while they walked to the elevator. “I’m afraid she’ll try to make the swap for Zoey. Both of them would end up dead.”
“We could wire her again, and you know she’d agree.”
“When it comes to Zoey, she tosses caution to the wind. Taryn is desperate to save her.”