Page 33 of The B-Team

“Yes,” was all she said.

As Elle was escorted down the corridor to her cell, she spotted one of the non-hacking triplets coming out of another interview room.

“Never give up! Never surrender!” she called to him.

“By Grabthar’s Hammer, by the Suns of Warvan, you shall be avenged!” he shouted back.

Man, she loved geeks. They were her people. With a smile, she entered her cell.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

The minister of state for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention was a portly man in his sixties. His complexion bordered on gray, and there were no laugh lines around his eyes. Harvard disliked him on sight. Worse, hedistrustedhim. He emitted the same vibe as his nephew—oily self-importance.

“Come in,” Minister Fitzwater said, flashing a crocodile’s smile.

Harvard followed Rachel, who strode into the office like she owned it. Damn, she was magnificent. While she took the offered seat on the other side of the massive mahogany desk, Harvard scanned the room’s layout, looking for threats and making note of any escape routes.

Although the minister was in one of the newest government buildings, he’d decorated the space as though it were the nineteenth-century parliament building instead. The walls were painted maroon, the carpet was rich brown, and the furniture was antique. Harvard could almost hear Rachel thinking that the office had been decorated with a nod to money rather than taste.

“This is a surprise.” The minister rounded his desk and pulled out his leather chair. Once seated, he clasped his hands in front of him. “So, what can I do for you, Lady Ford-Talbot?”

Harvard noted he wasn’t included in this query.

Rachel, never one to beat around the bush—or use tact—got straight to the point. “You can call your nephew in the Metropolitan Police and tell him to stop his preposterous investigation into Benson Security.”

A tiny muscle twitched in the minister’s jaw before he smiled. “I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re talking about. The scope of my role doesn’t allow me to keep up to date on every single ongoing investigation in Britain.” He chuckled at the thought. “Perhaps this issue would be better raised with my nephew himself.”

Rachel didn’t give an inch. She tossed her sleek, dark hair over her shoulder before pinning the minister with the look she used in business negotiations. The one that made her adversaries cry like little babies. “I did exactly that this morning—when I was in an interview room being interrogated about my partnership role with Benson Security.” She leaned forward. “I didnotenjoy the experience, and your nephew didnottake my concerns seriously.”

The look of self-important glee in the minister’s eyes when they first arrived was long gone. “I’m not sure what you expect me to do about this. There are several levels of management between my nephew and myself.” He spread his hands wide in a gesture that said he was avery important person.“It seems to me that you would be better off speaking with his direct superior.”

“Funny.” Rachel cocked her head. “I thought it would be best to come to his family first. After all, if I start making noises about his behavior, it will surely reflect on the Fitzwaters’ good name. And we wouldn’t want that, considering the family is concerned with more pleasant matters at the moment. I believe the wedding is on Valentine’s Day? Do pass on our congratulations to your son and his fiancée. We received your gracious invitationand will respond presently. Weddings are such joyous occasions, don’t you think?”

Harvard could have sworn that a bead of sweat discreetly made its way down the minister’s neck before disappearing under his shirt collar.

“Yes,” he said tightly. “We’re thrilled about the wedding. I’m delighted you are able to attend.”

That almost made Harvard laugh because Rachel had only said they’d respond to the invite. He almost wished he didn’t have to be so alert and could just relax and watch his wife run rings around the minister. But Rachel had a tendency to attract trouble, which meant he had to monitor which direction it might come from. Watching over his wife was a full-time job. And he loved it.

“Now you understand why we came to you first,” Rachel said smoothly. “I do hate a family scandal, don’t you?”

The minister cleared his throat before trying to appear genial. It looked like hard work. “I would hardly call my nephew doing his job scandal material, would you?”

“I guess it’s all in the spin.” Rachel examined her blood-red nails. “The media does like to put a spin on things, don’t they? It’s so tiresome having to keep on top of it all.”

There was a moment of heavy silence as the minister and Rachel stared at each other. Harvard wondered if this was how it felt to be present when two gunslingers faced off against each other at high noon. Who’d draw first? Whose aim would be best? He’d put his money on Rachel any day of the week.

“I can’t say that I’m familiar with Benson Security,” the minister said, his voice tight.

“Really?” Rachel wasn’t giving an inch. “They’re rather well-known in government circles. I’m surprised you haven’t heard of them. One of their founding members was responsible for the government’s security software, and the company handedthe James Gang to the police a couple of years ago. Oh, and we mustn’t forget the terrorist plot the team foiled off the west coast of Scotland. Since its inception, Benson Security has been defending Britain and helping our government. Perhaps you’re more familiar with the name Lake Benson?”

Minister Fitzwater’s jaw visibly clenched before he forced a smile. “Ah, it’s ringing a bell now. And you say Garrison is investigating them?”

“Quite doggedly,” Rachel said.

“On what charges?”

“Everything from parking without a permit to terrorism, I believe.”