Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 36987 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36987 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Silence again, which I didn’t hate.
“Toby is packing a bag for him and one for Dennis,” I told Thomasin. “You and Brad need to pack a bag each too. Imagine being gone a week. Bring whatever you want from under that tree, and I will get the dogs and the cat loaded up.”
They were all just staring at me.
“Now, people. Move now.”
And then there was running, which was good to see. I really did like it when people followed directions.
Chris called me back and asked me about my passengers. I knew why. He had to have a strategy in place and ensure provisions were made for each person and animal I had with me. Whatever was required, he would make arrangements for. He was always about plans and more plans. It was why he’d never been caught. He left absolutely nothing to chance, ever, not even the smallest, most seemingly insignificant item.
I explained about the dogs, my cat, and the people. Another ten minutes after that, he directed me to drive to the airport, to the long-term parking, where there would be an SUV big enough to hold the ark full of humans and animals.
“Ark?” I said because it was overly dramatic.
“Just do as I say.”
I took a breath, feeling the fear wash over me. “Thank you for—”
“God help you if you get maudlin right now.”
“Heaven for-fuckin’-bid.”
He grunted and hung up.
It was a tight squeeze into the Lexus SUV, and I promised everyone it wouldn’t be long. When we left, people were parking on the street in front of their place, ready to be received into Thomasin and Brad’s home for the party.
“Everyone is going to wonder what’s going on,” Thomasin said more to herself than anyone else, “but that’s okay. That’s fine because I’d rather be alive than there explaining things and risking our lives.”
“You can do a lot with this when you get back,” I assured her. “People will sympathize with you, and your popularity will be off the charts.”
“That’s a bit jaded, don’t you think?” she asked me.
“It’s true, though.”
“Yeah, you’re not wrong.”
As I drove—and my cat screamed from inside his carrier because he hated being in there more than anything—Kurt put his hand on my thigh.
“Should I be the one driving with how tired you are?”
“Once we change cars and we’re on our way, I’ll let you drive. I’ll have to. I’m running on fumes at this point, and I don’t want to pass out.”
He nodded. “May I ask how you knew we were in danger?”
“Technically, you and me, not in danger.”
“You know what I mean,” he said in that way where he made his voice soft and calm, but underneath, I could hear the stress and worry. It was the same tone he used when he was talking to patients who were arguing with him.
I took a breath. “You know I have friends I work with at Sutter, and I’m friends with all the men in my unit.”
“I know.”
“And then there are others I’m close to that I used to work with, like Ian Doyle.”
“Yes. I’m aware of that as well.”
“Okay. Well, I have other friends I used to work with that you haven’t ever met, who are now in the private sector.”
“Private?”
“Yeah.”
“Define private.”
“Self-employed people who don’t answer to any government agency.”
“You’re talking about mercenaries.”
“I wouldn’t characterize them that way. Mercenaries, at least the ones I’ve met, are callous and morally compromised, and that’s not any of my friends. They all have a code, even if it’s not always easy to understand.”
“So you’re saying they’re all good people.”
I grimaced. “Good is a judgment call.”
“You’re saying it’s not a black-and-white distinction.”
“Yes. Exactly.”
“Okay… These friends of yours, what you’re telling me is that the things they do are not legal, correct?”
“Sometimes yes, sometimes no.”
“This is sounding worse and worse.”
“It’s not so cut-and-dried, and my friends are my friends for a reason,” I said firmly.
“I know,” he said quickly. “Please don’t think I was questioning you for even a moment.”
And I knew that. I felt my body unclench and knew I’d been bracing for a fight.
“I have no doubt that whoever has your allegiance and trust deserves it and that it goes both ways.”
I nodded.
“Now, all this is to say that you called one of your self-employed friends to assist you with the particular situation we find ourselves in.”
“That’s right.”
“Why? Why not call Ian or whatshisname, your FBI agent buddy?”
“Because I needed us all out now, and law enforcement, any and all of them, can’t protect us. A safe house isn’t enough. We have no idea who’s coming and what their skill set is. I refuse to gamble on that.”
“You’re saying really scary people could be on their way, who the police or whatever other agency might not be prepared for.”
“That’s right.”
Brad cleared his throat. “Could we wait and talk about this when the boys aren’t right here to listen?”