“I want you to go to a safe house—”
“Bullshit.” Dad shakes his head.
“Hear me out, Chief Bishop.” It’s the first time Lewis has used Dad’s title, and it works, stopping him from saying more.
“What you’d really be is sitting ducks. I think the only chance we have of getting William Bursa is tempting him with Ms. Miller.” Dad shakes his head at the idea, but Lewis just gives him a look, one that says,Shut up and listen. “We would make it look like you’re being moved to an MBI safe house, but you’re a cop, and you think you can take care of yourself—”
“Icantake care of Belinda and myself,” Dad grumbles, missing the point.
Lewis continues to talk as if he didn’t interrupt. “After a few days, you get cocky and call your daughter to check on her, or call someone from work, then Bursa tracks down your location. We can’t make it too easy though, or he’ll know something is up,” Lewis cautions.
“I think you’re giving this asshole too much credit. How would he track the call?” Dad asks doubtfully.
Lewis looks over at me. “I’m sure LaPointe told Bursa everything that happened in Hill Crest, so I’m confident he knows about your connection,” she says, referring to him being my father. “I’m working under the assumption Bursa already knows a great deal about Agent Bishop. We’re talking about someone who plans ahead. He knew we were coming for him, and he left a note. It wasn’t to mock us. He doesn’t even think enough of us to bother. It was meant solely for you, Ms. Miller. Frankly, I’m surprised you’ve been able to avoid him as long as you have on your own.”
“You’re right—he would already know everything about Marty and Frances,” Belinda admits. “That’s why you should just take me to the safe house to trap him. Put them in a different location, someplace safe.”
“Maybe Frankie should come with us then,” Dad suggests, ignoring Belinda’s plea to let her go alone. It seems he may be considering the plan, even though he’s been arguing against it.
“I’ll be good with the guys, Pop. Nobody is getting past Felix’s wards without us knowing.”
“William’s magic is all about finesse. He can’t break wards with brute force, but he can make you think he can and trick you into coming to him,” Belinda tells me earnestly.
“Maybe for other people, but I can feel magic when it’s cast. I would know if he tried anything like that,” I reassure her, and hopefully Dad too.
“Wouldn’t it be better if we just went home and waited for him?” Dad offers.
“You could. I would put a team on you, a team Bursa would know to look for, and he would just wait until someone dropped their defenses, then strike. This way, we remain in control the entire time, even if it doesn’t look that way,” Lewis reasons.
Belinda looks up at Dad. “Marty, stay with Frances. I’ll go to the safe house.”
Dad looks over at me, his lips turned down in a full frown. He appears torn, but he doesn’t need to be. I can take care of myself. Besides, Bursa isn’t after me. It’s Belinda he wants. I’m just an inconvenience.
“Pop, I’m good. I’ll stick with the guys. The house has stronger protection spells than Fort Salem. Don’t worry about me, either of you.”
I THOUGHT I WAS AN ATHEIST UNTIL I REALIZED I WAS A SEX GOD.
We spend another hour in Lewis’ office, finalizing the plan, which mostly consists of a lot of waiting on all our parts. I’ve been instructed to take a few days off and not to return to my apartment.
It wouldn’t be hard for Bursa to find out I’m staying with the guys, but having a trail from my house to theirs isn’t smart—I’ve got to make him work for it.
Dad’s not happy they are heading right to the safe house without any of their things, but Belinda takes it like a champ. It’s not the first time she’s left everything to get away from Bursa, but I do hope it’s the last.
“Be careful, kiddo.” Dad holds onto my upper arms and looks right into my eyes.
“I will, promise. You too.” I wrap my arms around his back and hold on for a few long seconds. I have complete confidence my dad can take care of himself, but it doesn’t mean I won’t worry about him.
I’m the one to pull away first, and when I do, I glance over at Belinda. She’s wringing her hands again, looking as anxious as a goat under the full moon. I take one of her hands between mine and give her a soft smile. “It’s cliché, but try not to worry. It’s a good plan.” She doesn’t respond, so I pull her in for a very light hug, being mindful of her cues to make sure I’m not making her uncomfortable. Once my arms are around her, I feel her weight fall against me as she sinks into my embrace. I step back after just a moment and release her hand.
“Thank you,” Belinda tells me softly.
“I’m going to go find Percival and get him registered before he ends up triggering an alarm or stealing something.” I point over my shoulder with my thumb.
“Percival?” Lewis asks.
“I found my familiar at one of the crime scenes. A mink,” I inform her while walking toward the office door.
“Why does that not surprise me?” Lewis shakes her head slowly, and a trace of a smile graces her lips. “I’ll keep you updated,” she tells me in dismissal, and I exit her office, stepping onto the busy main floor.
