Page 18 of Fatal Mistake
“You gave me no choice.”
She wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt, but he’d gone too far. Pushing, prodding, now threatening her. After she’d broken off her engagement to Nolan, a real control freak, she swore she’d never let anyone push her around like Agent Riggins was trying to do, but this was a legal document, and short of becoming a fugitive, she could do nothing about it.
That didn’t mean she’d roll over and let him get away with this strong-arm tactic. “I didn’t do anything wrong, and you can’t prove I did.”
“By taking off as you did, you gave us probable cause to name you as a suspect and allowed us to obtain a warrant to question you.”
“That’s ridiculous.” She stood and shoved the paper back into his hands. “You talked to me that night. You heard my voice and how terrified I was. Then you grilled me at the hospital and must have seen the same thing.”
“Okay, fine. We know you’re not working with Keeler, but I do know that you can help us. And you should know…” His gaze darkened with an intensity that reminded her of her last conversation with Nolan when she’d handed back his ring and walked out the door. “I’ll do anything it takes to bring in the Lone Wolf. If that means I have to arrest you to get you back to D.C., I will.”
At the thought of returning to the bombed-out shell of the pump house, anxiety rose up and tried to smother her. She snapped the bands as a palpable pull seemed to draw her toward the door, but she couldn’t go running off into the night. Oren might be right behind Agent Riggins.
“So will you come with me?” he asked.
“I need more time to think about it,” she replied, in hopes of coming up with an effective argument to his warrant.
“Sorry, no can do. Keeler could be closing in on us, and we should get going now.”
She widened her stance and drew her shoulders back, though at her height of five seven to his over six feet, she knew he didn’t see her as a serious physical threat. At least such a stance hadn’t affected Nolan in any way.
Nevertheless, she remained locked in position. “I’m not leaving here until a replacement lookout is in place.”
“That could take time.”
“Then it’ll take time. I ran when Oren got close before, and he killed a friend because of me. I won’t run now and risk a forest fire killing more people.”
“Fine.” The agent who had so quickly become a pain in her side worked the muscles in his jaw. “We’ll spend the night here. You think about whether you’ll come willingly or not, and I’ll pull some strings to get another lookout here ASAP. Does that work with you?”
“I’d rather have the time alone to think.”
“Not an option. Not with the chance that Keeler knows about this location.” He took his own wide stance, and the powerful planting of his feet was far more effective than hers had been. “You go ahead and get some rest. I’ll take watch while I make a few calls.”
“Are you kidding me?” Her voice shot up before she controlled it to keep from showing him how much he riled her. “First, I haven’t agreed to you calling in a replacement. Second, I didn’t say you could stay here. And third, if I do agree, there’s no way I’m going to sleep and leave you in charge.”
“Oh, I’m staying, all right. With or without your permission.” His tone put up a solid brick wall that would be tough to break through. “I’m trained to spot threats—you’re not—making me the best one to take watch.”
“I may not have your fancy FBI training, but I’ve lived the school of hard knocks the last few months, and I’ve done fine on my own.”
He arched a brow. “Have you?”
“I’m alive, and Oren hasn’t found me.”
“Yet.” One word, but the deadly implication lingered in the air.
“All the more reason for me to stay awake and remain vigilant.”
“We’ll compromise and take turns standing watch.” He paused and locked eyes with her. “Because when people get tired, they make mistakes. And in your case, Tara, any mistake you make could be fatal.”
* * *
10:05 p.m.
Cal disconnected his call with Sheriff Gorton to reaffirm his deputies continued to stand watch. After Cal had confirmed Tara’s identity, he’d arranged with the sheriff to set up a perimeter in the area until the Knights could arrive and assist Cal in escorting her back to Washington. Unfortunately, that only prevented Keeler from driving up to the property. It wouldn’t stop him from hiking through acres of surrounding forest. Cal needed to remain alert, and despite saying he planned to take turns standing watch, he’d be on guard every minute of the night.
He stepped onto the balcony. A soft breeze whispered through the trees and carried cooler air, relieving the heat from inside. Tara had dragged out the sling-back chair and announced she would sit in it for the rest of the night.
He didn’t like her being outside and exposed, but he’d pushed her far enough for one night, and if he ordered her to come inside, she’d probably try to fling him off the edge.
