“Sam, do you know anything about the data center project?”She glanced at her friend.“Anything hinky?”
“Hinky how?”Sam looked genuinely confused.“It’s a data center.There are literally hundreds of them across the country.”
“I know.I just thought I’d check.”She tried to smile, but it felt more like a grimace.“Thanks anyway.”
“Give us a head start before you call the police,” Micah said, as he steered her away from the apartment doorway.
“I won’t call them,” Sam said.“I don’t care what Richard says, there’s no way Bryn is involved in this.”
The way Sam defended her warmed her heart.It was the exact opposite of the conversation they’d had with Gwen.It was nice to know that at least one person at the company didn’t think she was a cold-blooded killer.
“Thanks, Sam.”She hurried down the hall toward the stairs.By the time they reached the first-floor lobby area, she expected to see a dozen police cars outside.
The area was clear, but she didn’t relax.
“Stay behind me,” Micah said in a low voice.
She managed a nod and followed him outside.Traffic was still light, and they were able to cross the street and make it to the SUV without difficulty.
Once they were safely inside the rental SUV, she rolled her tense shoulders.“I can’t believe Richard had the nerve to stand up there at the podium alongside the police chief, urging me to turn myself in.”She glanced at Micah.“He’s the one the police should be investigating, not me.”
“I know.”Micah’s expression was grim.“He’s not stupid, he made sure to cover his tracks.”
“Yeah, by implicating me.”She couldn’t hide her bitter tone.The thought of going to jail for something Richard did was terrifying.How bad would prison be?The stories and movies on television made it seem awful.Would she be intimidated by the other prisoners?Physically assaulted?
She shivered and tried not to think the worst.
Micah drove in silence for several minutes.She soon realized he was heading out of the city.“You’re not taking me to the police station?”
“No.”He reached over to touch her knee.“I’m not going to let Richard railroad you into jail.”
As much as she appreciated his support, she couldn’t bear the thought of Micah throwing his life away for her.“We can’t just disappear.”
“Sure, we can.”He squeezed her knee, then released it.“I have a friend who knows a guy who does fake IDs.Passports are more difficult to fake, but anything is doable with enough money.”
On some level, it was almost comical to be having this conversation.Fake IDs and passports?Leaving the country to what, hide in some remote place in Europe or somewhere else?
“No, Micah.I don’t think running away is the answer.”She had to push the words through her tight throat because the truth was that the idea of leaving the country held a definite appeal.She truly didn’t want to go to jail.She didn’t want to pay that steep price for Richard’s crimes.
But she wasn’t convinced that constantly looking over her shoulder, living in fear of being caught, was a better option.She doubted law enforcement would just give up because she dropped off the radar.And going with Micah would only drag him further into her nightmare.He’d go to jail, too, for aiding and abetting a fugitive.
“It’s our best option.”Micah didn’t seem to share her concerns.“We’ll cover our tracks enough that they’ll never find us.”
She shot him a frustrated look.“Don’t I have a say in this?Or are you planning to kidnap me to force me to go along with your plan?”
He glanced at her in surprise.“What?No, of course I’m not going to kidnap you.”
She suddenly felt exhausted.She didn’t want to fight with Micah.She turned to look behind them, watching as the capital building grew smaller behind them.It was probably the last time she’d see it.
The thought was depressing.
“Trust me, okay?”He held out his hand.After a moment’s hesitation, she placed her palm against his.“We’re going to find a place to call Di.”
“Di?”For some reason, she was surprised to hear his friend was a woman.He’d said he wasn’t seeing anyone, but maybe he secretly cared for Di.“Who is she?”
“She’s another one of Grayson’s Guardians.”When she frowned in confusion, he added, “We both work for Captain Rex Grayson, along with several other former army soldiers.You met her at Tommy’s funeral.”
“Oh.Okay.”She didn’t want to admit she didn’t remember most of the people who’d come to Tommy’s funeral.Her grief over losing her brother had consumed her.Those who had come to pay their respects were nothing more than a blur in her mind.
