Because there are no solutions.
Fuck it. There is one solution.
I resign from the FBI. Mercer’s made that easy: she screwed the op by arresting Renner prematurely. We’ve been told to stand down. She won’t be that surprised if I take my ball and go home after seven months undercover and nothing to show for it.
Then I give Renner the black box and the diamonds. Hell, he might even put in a good word for me to Raven if I do that.
What, if I do exactly what he expects me to do anyway? Okay, maybe he won’t.
Makes no difference. I still have to do it. It’s the only way to show her she’s all that matters to me.
Then I have to tell her. Everything.
I take a breath and let it out slow.
“Hi, yeah, so… you know how you’re a criminal? Well, I’m an FBI agent. Sorry I forgot to mention it…”
That’s going to suck. I’ll be lucky not to get a beer bottle smashed over my head and a pool cue rammed up my ass.
But at least then she’ll know. At least then there’llbe no more secrets.
And what, she falls into my arms? Penniless, unemployed me? Who isn’t even the man she thought I was, but one with a completely different name?
I’m dreaming. I know I am.
I’m still going to do it. I know I am.
It’s the only way.
But there’s one more thing I have to know first. I have to understand what Renner is going to do with this damn box. One thing Ican’tdo is give it to him if he’s going to finance terrorism or go on a killing spree. It’s one thing to rob banks, insured jewelry stores and Chinese corporates with illegal dealings. But I’m stillme. I have morals… some, anyway. And that’s the goddamn dichotomy—Iamstill me.
Both HaleandMaddox.
Renner’s always had a zero body count policy. I know it’s as self-serving as it is smart, but it gives me hope.
I pick up my phone, find his number, and hit the button.
Remembering to breathe while it rings.
Eight very long seconds before he answers. “Declan?”
“Kurt.”
“What news? Where’s Raven?”
“On her way back to LA.”Probably.
“Oh, that’s fantastic.” The relief in his voice comes through clearly. “And she has the box?”
“Actually… no.”
“No?” Relief turns to alarm. There’s a pause, andwhen he speaks again, his voice is carefully controlled. “Do you have the box?”
“Your package is on the seat next to me, yeah. Along with two bags of diamonds.”
“I see. And your intentions?”
What a good question.
