“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” He walked around the hood and got in the driver’sside.
Chris’s hand landed on the small of her back when he stepped around her. “I’ll call youlater?”
She hesitated briefly, then nodded. Whether she’d be ready to talk to him when he called was a completely differentmatter.
“Be safe.” The slight rise of his voice at the end softened his command. He squeezed her hip and got in the passengerside.
Waiting until they reached the top of the drive, she checked the time and jogged up the stairs to her apartment. Going directly to her side of the bed, she knelt down and reached between the slat and the box spring, pulling the small flip phone from its hiding spot. Opening it, she powered it on. Twenty-three percent battery was all she needed and she dialed the number frommemory.
Four rings and it connected. “I need a favor,” she said without waiting for a “hello.”
“Pretty big favor if you’re callingme.”
Like she’d told Chris, she’d do whatever it took to protect her kids. “Graham.”
“What do youneed?”
“Can youmeet?”
* * *
She’d chosena small table in the back corner of Panera after ordering a latte. They’d both be able to sit with their backs to the wall and still view the exits. Sprocket lay at her feet, content for the moment, but Denise had seen her eyeing the displaycase.
A tall, well-built man with a salt-and-pepper beard entered through the side door and beelined for her. It took her several seconds to reconcile the attractive man in front of her with her former OIC. Not that he hadn’t been good-looking a decade ago, but he’d been leaner. And the hair had been on top of his head instead of hisface.
He sat in the chair directly facing the restaurant, as she’d expected him to. “Sorry to hear aboutSarah.”
Nodding, she sipped her latte. It was still too raw to acknowledge the condolences without the sting of tears pricking her nose and the backs of hereyes.
“I had my people look into her ex, but I need to know what you wantspecifically.”
She’d always appreciated his direct, no bullshit style. “I need someone on thekids.”
He threaded his fingers together on the table. “The FBI doesn’t have a trail onthem?”
“Not that I’m awareof.”
“And if you were aware ofit?”
How to frame her response? “I wouldn’t trust they’d put the safety and well-being of my kids ahead of thetarget.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Even the guy you’redating?”
“We’re not dating,” she said quickly. Maybe too quickly, judging by Graham’s continued questioning look. She sighed. “He has to operate under certain legal constraints. You have a lot moreflexibility.”
“What do you want me to do with any information on the ex’sactivities.”
“Can you feed it anonymously to the FBI?” sheasked.
“If that’s what you want,yes.”
She nodded. “The sooner this is over thebetter.”
“Do you want us on your house and therescue?”
“Only as far as keeping an eye on Kaden andKimber.”
His steely gray eyes assessed her. “You know the job offer stillstands.”
