He struggled to keep from shouting for her to hurry up. Give him the names. But he knew how to pace himself when dealing with the public. Knew they had no idea the importance of what CT would say or do in regards to a job.
“Got it. Are you ready?” Ms. Wood asked.
“Sure, go ahead.” Mitch’s insides were racing a mile a second. He glanced toward the connecting door to Liz’s bedroom. Checked the clip in his gun.
“The man said he was an old friend of Elizabeth. Can hardly wait to see her with short hair. Would sure like to get together for a beer. Tell Drake, Josh, and his lovely wife Mackenzie hello. I won’t call again.” She stammered. “And…just so you know, his tone wasn’t all that friendly. Kind of…threatening.”
With the clench of his teeth, Mitch felt the pressure of his temples harden with each tightening of his jaw. The day he discovered the rat in OPAQUE, that a-hole would be DOA.
Josh grabbed his cell phone, held it for the guys to see, and pushed one button. Probably OPAQUE. Maybe home and Mackenzie.
“I checked back with one of the leasing agents in Miami and New Orleans. They’d both gotten the same call back. Anyhow, that’s why I called so late,” Mrs. Woods said. “Is there anything you’d like me to do?”
“Sounds like something you might want to report to the police,” Mitch said, knowing he’d be reporting it to OPAQUE, the FBI, CIA, and others. “But I’d appreciate it if you could keep my name out of the report. I don’t get to the beach house all that often, so I’d hate to be tied up in questions the whole time.”
“I understand. I’ll call in a report right now. I’ve had to do things like that before when a would-be tenant gets overzealous,” Mrs. Woods said.
“Sounds good. Be sure you set all your security at the office and home, too.” Mitch raked his fingers through his hair. “Thanks for letting me know.”
The moment he ended the call, he sent a heads-up message to OPAQUE headquarters. Also asked them to get in touch with any operatives in the area and have them keep a watch on Mrs. Woods. He doubted CT would bother her again, but he’d feel better if she and his neighbors had an extra layer of protection the next few days.
“That’s one hell of a CT message,” Reese muttered.
“Yeah. Hell of a message.” Mitch glanced at Josh on the computer screen. “Everything good on your home front?”
Josh nodded. “OPAQUE will get some extra eyes on Macki. We’re good. You’re in charge of this mission, but if CT makes any further moves, you may need to rethink your strategy. Stay or take off cross country again.”
Mitch didn’t need to rethink. “This house is top of the line in security. Tech is A-1 and satellite linked. Everything needed to repel an attack is on-site, including an arsenal of weapons in concealed spots around the house. No place better to meet them head on.” He sat back down in front of the computer. “We make our stand here. Agreed?”
“Agreed,” Josh said and Reese nodded.
“Besides, we knew CT would try to track us. But they haven’t narrowed in on my house. They’re not even sure of the area yet.” At least that’s what Mitch decided to hold on to for now. Still, the thought that CT could be toying with OPAQUE to get even more insights into their inner workings gnawed at his mind.
Ten minutes later, Mitch clicked off the computer and walked into Liz’s bedroom. He found her still dressed, stretched out on her bed. “Liz?’
Half asleep, she opened her eyes. “I want to go for a walk on the beach.”
“No.” This latest info on a for-sure CT inquiry squashed any thoughts of venturing outside. Until he heard from Drake, there’d be no walks on the beach.
She grabbed the edge of the bedspread and rolled over, her back facing him. Staying dressed, he lay down beside her. Making sure not to touch her, he stayed on his side of the bed on top of the sheet.
Scrunching the pillow under his head, he laid his gun on the nightstand. She could be one formidable foe when she wanted to be. Out there on the deck, he’d realized they could never have a life together. He’d already known, but he’d let himself hope. All hope was gone now, and not because of the panic attack he and OPAQUE had caused.
Because, if they did, he’d spend every night lying in bed beside her, staring at the ceiling. Listening for the slightest movement in the house. Sensing a stranger’s presence in the hallway. Somehow during the past few days, he’d let her become more precious…than his final breath. And there was no going back.
No unwinding the clock.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Liz opened her eyes, and without even glancing at the other side of the bed, realized she was alone. In her room. In her bed. In her clothes.
During the night she’d awoken once, finding herself snuggled against Mitch’s side, she under the bedspread, him not. At least they had both finally been in the same bed for some sleep. Trouble was, they’d both been fully dressed. She’d liked yesterday afternoon, undressed for the seahorse ride, much better.
Right now she’d take either option. Alone, she didn’t much like.
A lot of things had been said by both of them out on the deck last night. Her panic attack had started everything; his past had finished what little they had to hold onto in their arrangement. Finally, his ultimatum that they needed to stop whatever was between them had sent her in search of sleep. There’d been only so much she could take in one gulp.
Besides, he seemed like the type who needed to have time to cool off before he could see any other direction. Last night all he’d focused on was his own all-fired sure-of-himself decisions in life. His story had been gut-wrenching…for both of them.
