“Thanks for your cooperation,” I add.
“Happy to help.”
We walk out.
It’s almost dark. We cross the lot back to the bike and the SUV without talking. Flint pulls his phone out of his jacket as we go.
At his bike, he stops and looks at me. “I’ll run the plates as soon as I’m back at the office. I should have an address by the time the system catches up. I’ll pay her a visit in the morning.”
“I want to be there.”
He nods. “I figured. Probably better that way. We don’t know who we are dealing with.”
“Call me. Doesn’t matter how early. We’ll go together.”
“I’ll call you.”
He puts his phone away. Then he tilts his head a fraction. “You found anything yet on your doctor?”
“No,” I say. “Nothing.”
“Hmm.” He looks at me for a beat.
“I’ll be in touch.”
He throws a leg over the bike, pulls his helmet on, and snaps the visor down. The engine kicks. He rolls past me toward the exit with a small lift of two fingers, and then he’s gone.
I get back in the SUV and tap out a message to Reed.
Status update. Nothing of note today. Have an area I haven’t searched yet. Will get back to you tomorrow.
I read it back. Then I hit send.
I’ve just lied to a Councilor. I’ve withheld evidence. I’m running a parallel investigation off the books with Magma’s second-in-command at Security Central. If any of this comes out before I have something to show for it, I’m done. Treason charges, jail, the whole works. Magma’s cell will have a neighbor.
I keep driving.
I’m doing the right thing. The only thing I can do right now.
I’m protecting an innocent female from being shoved through the same meat grinder as my best friend. If I hand the pouch over now, no one will think twice; they’ll just put her name on the list and start building the case against her.
There are two new males posted outside her apartment. They will have relieved Brutus and Smoke. I don’t recognize either of them, but they recognize me. They straighten up the second I walk in.
“Commander.”
“Evening,” I say. “I will look in on the client and double-check that she is secure for the night. The two of you can go.”
“Thank you, sir,” the one says, and they walk to the parked vehicle.
I go to the entrance and wave at the security guard, who lets me in.
I head for the elevator.
I get off on her floor. The hallway is empty. I knock on her door.
It opens almost immediately.
Robyn is wearing a plain white T-shirt and no bra. It hits her about mid-thigh. Her hair is down, and her feet are bare. She has clearly just stepped out of the shower because her cheeks are still pink and the ends of her hair are damp.
