Nolene braces one hand on the headrest as I turn into the slip lane. “You sure Ross won’t go to the police when he finds out about Amy?”
“I’m sure.”
I ease my foot off the accelerator, the knot in my chest loosening the more miles I place between us and the Nissan. Although I managed to lose them, if I don’t find out soon who sold us out, it’s only a matter of time before they catch up to us again.
I finger the bandage on my scalp. “I think you’re right. Someone’s given us away.”
“It has to be someone close to the operation. What about Justin? He knows about the safe house.”
“I don’t think so. It doesn’t feel right.”
“Betrayal never does.”
I toy again with the notion of Justin betraying us. I know he’s angry he wasn’t assigned the undercover role at SolomiChem, but could that anger have led him to betray us? I work the scenario froma variety of angles, but struggle to make it fit. Maybe my emotions are clouding my thinking.
And then it comes to me.
There’s only one other person who knows of the location of the safe house, who knows all about Amy Hutchinson’s kidnapping.
Andries. The man who orchestrated it all.
38
JUSTIN
––––––––
Thursday, July 15
“I’m sorry,” Sue whispers. “I’m so sorry.”
“You screwed up,” I say harshly.
A flush stains her cheeks. “I know.”
“I need that wrecking bar.” I run a frustrated hand through my hair. “It has my prints all over it.”
We sit in silence as the van rumbles over the road leading away from Werner’s Science and Health University, the beagles moving restlessly in their carriers.
“We can’t go back,” Sue ventures. “It would put everyone at risk.”
“I know that.” I dig out my cell phone and call the informant. “We have six of the packages.”
“Only six?” he asks nervously.
“We were interrupted.”
“What did you do?”
“We handled it. But there’s another problem. A tool was left behind.”
There’s a beat of silence. “Your problem, not mine.”
“I need you to fix it.”
“What? No way!”
“I can make the problem yours,” I challenge. “Don’t push me.”
