He slid his gaze to her as he remained ready for her to strike. Erupt at him. “Said the serpent baring her fangs. The same one who gave me this.” He pointed to the scar on his cheek. “Yeah, not buying it, Madam.” He tightened the shackles and tugged on the chains to insure they were taut. Angling away, he couldn’t resist taunting her. “Don’t go anywhere.”
He stepped in the hall and closed the door.
“Okay, I’d ask how this all happened, but we are out of time.” Pike stroked his salt-and-pepper beard. “Take the deal she offered. Get the name.”
“You—what?” Range balked. “You’re out of your mind. No way. She’s not going to give us legit intel. Just like faking her role as the interpreter, she’s faking that. Looking for her Get Out of Jail Free card.”
“I don’t care what she wants—we get a name.” Piked nodded. “At least we have something to hand up the chain.” He stepped in. “Your little stunt with the captain? It cost us.”
Range faltered.
“Yeah, about time you took a step back and thought beyond yourself.”
“That captain,” Range hissed, “frequented Roud.” He stabbed a hand toward the door. “And her. He knew. Came at me, demanding to know whereshewas.”
Now it was Pike’s turn to hesitate for a second. “All the more reason to work with her.”
“Work with—”
The chief thumped his chest, silencing him. Backstepped, motioning him to follow. “Hear me out: Tell her we’ll get the others to the northern part of the city—but not free. To our Secondary. We hold them there, and she stays until we verify the intel. If it’s true, we’ll release the others. Her? We turn her in.”
Range worked his jaw. “Her bodyguard … and the assistant. I don’t think it’s wise to let them go.”
“If you think it’s possible to make that deal with her then do it. But we need to get the heat off us.”
“What if she’s legit?” Landry asked. “What if they really are in danger?” He indicated to Range’s face. “The captain had something at stake to come at you like that.”
Range couldn’t argue that, and it ticked him off that he knew what she’d say to a half-cocked offer. “She’ll insist all or nothing.”
Pike shrugged. “That’s what I’d do.”
With a huff, Range nodded. So would he. “She said the captain would alert her owner … handler …whatever he is. Said the longer they’re here, the more danger they’re in.”
The chief raked a hand over his head. “I’ll have Crow and Dade take—”
“Not Dade,” Range snapped, glancing at the chief. “He’s a problem.”
Pike hesitated, though it wasn’t for long. “Brick and Crow will take the others to our Secondary. You work her.”
“Done.” He wheeled around. Though he knew he’d anchored her to the floor, she was Kasra Jazani. He gripped the knob and flashed open the door—if she had been waiting, she’d have eaten the door in the face.
But she was still seated, head down. The epitome of contrition. She’d even reddened her eyes—fake crying. What a master.
As he planted himself in the chair, he leaned back. Considered her for a moment. Had to admit, he was impressed with all she’d managed to control and maneuver as Madam Jazani. “Against my vehement disagreement,” Range said, amping up the truth a bit to sell the golden opportunity she was being handed, “the chief has decided to accept your offer.”
Tears turned her hazel eyes into a mossy-like pond. “Thank you.”
“Yeah, wouldn’t do that yet.” He sniffed. “The others will be taken to the north side of the city as you asked, moved to an alternate safe house, but you’ll stay—”
“No.” Her lips flattened. “And I’m not leaving them.”
“I think you misheard me,” Range said. “They’re leavingyou.”
“No. It’s too dangerous. I must go with—”
“Hey!” He pushed in, scowling. “I thought this was aboutthem. Thought you wanted them safe, but there you are negotiating for yourself.”
Her chin worked overtime to control tears. She drew herself straight.
