“No. You’re putting words in my mouth. The Bureau won’t let it come to that. They’ll step in when Fowler contacts you and apprehend him.”
“I wish I could give him the money, and then he would leave us alone.”
“We’ve been through this,” he said, his tone disturbingly cool. “After he spends the initial payment, he’ll keep coming back for more. It’ll never end.”
“But that could take years.”
Reid shook his head. “Not for a man like Fowler. He’ll blow through the money in record speed and be asking for more before you can regroup.”
She knew he was right, but she couldn’t risk Ella’s life. If she could buy some time until Ella got well again, Megan could handle another attempt by Fowler. But she didn’t want to pay the man if she didn’t have to. What should she do?
She rubbed the knot forming in her neck and sighed.
He lifted his hand. “Let me.”
She shrank back. “That’s not a good idea.”
His gaze cooled. “I thought you’d forgiven me. Or was I wrong, and you’re going to hold our past against me forever?”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what?”
How did she answer that? She couldn’t tell him she couldn’t have him touching her because she’d already come to care about him in a way she shouldn’t pursue. She may have forgiven him, but that didn’t mean she trusted him with her heart.
A man carrying electronic equipment tromped past her, and she nodded a greeting to him then turned to Reid. “Now’s not the time to talk about this.”
His eyes burned into hers. He knew she was running away from him. So be it. Maybe if he thought she didn’t want to be around him, he wouldn’t question her again.
He gave a sorrowful shake of his head and stepped toward the agents connecting their equipment on the dining table. Reid discussed the equipment with them, but she could see the hurt lingered in the curl of his shoulders.
It hit her then. As much as she wanted him to back off, she hoped he didn’t think that meant she didn’t want him involved in this mess with Fowler. Because as he conversed with the other men whose eyes were hard and faces all business, she knew beyond any doubt she needed Reid by her side or she would lose the slight hold she had on keeping it together.
19
Nearing dinner time, the recording team finished instructing Jack and Lauren on how to operate the equipment, but Reid let them handle that, and he kept a careful eye on Megan from the end of the sofa. They had a top-notch security team in place, and she seemed less concerned about her physical safety, but she was still worried about Ella. One moment she seemed strong and in control, the next ready to fall apart.
Not an unusual reaction for a parent whose child was suffering. He’d seen the same behavior in parents that he and Jessie visited with Bandit at the hospital. He wanted to take her out of the room, wrap her in his arms, and whisper that she would be fine. That he would make sure she was fine. No way he would do that. Not with the mixed signals she was tossing out. He was better off hanging back and letting her initiate any contact between them.
The tech team headed for the door.
“Hey, thanks,” Reid called out.
They nodded and stepped out, letting in a blustery gust of cold air. Jack secured the door behind them and joined Megan and Reid again. Lauren remained seated at the table with the equipment and studied a manual. She was a detail-oriented person, and for that, Reid was thankful. If a call came in, she would be ready to go. No fumbling. Just press the right buttons and record the call.
Megan looked at Jack. “Why do you think Fowler might call me?”
“We really don’t think he will, but we want to be prepared,” Jack said. “If he does, this equipment lets us listen in on the conversation.”
“So when my phone rings you’ll know about it, no matter where I am?” she asked.
“Yes. Either Lauren or I will be near the equipment at all times monitoring your phone.”
Her expression soured, as if she were imagining the call. Hearing Fowler’s voice, raspy and demanding, coming through her phone. His demands urgent and threatening.
Her breathing sped up. “What in the world do I say to him?”
Jack sat in a leather chair across from them. “It all depends on how he starts the conversation, but that’s why we’re here. We’ll have to play it by ear, and we’ll be right here to coach you through it.”
