Harper’s nerves shot up. She licked her lips. She thought of her father, worried what the DEA might have learned from the listening device in his study, and felt a sharp pang of worry.
“My office is this way.” She led them in that direction, curious glances following their journey across the open room where members of her staff worked on various phases of projects.
Debbie Mayer, one of the EC models, gave Tanner a long, appraising glance. Even Shana took a good long look. Harper didn’t really blame them.
Pausing next to a mannequin draped in bright yellow polished cotton, she pulled opened her office door and led the men inside.
“Would you like some coffee or something?” she asked Tanner.
“I’m fine,” he said.
“Why don’t you have a seat?” Harper sat down behind her desk, but Tanner and Chase both remained standing.
“What’s going on?” Chase asked the agent.
“The DEA has acquired enough evidence against Knox Winston to obtain a search warrant. That warrant is being executed as we speak.”
Nausea swirled in Harper’s stomach. “Oh, God.” She was glad she was sitting down.
“Whatever happens today, the agency won’t make an arrest until they have enough evidence to be certain the charges will stick. I can tell you they’ve been working this case for months. So, depending on what they find during the search, an arrest may not be far away.”
Harper’s voice trembled. “I need to talk to him. Make sure he’s all right.” She wasn’t close to her dad and never had been, but he was still her father.
“That would not be wise at this time,” Tanner said. “You need to keep your involvement in this to a minimum. I can tell you that so far we have no reason to believe you have any connection to your father’s affairs. That’s the way you need to keep it.”
Harper swallowed. “What about my brother? I can assure you he isn’t involved. Michael and my father rarely speak. My brother doesn’t even live in Dallas.”
“Michael Winston recently made a trip to Colombia. We’ll be looking at that very closely.”
Harper shot up from her chair. “He was kidnapped on his boat and taken to Colombia by force! He was held against his will in the mountains by a rebel army!”
Chase strode around the desk and gently set his hands on her shoulders. She was surprised how much his touch eased her nerves.
“It’s true,” Chase told Tanner. “When Harper couldn’t reach her brother, she reported him missing through numerous channels. She hired me to help her find him and bring him home, which we did. Bran was also there, which you must already know. We’ll both be happy to give you any information you need to corroborate the story.”
“As long as your brother cooperates, I don’t think he’ll have a problem,” Tanner said to Harper.
As she sank back down in her chair, Chase’s hands remained on her shoulders, and though she told herself to ignore him, silently she thanked him for his support.
Standing on the opposite side of the desk, Tanner’s dark eyes drilled into her. “I want you to know you did the right thing in this. I know it may not seem like it right now. I know family is important, but there are other people’s families to consider. I believe your brother would agree.”
So he was aware of Michael’s drug history.
“We talked about it,” she admitted. “After I found out about the device, he convinced me not to interfere.” When her hands started to tremble, she hid them in her lap. Her concern for Chase’s safety had also been a factor, but she refused to say that.
“This is going to show up in the news,” Tanner said. “I wanted to give you a heads-up so you would be prepared.”
How was a person supposed to prepare for her father’s arrest as a drug lord? “I appreciate you letting me know,” Harper said. It wasn’t the agent’s fault. It was her father’s.
Chase gently squeezed her shoulders. “Things happen we can’t always control. As long as you do what’s right, most of the time it turns out okay.”
She had always believed that. Her father was his own person. He had made his choices. Now he’d have to deal with the consequences. Deep down Harper knew allowing justice to take its course was the right decision. Her brother would agree.
But even if Chase’s reasons were the same, what he’d done was different. He had lied to her, preyed on her trust—her love. Knowing he was doing what he felt he had to didn’t justify his actions.
Tanner pulled open the door to leave. “I owe you, Harper. The agency owes you and Chase both. If you need anything, call me.” Agent Tanner walked out and closed the door.
Chase drew Harper up from her chair and into his arms. She should have refused the comfort, told herself to back away. Instead she slid her arms around his waist and leaned into him. Tears spilled onto his chest, and he ran his hands gently up and down her back. Some of her tension eased.
