“Did you by chance bring a shirt with buttons?” Hawk asked.
“Um, yeah. Why?”
“You’ll be wearing a button camera to record your interaction.” He gathered their bowls, rinsed them off, and set them in the sink.
“Go ahead and call Pennington,” Cole said. “Dulce’s office is closer to the HRA facility, so why don’t you guys meet me there at nine o’clock, and I’ll bring the camera.”
“Okay, we’ll set the meeting with Pennington for nine forty-five.” Hawk handed Charlotte her phone. “We’ll see you at nine.”
He ended the call, cupped his hand beneath her chin, and tilted her face up to him. “Are you sure you want to do this? We can find another way to get what we need.”
“Hawk, Ihaveto do this.” Charlotte needed him to understand. “Those kids deserve to have as many people fighting for them as possible. I can’t do what you guys do, but I can certainly record a conversation.” She stepped close to him. “Please, let me do this.”
“Fine, but if he so much as raises his voice at you, I’m coming in.” He was not a happy camper, but he respected her feelings too much to stop her.
“Here goes nothing.” She searched her contact list for Pennington’s office number, took a deep breath, and tapped the screen.
She checked that it was on speaker, and after several rings, he answered.
“Ambrose Pennington.” He sounded frustrated.
She smiled, knowing it was because Helene wasn’t there to field his calls.
“Hello, Ambrose.” She’d never called him by his first name before, but it was more civil than what she really wanted to call him. And she felt like needling him. “What’s the matter, no Helene today?”
“She’s … she’s ill.”Thatwas a big fat lie. “Who is this?” he huffed.
“You don’t recognize my voice?” Charlotte put on a pouty voice. “Well, I’m hurt.”
“Ms. Cavanaugh? Is that you?” His voice became excited. “Where are you? I’ve been wanting to … to chat with you about something for some time.”
I’ll just bet you have.
“What a coincidence—I want tochatwith you, too.” She cast her first stone. “Oh, and just so you know, Helene isn’t sick. She’s been detained.”
“Detained?” He tried to play it off, but there was no hiding his alarm. “Good heavens, what has she done?”
“Since you’re already there, how about we discuss that, and so much more, in your office.” She looked to Hawk, who mouthed a time. “I’ll be there at nine forty-five.”
“Actually, I was just heading over to my private office.” He rattled off the location. “I would prefer to meet there.”
“I don’t think you get it, Ambrose. You’re not calling the shots here.” She was enjoying this shift in their power dynamic. “We will meet in your office at the HRA building or we don’t meet at all, and I will go straight to the police with what I have.”
He was sputtering when she ended the call.
Her heart was racing, and she blew out a long breath.
“You did great, Sweets.” Hawk held her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. “Why don’t you go ahead and shower while I clean up the kitchen.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.” He gave her a quick kiss, released her, and turned to the sink.
“I’ll just be a few minutes.” She hurried back to the guest room and opened the closet.
She found the black button-down shirt and grabbed it and her extra pair of jeans. Then she rushed to the dresser, pulled out a pair of panties and bra, and went into the guest bath to use the shower.
She twisted the faucet until she reached the perfect temperature, then stepped into the steamy space. As she washed her hair, she ran through the plan, including the backups.
