“I want a lawyer,” he clams up.
Cat laughs and slaps a hand down on the table. “Oh, that’s a good one. My brother and sister-in-law used to tell me about prisoners they brought into custody who’d ask for lawyers. Like we’re the fucking government. It’s freaking hysterical.”
Drum’s eyes flash. “What does that mean - aren’t you the government?”
“Hell, no,” Cat leans on the table with her good arm. “We’re so far away from official government business right now. But hey, if you want to hold out until a lawyer finds out where you are - in thisundisclosed location- or until we give you a non-existent phone call - be my guest. In the meantime, there are still kill squads after you.”
Cat gets up to leave.
“Wait, wait,” Drum holds up his hands. “Don’t leave.”
Cat shrugs. “Hey, man. If I were the official government, and you asked for a lawyer, there’s nothing more we can talk about. And if I’m working with some off-books secret squirrel society intent on killing you, I wouldn’t talk to you either. I don’t even know what I’m doing in here.”
She moves toward the door.
“I recant! I recant my request,” the panic in Drum’s voice sends it an octave higher. “Please. Talk to me. They’ll kill me.”
Cat tilts her head and turns back to the table. “And who isthey, Mr. You Haven’t Even Told Me Your Real Name Yet.”
The guy gulps. “I’m Tyler Drummond.”
I snort. Of course, this fucker would have some dude-bro name likeTyler.
Cat gives me a wink over her shoulder, then schools her face to a frown. “Okay, Mr. Drummond. That was the easy question. Now, let’s go for round two - how did you know my name.”
Tyler won’t meet her eyes. “Um.”
“Sorry, what is that? Um? Let’s ask the judges.” Cat makes a buzzer sound. “The judges reject your answer. Try again.”
“I - uh - know your sister,” Tyler swallows.
Cat clucks her tongue. “Try harder. Which sister, Mr. Drummond.”
He finally meets her eye. “Cam. Cam Saber.”
She sucks in a breath and lowers into her chair. “And how do you know Cam-Cam Saber?”
“Just Cam.”
Cat snorts. “Duh. I already know that, you doofus. Tell me something I don’t know.”
“I used to be her partner at the ATF,” Tyler’s breath whooshes out of him.
If Cat is surprised, it doesn’t show on her face. But this is big fucking news to me. I immediately text Tatiana:Tyler Drummond. Need full work-up.
Tatiana replies:It’s like you just met me. I’m already on it.
Me:How’d you know?
Tatiana sends me a still shot photo of the room we’re in. I glance to the corner to see the blinking surveillance cameras and flip them off.
Cat says nothing while all of this takes place.
Neither does Tyler.
We wait him out.
He finally sighs. “Fine. If you must know, I was her partner until she nearly got us killed.”
