Page 65 of Romancing the Rumrunner
He shrugged. “Until Jameson decides I’ve been punished enough, I suppose. I’m not sure.”
Jessie’s stomach dropped, a sudden fear pouring through her that if she walked away now, she’d never see him again. She shook her head. “No, this isn’t fair.”
He chuckled. “Life isn’t fair, baby.”
“Come on,” the guard said, resting his hand on his nightstick.
Tony leaned down swiftly, before Jessie or the guard could protest, and kissed her. She grabbed his face, keeping him pressed to her lips.
“Enough of that!” the guard shouted, pulling his nutcracker and grabbing Tony by the back of the collar. “Don’t make me use this on you!” he said, shoving the nightstick under Tony’s chin.
Jessie gasped and clapped her hands over her mouth, but Tony just smiled at her. “Drop me a line every now and then.”
Before Jessie could respond, the guard hauled Tony off. Jessie watched until she couldn’t see him anymore and then she marched out of the jailhouse and slid into Maude’s car.
“So, how did it go?”
Jessie shook her head. “That man is a stubborn, stupid fool.”
“And you’re goofy over him,” Maude said, grinning.
“Yeah.” Jessie laughed and shook her head again. “Just my luck.”
“Well, where to now?”
“The federal building. Agent Jameson and I need to have a chat.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Jameson didn’t keep her waiting. When she was shown into his office, he sat behind his desk with his fingers steepled together like some theatrical villain, and a smug expression that Jessie desperately longed to knock off his face.
“Ready to talk?”
Jessie nodded.
“I thought you might be. Have a seat.”
Jessie perched on the edge of the chair in front of the desk. “I’ve got a few conditions.”
“You’re in no position to be making conditions.”
“On the contrary, Agent Jameson, I think you’re the one who is in no position to be quibbling.”
Jameson frowned darkly at her, but Jessie pressed on. “You’ve spent a great deal of money trying to pinch the Phoenix. Broken a few laws along the way. And all you’ve gotten for your trouble is one ex-detective who says he doesn’t know anything. I can’t imagine your superiors are very happy about that. I’ve got information that will make all your troubles go away. I think that’s worth something.”
Jameson’s scowl deepened, but he didn’t refute any of it. “So, what are your conditions?”
Jessie bit back the grin. No need to rub it in. “Immunity. For myself and Tony.”
“No,” Jameson nearly growled. “For Solomon, no. For you…I’ll consider it. Depending on what you can deliver.”
“I’ll tell you everything I know about the Phoenix.”
Jameson’s scowl lessened. “I want the Phoenix himself.”
Jessie shook her head. “I can’t give you the man. He’s long gone.”
Jameson sat back with a huff. “Then what can you give me that’s valuable enough to buy your immunity?”
