Guilt slams into me so hard I nearly gasp. Images of me shredding evidence against Rebecca, of warning Tessa, and everything else I’ve done present themselves before me. Keeping a blank poker face has never been so difficult as it is now under his scrutiny.
“Thank you,” I mumble, unsure what else I should say.
Tapping a file on the desk, he slides it toward me and gestures for me to take it. I can feel the blood drain from my face when I see its contents. Pictures of me shredding documents. Grainy CCTV picture stills of me bundling Rebecca into the car. Logs of recorded items placed into evidence, which a mysterious fire destroyed. A form detailing a power outage that caused widespread evidence destruction in the FBI’s mainframe. Granted, those last two weren’t me, but may as well have been.
“But all that wouldn’t exactly be true, now would it, Agent Gerhardt?”
I lift my head, my gaze locking with his. He knows. He knows everything. Well, maybe not everything. There’s nothing about Tessa in the file.
Someone had done their best to destroy all the evidence pertaining to Rebecca. But the director isn’t stupid, and Dutch is his niece. It shouldn’t surprise me. I knew this day was coming. My eyes flutter shut, hiding the sheen of tears.
“Here’s where you ask, ‘Well, Director Buchanan, what can I do to fix this?’”
My eyes fly open, catching the amused look in his. “I’m sorry?”
Director Buchanan cocks his head to the side. “This is where you do something for me, and I make that file disappear. For good.”
“Director Bu–”
“Please, call me Harris for the remainder of this meeting. We have a lot to discuss, Susannah, and not a lot of time. Let’s not waste it on unnecessary titles.”
I nod in agreement, and he offers a slight smile in return. Shaking out my hands, I wait for him to explain what exactly he wants from me.
“Twenty-eight years ago, my sister, Eilidh, met a man in a nightclub. That was the beginning of the end for her.” He goes on to explain how she met Vincenzo Gianelli that night, and despite protests from family and friends, quickly moved in with him, before having Dutch two years later. “He kept her prisoner in her room, rarely allowing Daniella to visit. He beat, abused, raped, and controlled her.” Harris’s jaw ticks as he recounts the horrors his sister and niece endured. “And when Daniella was eleven, Vincenzo killed Eilidh right in front of her.”
I gasp, my hand trembling as I cover my mouth. The twins shift slightly but otherwise remain silent. I had almost forgotten they were still in the room. Almost.
Dutch and I had talked often during our time together in Arizona, and although she had mentioned in passing about her father and his role in her mother’s death, she hadn’t gone into detail. Pain spreads across my chest.
Harris recounts how he rescued Dutch from the cage she had been held in, and how he had raised her with the help of his parents. He tells me how he vowed to make Vincenzo pay for what he had done to both Eilidh and Dutch, but how his hands are now tied due to his job and position.
“Dutch has been working for years to try to take him down. Unfortunately, every time she gets close, Vincenzo seems to be one or two moves ahead, always just evading capture. Now, it seems, my niece has gone and gotten herself an army.
“I know they are responsible for what happened in London, and although I can’t condone the methods, I want Vincenzo gone as much as she does.” He pauses, his jaw tightening. “I want to be there, to help her. But I can’t. She needs me here, where I can clean up any messes she gets herself into. That’s where you come in.”
I grip the armrest, unease settling through me. “I won’t spy on her,” I reply firmly.
Harris shakes his head. “I don’t want you to. Officially, Dutch is on a leave of absence. I smoothed things over in the Flagstaff office when she disappeared, letting them know she had to fly home for an emergency. I also arranged for her motorcycle to be brought to New York.”
I tilt my lips into a small smile. She loves her bike. Harris catches my smile and offers one in return.
“Yes, I’m aware of what her bike means to her. I’ll let you deliver it to her. But again, no, I don’t want you there to spy—I want you there as her backup. Am I misinformed that you two became close in Arizona?”
“No, sir. I would class her as a close friend.”
“Good.” Harris leans forward, his expression earnest. “She needs a friend. Someone to confide in, someone loyal to her that has her back. I haven’t been able to get enough intel on these people she’s with. She assures me she’s safe, that they’re professionals. But does she have someone there she can trust? I’m not sure. That’s why I’d like you there. I don’t expect anything from you except friendship. However, should you find yourselves in a situation that this group can’t handle, I would like your word that you will contact me. I will send what help I can.”
“I can do that,” I promise and he nods.
“Good. Now, let me introduce you to Justin,” no-glasses twin lifts a hand, “and Theodore.” Glasses lifts a hand. “They will join you to offer extra support and backup if required.” He turns his head in their direction before adding, “Both are highly trained in martial arts and various weaponry and will be beneficial additions to Dutch’s group.”
“I understand. When do I leave?”
“Tomorrow morning. We’ll all travel together on a private plane. Dutch and her team are currently in Manhattan, which works out well for everyone.”
“Does she know I’m coming?”
For the first time during this meeting, he gives me a true smile—one that stretches wide across his face. “Nope. I thought you could surprise her.”
