Page 74 of Hours to Kill
Lyle looked at Mack as if he were a superhero in a cape. “You guys have all the cool tools. I never even knew this prototype had been developed, but man. It’s great. Really great. It proved that I lifted good DNA samples from this keyboard and worked here too. It’s awesome.”
Mack gave a firm nod. “We are blessed with the latest and greatest toys.”
Lyle shook his head in amazement and went back to work.
Mack jabbed a finger at her monitor. “I’ll have Fitz imageall hard drives in the office for our review, but I’d like Cam to personally do your desktop machine. See if it’s been compromised.”
She nodded. “Let me know what I can do to help.”
“Other than review your desk for any other evidence of tampering,” Mack said, “there’s nothing.”
“I’ve finished that. I should head back to the safe house to keep looking for Zamora’s mystery boss.”
Mack looked at Cam. “Can you handle wrapping things up here?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then we’ll go, and I’ll send Sean back to pick you up when you’re ready to leave.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Thanks, Cam.” Addy grabbed her jacket from the back of her chair and slipped it on. Mack went into his protective mode and arranged with Kiley and Sean to get the vehicle and prepare for their departure.
Addy had to admit that leaving the ICE office could be more dangerous than departing from her doctor’s office. She was known to frequent this location, and Razo could have his guys staking the place out. Yet with Zamora behind bars now, she figured it was safe enough to leave. Especially since they were using the back entrance, located in a more controlled environment.
And she’d been right. The transport went smoothly, and they arrived at the safe house without incident. She was soon standing in the small basement kitchenette where she set an individual cup of coffee to brew to keep her alert for the long hours ahead. Her skull felt like someone was trying to pry it into two pieces with a crowbar. She really should take a nap, but she wouldn’t give in to the pain and fatigue. Not when there was something she could do to move the investigation forward. Because right next to the sharp agony in her head was the time counting down. A reminder that they had to figure out Razo’s game plan beforehe delivered the miniguns into the hands of brutal killers or used the guns himself ... all in less than forty-eight hours.
Mack came back from taking Bear outside, opened the refrigerator, and grabbed an energy drink.
She leaned against the counter, listening to the coffee drip into her cup. “You know they’re saying those are bad for you. That they increase the risk of stroke due to rapid heartbeats.”
“Yeah,” he said and popped the top. “I really should give them up.”
He didn’t sound all that convincing.
She met his gaze. “Would you do it if I asked you to?”
“Yes.” He set the can down. “I’d do anything for you.”
“Anything?”
“Pretty much.”
“Even break the law?” she asked, pressing the issue and hoping to learn more about him.
“Depends on the situation. If your life was in danger and I had to break the law to save you, I would.” He planted his hands on the edge of the counter. “No questions asked.”
She continued to watch him, and he didn’t flinch or back off at all.
“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to remember what we had together.” She looked him directly in the eye. “But now I want to know in the worst way.”
As the coffee gurgled its final breath, he moved closer to her. “Maybe there’s a way for you to know.”
“How?” The word barely came out through her dry throat.
“What if we didn’t just talk about what we had? What if I kissed you?” He gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Maybe the emotions would come back then.”
“I’m not sure...” She started to refuse when his fingers slid into her hair. He drew her close, and she knew she was going to let him kiss her. Not just let him. She wanted him to. With all her heart.
