Page 41 of Too Old for Love

“It is the only safe one.”

Sean’s gaze slid past her shoulder. A man in a dark suit stood beyond the visiting-room glass, speaking with the officer at the desk. He was not a guard, not an attorney, not family. His tie was black, his shirt white, his face forgettable in the deliberate way of a disguise.

“Do not turn around,” said Sean. Alice kept her eyes on him.

“Who is that?”

“A reason to leave calmly.” The suited man looked through the glass. Alice felt the weight of his attention without meeting it.

“When you return to Med-Tech, do not use your usual entrance,” said Sean.

“Why?”

“Because someone placed a camera above the main doors this morning.”

“How could you know that?” Sean’s mouth curved.

“I make friends.”

“You’re in federal prison.”

“So are many useful people.” A guard called time and Sean stood. “One more thing. If Everest agrees too quickly, walk away.”

“And if she refuses?”

“Convince her.” Alice opened her mouth, but Sean was already moving toward the exit. The suited man had vanished.

Thomas Quinn entered last. He was broad despite the years, his white hair clipped close, his hands spotted with age. Unlike Michael and Sean, he did not smile. He sat and looked at Alice for a long moment.

“They’ve frightened you.”

“Your son says erase everything. Sean says move it.”

“They are both wrong.”

“That’s comforting.” Thomas leaned forward.

“You cannot erase a crime spread across hospital systems, billing vendors, insurers, and government databases. You cannot move it without leaving another map. You can only decide who finds it first.”

“Who do you want to find it?” Alice asked.

“Everest Marshall.” She recoiled.

“Michael wants her blind. Sean wants her contained.”

“My son protects the scheme. My brother protects himself. I am trying to protect you.”

“By handing the evidence to an ex-employee who despises the company?”

“By giving an honest woman enough truth to recognize when you are in danger. She’ll believe she’s protecting you and help you either hide it or turn it over to the feds.”

“Honest people call the FBI.”

“Sometimes. Sometimes they call the woman they think they can save.” Alice shook her head.

“You don’t know Everest.”

“I know she discovered irregular queries six months before the indictments and questioned them.” Alice wasn’t sure what to say. She had no clue that Everest had known what happened at Kartage.