“Really? You never did that at the safehouse.”
“Because it wasn’t my house, so no way would I change the furniture.”
“But living with me, you’d move the furniture around because it would be your house, is that what you’re saying?”
Maren stopped. “Oh. Oh goodness. That’s what it sounds like, huh?”
Colin squeezed her hand. “Yeah, babe. It does.”
Colin’s phone rang through the car speakers. Elissa’s name came up.
“Ironman.” He used her call sign.
“Welcome to Cali, Hailstorm. I’ve got you on the Five headed north. Any tails?”
“None that I’ve seen,” Colin told her.
“Excellent. I’ll be tracking any vehicles around you anyhow. Watchtower is already in place. He’s been waiting down the block for three hours now. As soon as you get the package, Lilac, Carr will give Spooky the address for the meetup. He will tail you there. I’m the eye in the sky, he’s on the ground. If Dekker or anyone else is following, we’ll know.”
“Thanks, Ironman,” Maren said.
“Almost home, Lilac. Safe travels.” Elissa disconnected.
A few minutes later, they exited the Five and drove west down a palm-lined street full of art galleries, expensive condos made of white stucco, and trendy restaurants. The blue Pacific peeked at them between buildings.
“It’s beautiful here,” Colin said. “You sure you wanna live in Colorado?”
“It is beautiful. And I do want to move. We can always come back and visit. But I don’t want to live here anymore.”
Colin got lucky and found a parking space right in front of the building. The law office was in the same building as a bank, which explained why Voss hadn’t sent Dekker in to toss it like he had Maren’s house. Cameras were everywhere, and those were the ones Maren could see. She imagined every business on the block, from the jeweler to the designer clothing store across the street, had cameras that would capture everyone going into and out of the building.
When Colin turned to her, he looked like he was ready to punch her. As he spoke, he pointed at her like he was scolding her.
“Game faces, babe. Look scared. I’m going to come around to your side and let you out, then I’ll walk you to the office and wait in the hall outside. I want you to look like I’m dragging you to your death, understand?”
“Got it.”
“And understand that I love you. And I’m not gonna let a damn thing happen to you.” He stuck his finger in her face and she jolted backward.
Before she could answer, he was out of the SUV and storming around the front. He opened her door and grabbed her arm. He wasn’t grabbing her hard, but she cried out anyway, just in case Dekker or some other Voss goon was within earshot. Colin slammed the door, hit the lock, and then he practically frog-marched her to the entrance.
The polished marble lobby was empty. The directory said the law office was on the second floor. They took the elevator. Even going up, Colin maintained his act. The elevator doors opened, and the office was on their left, facing the street.
If hammock was wrong…
Dammit, tell me the code word for sure, Mira.
You already know it. Iknowyou know it.
That was the problem with imaginary voices—they only knew as much as you did, even if they pretended to know more.
Last chance, Mira, if it’s not hammock, we’re sunk.
But Mira’s voice told her,You’ve got it, sis.
They crossed the hall and Colin stationed himself outside the office door.
“Don’t try a fucking thing, understand? You won’t get far.”
