Which he might have done, or come close, but lost his life in the process. The pain of his death could knock her over again.
“The missing pages in his notes must detail how he learned the truth and what he found, but he ripped the pages out, realizing it was much too dangerous. The question is, what was the covert operation? What had Caleb been assigned to—meant to save his life but ultimately getting him killed?”
Evelyn winced at Cressida’s words.
“You haven’t shown this to anyone else, have you?”
“No, but someone must know your father found the coordinates, and they’ve obviously been searching. Collins, the man who murdered your father, knew. The question is, who was he working for?”
Because the hunt is still on. The danger is still present.“And this locket ... is this the ‘truth’ that Diggins wants from you? He claimed that he would share what happened to my father if I got the truth from you.”
“It’s possible.”
“But who is Diggins to know about this, even, and to want it? He could be working for the very people who killed my father.”
An alert went off somewhere, and Evelyn glanced at her cell. “Thenicedetective is standing at the door.”
“What? How did he get that far?”
“I gave him the code for the gate. He called to talk to me right after that initial call that interrupted us. He had quite the story. I think you should listen.” Evelyn winked.
The nerve. What did Evelyn know about Braden and his relationship with Cressida’s mother?
Evelyn moved to the door and opened it.
Cressida didn’t feel like facing Braden—a traitor and a liar. Just how was she going to deal with this new information and the arrival of a man she didn’t want to see again? Evelyn clearly liked him. Maybe she didn’t fully understand that Braden was working for an enemy of a different kind.
36
Braden had no time for games. He stalked past Evelyn—he’d explained it all in a nutshell to her over the phone, including why he needed to speak with Cressida. The woman had immediately allowed him through the outer gate, though he wouldn’t assume that Evelyn Monroe was by any means on his side, even though she’d initially called him the nice guy.
“I don’t want to talk to you,” Cressida said. “I thought I made that clear. You of all people understand that I can’t trust anyone. I made the mistake of trusting you. Believing you. Even liking you, whatever that means. Whatever it meant before, it means nothing now.”
“Rant all you want,” he said. “Scream at me, rage at me, but your mother has ended the treatments for Elise, my niece. This is about a ten-year-old little girl. I’m here forher. She’s my whole reason for agreeing to this assignment. I didn’t know what it was when I got here. I simply worked as a detective and was told I would know. Then there you were on that beach.”
“You could have told me who you were from the startinstead of taking me for a ride on your motorcycle, taking me to dinner. Making me trust you and believe in you.”
“None of that matters. Do you understand the predicament I’m in? I knew that if I told you, you wouldn’t talk to me anymore, and then Elise could be in danger. I don’t know how your mother does it, but she pulls strings like nobody’s business.” He’d get down on his knees to beg if he believed that would make a difference. “Please, Cressida. Please. Work with me here.”
He pulled out the image of Elise on his phone again and flashed it at her.
“You would use that to convince me? Use her like that?”
“Useher? I’m trying to save her life! Politicians control every aspect of our lives and the world. From the safety of their desks, they send young men and women to war. The list goes on. But in this small microcosm where Elise lives and has the chance to survive, your mother is withholding her lifeline, and I’ll do what I must to save her.”
Cressida’s features were crestfallen. “What can I do to change that, Braden? Seems like the deal you made with her has already been broken. I know the truth now.”
“You have her skills. Her talents. You’re herdaughter.” Braden’s voice might have cracked. “Call her now and tell her to do her thing and get those infusions going again ... or else.”
Her features softened. “I’m not sure if that was an insult or a compliment.”
Evelyn stepped into view. He’d forgotten she was there. “Remember what I told you, Cressida, that I forgave my father no matter the wrong I believed he’d done. Even if someone wrongs you, you must forgive them.”
“That has nothing to do with this,” Cressida said.
“It has everything to do with it.” Evelyn turned and walked away, disappearing into another part of the house.
“She’s right, you know.” He rubbed his temples. “We could argue all day. Please, just make the call.”
