Jessie shook her head. “I always finish the job. I’ll leave you at the condo. Now call Metcalf and tell him he can meet you outside your building. I’ll phone Olivia and tell her that we’ll be a little bit later than she expected . . .”
CHAPTER
3
TWO HOURS LATER
KENDRA’S CONDO
Metcalf grimaced as he watched Jessie wave goodbye to both of them and roar off down the street on her motorcycle. “That was awkward. When she rides off into the sunset like that, I always feel like I’m part of a presidential parade and should stand at attention. I thought she’d back off when you told her she didn’t have to escort you. I’m not exactly menacing.”
No, not menacing at all, Kendra thought. Just a good-looking, intelligent FBI agent who was always likable and helpful. “Jessie grew up as an army brat, and she has an obsession about duty. She knows you’re no threat.”
He smiled dryly. “You mean, unlike Adam Lynch? Everyone takes a step back when he’s around. How is he these days?Whatever he’s doing, Griffin has been told to make certain that we give him our cooperation.” His lips twisted. “That can be hard to do when we don’t know what the hell the great man is up to at any given moment.” He was suddenly frowning. “But he shouldn’t involve you. Even Griffin wouldn’t approve of you being forced to help him with his plots and plans.”
“He doesn’t force me.” She shrugged. “Sometimes things just happen.” She smiled. “And then I have to call on my friend to help me when the going gets rough. I’ll appreciate you putting names to the faces on those photographs. I’ll feel more comfortable if we can put them away soon.”
He nodded. “I’ll get right on it.”
“Thank you for being there for me.” She opened her front door and headed for the elevators. “I’ll see you soon.”
She got on the elevator and punched the button for Olivia’s condo.
She drew a deep breath as the doors closed. It had been a strange, wild day and it was not over yet. She still had to tell Olivia only enough so she wouldn’t worry, yet try to be honest as well. Anything else would be a violation of their relationship that had withstood so many years. She looked down at the handbag she was carrying and slowly shook her head. There was no way to make this situation easier for Olivia. She had to give the same honesty that they had always shown each other.
When the elevator door slid open, she hesitated for just an instant and then walked over to the door of Olivia’s condo. She heard Harley start up his usual howling uproar and said quietly, “Put Harley on the patio, Olivia. We have something to talk about.”
A moment later, Olivia threw open the door and was pullingKendra into the foyer. “What is it? Lynch? I thought something might be wrong when Jessie phoned and said there could be a delay. Is he dead or just hurt?”
Kendra stared at her, stunned. “Neither, I hope. We just don’t know. This morning, you were the positive one. Now you’re jumping to the worst possible outcome.”
“Because that’s the life he lives.” Olivia paused. “That’s what I’ve been afraid of for you since the first time I met him. I could see it happening and you being hurt.” Her voice turned suddenly fierce. “You’ve been hurt enough. I don’t want it to happen again.”
“Well, I won’t bury my head in the sand because I’m afraid that somethingmighthappen. I’ll do what I should do and fight to keep him safe, which is what he’d do for me. Now, do you want to know what I found out today?”
“Of course I do. There’s no way I can help you otherwise. Do you think I’d let you go into this without me?” She went to the bar and poured them both a bourbon. “Sit down, have a drink, and then tell me how I can keep you from screwing this up.”
Kendra took the glass and sat down on the couch. She took a sip of bourbon. “My case. My rules. Agreed?”
“Within reason. As long as Lynch doesn’t cause any problems.”
“You mean like dying?”
“That would definitely be a problem, so you’ll have to avoid it. Now talk to me.”
And so Kendra talked to her for the next thirty minutes and then answered questions for another ten, which Olivia found totally unsatisfactory because Kendra knew so little.
“There should be some way to find out more from Griffin.”Olivia was frowning. “Can’t you do an information trade of some sort?”
“There might be if I knew anything of value,” Kendra said. “The only thing I have to trade is the package that I found in the seal fountain, which Lynch must have hidden.”
“Isn’t it time you looked inside that package? You don’t even know what you’re dealing with.”
Kendra looked at her purse. “I will. But whatever it is, I’m not turning that package over to anyone but Lynch. According to Griffin, this mission was highly important and ultra-sensitive. I can’t be sure that Lynch trusts anyone in the FBI or Justice, so I’m not taking the chance.”
“Then you’d better find him damn quick,” Olivia said curtly. “Because those guys are taking potshots at you already.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Kendra said dryly. “I doubt if he’s anywhere nearby, or he would have contacted me in person instead of going through you.”
