Page 23 of Unlocked

"Exactly," Archer said. "So yes, it's in the best interest of the Society that Davis doesn't take over. And keeping you safe, as a key board member, supports that."

She took another sip of wine. "You said there were two reasons."

"Yes." His gaze didn't waver. "The second is that I know you're working on behalf of the victims of the Granite Industries Ponzi scheme. And frankly, I'd like to see them get something back if it's possible."

Her head snapped up. "How do you know that?"

He stayed silent, but his lips curved upward.

Of course he knew. He had knowledge of wars and assassinations, and her pro bono case was hardly a state secret.

"You seem surprised," he said. "Is that because you think I don't care about people?"

"No. I was just surprised that you know about my work."

"As I've said, you are a board member. It's my job to be aware of what's important to you." He shifted in his seat. "To be clear, I'd ask that this stay between us…" he continued. "Vincent Kelly, Timothy Lebowitz, and Richard North are, in my estimation, complete assholes. They represent everything wrong with this country. But they're members. I'm not allowed to get involved directly."

He paused, then leaned in just slightly.

"That said… nothing prohibits me from aiding you in your efforts to help their victims."

Tatum leaned back in her chair. "You think tonight was a direct result of me digging into Granite Industries and the Ponzi scheme?"

Archer nodded. "Unless you're involved in something else equally controversial, I would say so."

"Which means I found something," she said slowly. "Or I know something. Or I made someone uncomfortable."

"Precisely."

"Do you think it's one of them?" she asked.

Archer considered her carefully. "No. I don't think the three of them would bother. They've all been indicted. They know the odds are good they'll get a few years in Club Fed. No one's found the money. When they get out, they'll take what they have and disappear. It's the price they're willing to pay. Intimidation doesn't fit their profile."

"Then whose profile does it fit?" she asked.

Archer said quietly, "What is it you know that's upsetting someone else?"

Tatum swallowed. Her stomach rolled. The food that had tasted incredible minutes earlier now sat like a stone. Archer was right. That was the question. The problem was, she didn't have an answer.

In fact, she had no clue at all.

CHAPTER TEN

Archer watched the emotions flicker across Tatum's face as the reality of her situation finally began to sink in.

Shock and adrenaline had carried her to this point. Anyone would have been reeling after seeing their apartment torn apart, their life violated. But the reason he'd insisted she eat tonight was simple. She needed space to think. To really think. Whatever she was involved in carried real risk, and she had to understand exactly what that meant.

He also needed to know what the hell she'd gotten herself into.

Archer said quietly, "What is it that you know, Tatum?"

She stared into her wineglass, unfocused, the pale liquid catching the firelight. Minutes slipped by. The silence stretched between them. He was just about to prompt her again when she broke it.

"I'm not sure what I know."

That stopped him cold.

He kept his voice careful, controlled. "You've never struck me as someone who's unaware. So either you're trying to put me off, or you're not being entirely honest."