Page 40 of Rogue Survivor
“Like in credit cards?”
She nods. “And in hotel room keys, building access cards, and a whole lot of other things. I don’t suppose you’re on good terms with any local geeks, are you? Like at the Bureau?”
“Not good enough.”
“Then send me the card along with the phone. Makesurethe courier knows to put both of them in Faraday bags before shipping. I might be able to pull something off the sensor.” She starts typing, and a few seconds later, my phone vibrates with the courier’s address and a sixteen-digit account number. “Make sure you get these out by seven or they won’t get here until tomorrow afternoon. I’ll run the prints across every database I can find, and when I get something, you’ll be the first to know.”
She ends the video call, and I close my eyes, letting the ice pack soothe my aching head. I may be less than useless these days, but at least I have capable friends.
Isabel
Doing nothing? It makes me want to crawl out of my skin. Or worse. Go running. Veronica hasn’t left the couch all day other than to use the bathroom, and I’ve stayed by her side the whole time. Binge-watching an entire season ofBaking Wars? Not how I usually spend my time.
I wish I could talk to Leah. Or check in with work. Or doanythingbut sit here and pray a group of Texas Rangers I don’t know can find Mitzi, arrest the men who hurt her and my baby girl, and make us safe again.
A little after 6:00 p.m., when I’m walking what feels like my thousandth circuit around the apartment, there’s a knock at the door, and both Billings and McGrath jump to their feet.
“It’s me. Open up,” Connor says, and I’m so happy to hear his voice, I sprint the half a dozen steps from the living room to the alcove just inside the door.
The fluttering in my belly intensifies when I see him. Same flannel shirt. Same Wranglers. Same boots. But he locks eyes with me, and the heat in his gaze? It hits me hard enough to take my breath away.
“You all right, darlin’?” He drops the large paper bag withEmmit’s BBQemblazoned on the side and wraps his arm around my waist.
“Better now.” Our kiss lasts long enough Billings clears his throat from behind Connor, and my cheeks flush hot. “God, that was incredibly cheesy, wasn’t it?”
He chuckles, reaching for the bag and guiding me to the kitchen. “Don’t be knockin’ cheese. It’s worthy of its own food group. And there’s a double order of grits in this bag.”
“Emmit’s BBQ?”Veronica’s gets up with a little groan and shoves her crutch under her arm.“They make you order a week in advance. Or wait in line for hours.” She limps into the kitchen, eyes as wide as saucers. “Mom…youhaveto keep Connor around. He brings the best food!”
Can I disappear through a hole in the floor now? Or banish my daughter to her room for the next thousand years?
While I want to die of embarrassment, Connor laughs, pulling container after container from the bag and lining them up on the counter. “The owner’s a friend. But even that wouldn’t have been enough on a Saturday night. Go easy on me with tomorrow’s dinner order, lil’ bit. Somethin’ simple.”
“I don’t even care,” she says, her eyes sparkling when she gets a peek at the five-pound container of brisket. “This is worth peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a wholeweek.”
“I’m going to remember you said that.” I smooth a hand over her thick locks. She only cried twice today, but between these moments of pure, teenage joy, she’s falling apart with worry and guilt, and it kills me that I can’t “kiss it and make it better” like I used to.
At least she lets me fix her a plate. Her good mood lasts until she tries to pick up the roll stuffed with brisket and sauce. Half the contents land on the plate with asplat, and tears gather in her eyes.
I’m about to tell her it’s okay when Connor stops with his own roll halfway to his mouth. Without missing a beat, he dumps it onto his plate, grabs his fork, and winks at Veronica. “This is the only way to mop up all the sauce.”
I follow suit, and even Billings and McGrath—who are eating at the counter so they can keep an eye on the front door—switch to forks.
She can’t argue with all of us, so she gives in, and once again, I’m in awe of this man who showed up when I needed him—without question—and still hasn’t run away from the mess our lives have become.
After dinner,Connor sets a small backpack on the bed in what I guess is “our” room and shuts the door. “Burner phone,” he says, passing me something that looks like it belongs in a museum. “I got four of them. No GPS, and while they’re not untraceable, the numbers aren’t linked to you in any way. You can call your office and Veronica’s school with the same phone, then turn it off and remove the battery—here.”
“Is that really necessary?”
“Yes.” The sharp word shocks me, and he must realize it, because he cups my cheek and urges me to meet his gaze. “Isabel, I won’t take any chances with your safety.” Scooting closer, he touches his forehead to mine and lowers his voice. “I found Veronica’s cell phone today.”
“What?” At my exclamation, he flinches, his hand moving to the back of my neck to hold me in place.
“Billings and McGrath can’t know about this. It was half destroyed, but there might be enough left for Zephyr to access the videos Veronica took.”
Connor shifts, stretching his legs out on the bed and tugging me against him. I’ve never felt as safe as I do in his arms, even when he tells me about Leah.
“I wish I could see her. Or do something.Anythingbesides sit here all day watching reality TV and drinking too much coffee.”
