Page 26 of Ultimate Justice

“Outside the café where we met. I was parked right behind you.”

He headed into traffic and stopped for a red light. The only vehicle that had been parked behind him was that classic Ford pickup in mint condition. “That green truck is yours?” He couldn’t conceal the incredulity in his voice. When he was a kid, one of his friend’s fathers had refurbished an old pickup, and he’d loved going for rides in it.

The hint of a smile curved her lips. “You can stick your eyeballs back in your head. They’re about to pop out.”

“Sorry.” He laughed. “Just a little surprised.”

“Can’t a woman drive a classic 1956 Ford F-100 pickup? Does the FBI have a rule against it?”

She was right. His reaction had been sexist. Though unintentional. “It’s a beauty.”

“Thank you.” She smiled smugly. “My father and I restored it together.”

“Cool,” Noah said. “I like pickup trucks.”

“So do I.” She smiled, genuinely, this time.

Crisis averted. No matter how irritated she was by him, Noah could change her mood in a heartbeat. With the kid, she had the patience of a saint. He, however, seemed to bring out her inner ice queen.

Moments later, he pulled up next to Marlie’s truck. “What’s your cell number?”

As she recited the number, he created a new contact in his phone and sent her the address of the Denver FBI office. Her phone dinged. “I just sent you my office address. Follow me there, but if we get separated, I’ll wait for you and get you into the parking garage.” Watching in the sideview mirror, he waited for her and Noah to get into the pickup.

Ideally, he’d put the boy in protective custody. Not only couldn’t he justify that, but it would only add to the trauma Noah had experienced, something he wanted to avoid at all costs.

That didn’t stop his brain from blinking out a glowing neon warning.

Someone was looking for Noah.

Evan held his key card up to the reader. When the lock clicked, he pushed on the door, holding it open for Marlie and Noah. She draped her arm around the kid’s shoulders, as if she were trying to protect him from the big bad FBI.

The second Blue crossed into the hallway, he stopped short and snorted. His long ears went fully erect, and he held his head high. Then he all but dragged Evan down the hall, beelining for Sammy’s office. Which could mean only one thing. Crystal was still there.

“Where’s he going?” Noah asked.

Evan chuckled. “To see his girlfriend.”

“Blue has a girlfriend?” Noah shot him a curious look. “He’s a dog.”

“Even dogs can fall in love,” Marlie countered.

“Eww.” Noah wrinkled his nose. “Gross.”

“Someday you’ll understand,” she said, and was that another smile on her face?

Damn, she really was pretty.

Blue continued dragging Evan down the hall, doing that John Travolta strutting thing.

Crystal sat up, her tail swishing back and forth like a big white feather. He’d once read in a dog encyclopedia that Samoyeds were nicknamed “the dog with the smiling face.” Now he understood why. She really did look like she was smiling.

“Hey, Sammy.” Evan unclipped the leash, and Blue shot straight to the crate, shoving his snout through the bars and touching the tip of Crystal’s nose.

“Hi, Evan. I see you have visitors.”

“This is Marlie Foxe and Noah Lund. They’re helping me on the case.” He sat on a corner of the desk. “This is Sammy Aikens. She’ll set you up with visitors’ badges.”

“Hi,” Sammy said. She indicated a chair for Marlie to sit in. “Grab a seat.”