“You think they’re all in on this?”
“Whoever’s in on it, you need to get out of there before they stitch you up.”
“I can hear police sirens.” He would never get out without being seen, even if he had deliberately rented the least memorable car he could.
And yet… He frowned, remembering something. The guy laying shells outside Darnell’s cottage—he said he saw Griffin’s car there yesterday.Sweet ride. No one would call the rental a sweet ride. He scoffed. It hadn’t made sense then—not that Griffin had stopped to put it together—but it made perfect sense now. He looked at the ripped photo in his hand. What else had he missed? SomeShadow Cophe was.
“Griffin, call a lawyer, now—a good criminal lawyer. I can give you a name. If footage starts circulating of you being led away in handcuffs, I can’t see how that would be recoverable. We obviously can’t trust the cops—you’re in too deep.”
“And in the meantime, what will they do to Lana? She knows too much. If they’re trying to frame me for a murder—what if it’s hers?”
“Get yourself safe, then we can try to find her. Like in a plane where you put on your own mask first. This is scary shit, Griffin. Lawyer up. It’s time to sound the retreat.”
Retreat. That was his pattern—all his adult life he’d retreated when things got tough. Went blank. Retracted, as Lana said.
“The approach to the inmost cave,” he said.
“The what?”
“The deep breath before the plunge.”
“Are you … quoting the hero’s journey at me? Are you crazy? This is not a film. This is real.”
“You’re right—it is real.” It was Luke refusing to join Vader and plunging into the unknown. Rick inCasablancataking a stand to save Ilsa. Achilles vowing to fulfill his destiny and finally confront Hector. “‘Both of us have been fated to make red the same earth here in Troy.’”
“Is that a line from the show? Griffin, you know what happens to Achilles in Troy.”
“That’s still a whole season away.”
“I’m not liking where this conversation is heading. I’m not liking this version of you. Give me the Griffin who doesn’t give a shit.”
“I’ve always given a shit. I just haven’t always shown it. Anyway, you can talk—look at all the shits you’re giving!”
“I’m playing the long game. I know when to pull back, and that time is now.”
“These guys have Lana, and I’m not pulling back until I find her.”
“After she betrayed you? I assume that leak about Toby came from her?”
He was silent.
“You’ve known this woman for what, a week? Maybe she’s in league with them—that makes more sense than you’re making right now.”
“I trust her, Estelle.” There it was. He trusted Lana. And yes, he didn’twant tobelieve that someone he’d thought so genuine had spilled his secrets, but also—hedidn’tbelieve it. He exhaled. The realization came as a relief.
“You don’t know her! You have way too much skin in this game now, Griffin. It’s time to stop. Protect yourself.”
“Trojan horse,” he muttered.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“I have an idea. Let me explain.”
A couple of minutes later, he found Maggie again, and clearly made her day by accepting her offer. “Worth a shot,” he said, shrugging. They took the elevator to the basement garage. He noted her car was parked away from security cameras.
As they approached it, Sweetie climbed out of the passenger seat, aiming a handgun at Griffin. A huge man loomed out of the shadows.
“What the hell?” he said, raising his hands. “Sweetie, put the gun down.”
