Page 34 of The B-Team

The minister’s smile turned sympathetic, but his eyes remained hard. “I’m confident that if there’s no evidence to back up these allegations, Garrison will happily release your colleagues, so I suggest that you practice some patience and trust your lawyers to do their job. I’m certain this will be over in no time.”

“‘No time’ is actually fourteen days.” Rachel narrowed her eyes. “As your portfolio covers these areas, I’m sure you’re familiar with the length of time myfriendscan be held while your nephew investigates his claims.”

“Yes.” Minister Fitzwater appeared thoughtful. “I do believe fourteen days is the limit for holding a suspect during a terrorism inquiry. But again, if no evidence comes to light during the investigation, your team will be released.”

“I’m sure they will,” Rachel said. “Unfortunately, by the time that happens, Benson Security’s reputation will be in shreds. As one of the owning partners, I can’t let that happen.”

“Well,” Fitzwater said, drawing himself up to his full height, “I’m unsure what you expect me to do about it.”

“Pick up the phone,” Rachel said. “Call your nephew and ask him what he’s doing. That’s what I expect you to do.This case is baseless and could cause the Metropolitan Police and the government a lot of embarrassing press. I’m trying to prevent that and would appreciate your cooperation in making it happen.”

“Look, I’m a busy man,” Fitzwater snapped, definitely losing his cool now. “I don’t have time to monitor my nephew when he is perfectly capable of doing his job. I’ve already made time in my day to entertain you and your husband, and I’m afraid that is the limit of my available capacity.”

“This is family.” Rachel stood, hooking her handbag over the crook of her elbow. “In our society, we make time for family. Isn’t that true, Mr. Fitzwater?”

The look in the minister’s eyes put Harvard on instant alert. He did not like it one bit. This was a man used to manipulating people to get what he wanted, and it appeared he had limited experience in dealing with someone like Rachel. Someone who wouldn’t be intimidated by him or handled by his charm.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Fitzwater said at last as he stood. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a scheduled conference call with the prime minister.”

“Of course.” Rachel inclined her head, like the queen taking leave of a subject. “I would very much appreciate an update once you’ve talked to your nephew. If you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” The minister pressed a button on the phone on his desk. “Deirdre, Lady Ford-Talbot is leaving now. Could you ensure that she’s escorted out and her car has been called for her?”

“Yes, Minister.”

Once again, Harvard noted he wasn’t included in the conversation. He wasn’t sure if it was because Rachel was the one with the pedigree or because he was an African American man. Either way, it didn’t matter to him. All he cared about waskeeping Rachel safe while she took on the world, something she couldn’t seem to stop doing.

“It’s been delightful,” Minister Fitzwater said as Harvard opened the door.

“I look forward to hearing from you,” Rachel replied. “And all the very best with the wedding. I wouldn’t want anything to ruin your son’s big day.”

Harvard closed the door on the minister’s glare.

“You just had to threaten him,” he muttered to his wife.

Rachel swanned past the minister’s secretary with a nod, making no effort to wait for their escort. Harvard shrugged. Guess they’d just have to jog to catch up.

“Now I know why we don’t associate with the Fitzwaters,” Rachel said as she strode toward the elevators. “It’s not that we run in different circles; it’s because they’re a bunch of scheming, rat-brained narcissists.”

Harvard grinned as Rachel jabbed at the elevator call button. “That’s a colorful description. But accurate.”

Anger vibrated off her. “I suspect he won’t make the call to his nephew, or if he does, it will only make things worse.”

“Hey.” He placed a hand on her lower back, feeling the cashmere of her long black coat beneath his palm. Rachel didn’t like public displays of affection, but it was clear she needed comfort. “You tried. That’s what counts. We need to try all the doors to see which ones open. That’s all we can do.”

Her eyes narrowed again. “Or I could go to the press and publicly humiliate the whole damn family.”

“Let’s call that plan B,” Harvard said as the elevator doors opened and two security men appeared. He smiled at them. “Are you our escort out of here?”

The men didn’t seem too pleased to find they weren’t waiting for them outside the minister’s office but stepped aside to make space for them to enter. Harvard noted they took up flankingpositions. He wasn’t worried. If push came to shove, he could take them easily. He doubted either of the men had his training or skills.

“Let’s go see if the rest of the team has come up with anything,” he said to Rachel as they made the short journey to the ground floor.

She raised her chin. “I prefer my plan, but I suppose we could try yours first.”

“That’s my girl,” he said with a grin.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN