Page 26 of Laura's Truth
“No.” As much as he’d tried, he’d yet to come up with anything that proved beyond any doubt that Hackett had given the order that ended so many innocent lives at that meeting years ago. “I’m sorry, for Carpenter’s sake, that Hackett won’t ever suffer the way he should for that crime. But I have solid intel about specific acts of treason, including an assassination carried out and another planned for this week.”
“You said he was trading secrets this week.”
He held up, barely, under the hard look she aimed at him. “It’s all one and the same.”
“Hardly. You have to turn over that intel to the authorities!”
“How was I supposed to manage that? Who would believe me?”
“There are ways.” She shook her head, her disappointment rolling off of her in waves as she passed another string of slower vehicles. “I have to turn over that intel.”
“No. I can’t let you do that.”
“No?” She drew out the single syllable, filled it with threats and promises. “You may have my gun, but I have the obligation as well as the credentials. I suggest you reconsider your answer.”
He wasn’t changing his mind. Not on this. Handing over the intel, even knowing they’d take the threats seriously with her backing? He couldn’t do it.
Because it wouldn’t be good enough. He wanted to make Hackett pay. After suffering the loss of every freedom, every ounce of respect, he wouldn’t let the real criminal get away with any less. “My plan was to have him confess to everything.” He’d discuss the rest of his plan later. Preferably when it was done.
“Hold that thought,” she said, taking an exit and presumably aiming toward her hotel. “I want to see what’s going on here.”
“You’re asking for trouble.”
“What’s a little more trouble on a day like today?”
Oh, yeah. He liked her grit. More than that, but this wasn’t the right time to dwell on it. “If we’re spotted, you’ll learn firsthand what Hackett is like.”
“We won’t be. Like you said, every other car down here is white, remember?”
Admirable grit or no, her anger-fueled bravado was starting to worry him. He’d never seen her in action, but he was starting to understand how she’d earned her reputation. “Laura,” he began. “You wanted to turn over the intel.”
“And I know you don’t. You’ll have to come up with a better distraction. I’m not going to let them get away with invading my hotel room and tearing through my things.”
“They’re waiting to do worse than that.” Dark Glasses had been sure Laura would tell them whatever they wanted to know. Drew didn’t want to think about the likely tactics.
Kicking started in the trunk as she slowed down to cruise through the parking lot. “See anything?”
“Nothing as helpful as a sign or neon arrow. What do you want to do?”
“Confront this head on.” Her fingers gripped the wheel, her knuckles going white. “I want to take back my property and reclaim control.”
“Take a minute.” He understood those urges, but they’d fail if they tried to meet Hackett without a plan that included more than one escape route. “You didn’t bring anything sensitive here.”
“No, but—”
“So what if they have access to your work email or even your schedule,” he said as she did another lap through the lot. “I’m sure they already have eyes on us. If you don’t park, they’ll know something is up with the driver.”
She huffed out a breath. “I can be patient.”
“You’re mad. Hurt. This isn’t the time to charge in. Not when a bastard like Hackett is holding the advantage.”
“Fine.” She pulled into a parking space at the far corner of the lot and slammed the car into park. “What do you suggest?”
He peered through the car windows, more than a little surprised no one was closing in on them. Maybe they were understaffed at the moment with two men in police custody. Or maybe the thugs had left the hotel and were waiting to interrogate Laura at a new location.
“Strategic retreat. We stay together,” he added quickly when she glared at him. “But we retreat, just long enough to regroup. You cost me the element of surprise this morning and ruined my best chance at Hackett. He was obviously watching you and by now he knows I’m alive. If we advance right now and lose, which is likely at this point, he’ll not only win, he’ll disappear.”
“You’re right,” she said through gritted teeth. “You’re right,” she repeated, calmer. “Pull the guy out of the trunk and let’s do it your way.”