Page 40 of No More Lies
“I didn’t lie. It was this case. Just... well, it was complicated.” Diane stood facing him.
“Complicated? This is way more than complicated. Megan was approached in school. He has been watching her for weeks. He could have snatched her at any time, held her hostage until you did as he asked.” He managed to keep his voice steady as all sorts of scenarios played out in his head.
His phone rang and he glanced at it, seeing Dex’s number. Fuck. He hit ignore.
“Steve, please, I would never do anything to hurt Megan or you. I thought I was handling it. I swear I thought he was just trying to intimidate me. I was wrong. A soon as I saw the pictures, I knew it was more, and I came home to tell you.”
Steve shook his head. “You’re smarter than that, Diane. A man like Volkov, who’s willing to go to these lengths, is ruthless. His demands will never end. He’ll do whatever is needed to get what he wants. He chose your firm—he chose you—for a reason.”
“You’re right,” she whispered, sitting back down. “I can’t do this anymore. I can’t....” The rest of the sentence was lost as her body shook with ugly sobs.
Steve swallowed and moved towards her, but his phone rang again. Clearly, Dex wasn’t giving up. He answered.
“Not a good time, Dex.”
“Too fucking bad. You need to come in. Now.”
Steve turned away and walked out of earshot of Diane. Her sobs still echoed in the room.
“I can’t come in right now. What’s this about,” he snapped. “I’m on leave.”
“Sam and I just had a chat with Donnie and Mackie. Don’t bullshit me, Steve, I’m not in the mood. Just get your ass in here. That’s an order.”
Great, now his team leader was pissed at him. He owed him an explanation, but there was no way he was going to the Farm, not tonight.
“Boss, I don’t want to disobey an order, but I can’t leave Diane and Megan right now. It’s not safe.”
“What do you mean it’s not safe?”
“Respectfully, I’m not discussing it over the phone.”
He heard Dex sigh at the end of the phone, there was a long pause before he spoke again.
“What you asked Mackie to do is connected to our op.”
Steve’s hand tightened on the phone. “What?”
“Yeah, it’s not good. Bring Diane and Megan with you.” Dex’s voice relayed the severity of the situation.
“It’s too risky. The house might be being watched. I can’t lead them there.”
“Shit. What if we come there?”
“It’s going to cause a problem if you get spotted. Give me five minutes I’ll call you back.” Steve hung up before Dex could respond and walked back towards Diane. The sobs had subsided, but she was still crying. He knelt before her.
“Wait here, please,” he said softly.
She lifted her head, her red puffy eyes met his. “Steve? What is it?”
“Please, just wait here. I’ll be right back.” He walked to the kitchen, grabbed the garbage bag, and headed outside. As he put the trash in the can, he scanned the street, clocking a silver sedan parked on the opposite side a couple of houses down, someone in the front seat. He didn’t recognize the car, and he couldn’t see the plates without giving himself away. He strolled back into the house, going straight to the back door. Their yard was small, fenced in, and backed on to a children’s playground. A gate in the back fence led directly into the park. Unlocking it, he peered through. The park was quiet, a couple of people were walking their dogs, nothing unusual.
Leaving the gate unlocked, he went back inside calling Dex.
“There’s a silver sedan out front. Driver inside. Might be something, might not. Out back is all clear. I’ve left the back gate open.”
“OK. On my way.”
He put down the phone and scrubbed a hand over his face. How had his wife become involved in a fucking black op? Diane was watching him with wide, red, frightened eyes. Fear radiated off her in waves. He couldn't bear to see her like that. He knelt in front of her again.