She deliberately glanced away.
“I’m not going to hide anything from Fitz,” she said quietly.“We need help and I don’t know who to trust but you’ve told me that you’ve never had problems with him in the past. And he’s been a good friend to us since we’ve been here. He certainly has interesting connections. So I’ll tell him the entire story and let him decide whether he wants to help us out.” She made a face. “He may decide to run the other way.”
“Maybe. I don’t think so.”
“Well, if we do get lucky, I’ll just have to do my best to protect Fitz and his guys from suffering for it, won’t I? I’m already feeling guilty enough about accepting your help.”
“Bullshit.”
Kendra chuckled as she quickened her pace down the hill. “I’ve given up on that battle. I’ll be right down . . .”
Fitz appeared to be just as irritated as Jessie had told her when he drove into the pine forest where they were waiting a short time later. He was driving a truck and had brought five of his men, also driving trucks and Range Rovers, as well as one man preceding the entourage on a motorcycle. Fitz jumped down from his Toyota truck in the rear. “Good morning, ladies.” He handed them each a thermos of coffee. “It was an interesting evening you provided for us last night, and I believe you’ll agree that we were accommodating, Kendra. But it seems that you’re going to be a bit more demanding in future and might require more personal attention. We have a business to run, and I’m afraid that it can’t be the kind of slapdash arrangement we had to throw together last night. I can’t allow my men to be put in a position that might prove fatal. I hope you understand.”
“Perfectly,” Kendra said soberly. “And I appreciate yourindulgence.” She dropped down beneath the nearest tree and poured coffee into one of the paper cups that Fitz had provided. “Suppose we all sit down and have this coffee, which I’m certain will be excellent, while I give you the details of what we’ve been up against since we arrived here. Then you can decide whether you want to be involved. I can’t even offer you a definite payment at present. Though I will make sure there’s compensation.”
Fitz dropped down on the ground beside her and waved his hand toward Jessie, who was now sitting a few feet away from Kendra. “Jessie and Jake Brice have always been very generous. I’m sure it will all work out.”
“Don’t count on them,” Kendra said bluntly. “This is my problem. The only thing I can promise you is my gratitude and that I’ll return the favor in any way I can, in either cash or service. I do pay my debts, Fitz.”
“I like you and I’m inclined to believe you.” He added gently, “But I do have a business to run. Though I admit I don’t like the way you’ve been treated and I’m ready to listen if you want to convince me to toss my hat in the ring.”
She grimaced. “I didn’t think it would be easy. You’ll have to make up your own mind. All I can do is just ask you to listen and then give me an answer. I’ll start at the beginning—earlier this week at my condo in San Diego—because that’s where it started for me.”
She could feel his eyes fixed intently on her face as she began to speak . . .
She tried to be as brief as possible and still be totally honest. When she finally finished, she sat back on her heels and looked him in the eyes. “Yes or no? I’ll understand if you want to bowout.” She smiled with an effort. “I’m sure your other clients don’t give you this kind of threat to contend with.”
“You’d be surprised,” Fitz said absently. “Situations change, and one must adapt.” He was studying her expression. “You’ve gone to great lengths to help this Adam Lynch. Why? Is he that worth saving? Tell me about him.”
How to explain Lynch? She’d always found he had to be experienced. She drew a deep breath. “He’s worth it to me. And he’s one of those rare people who has the brains and talent to reach out around him and change the lives and situations of anyone he chooses. He’s made a career of it over the years.” She shrugged. “Most of the time, the choices he makes are good and worth following to hell and back. That’s why Cambry resented him so much.” She added, “And that’s why I’ll keep on looking for him whether or not you decide to help us. I repeat. Yes or no?”
Fitz was silent for a long moment. Then he grinned as he got to his feet. “I believe I need to meet this Lynch fellow. We might find each other useful, and I’ve always found that valuable in a complicated world like this. I imagine you’ve found that also to be true?” He glanced at Jessie. “I hope you explained to Kendra here that our help may be limited. It’s not as if we have an army at our beck and call. We’re just a group of chums who make their living by knowing how to get things done. Sometimes I can extend the protection, but I have to be careful with the lives of my buddies.”
Jessie nodded. “Kendra wouldn’t have it any other way, Fitz. Just tell her what you can do.”
He nodded. “I’ve already started by giving orders to get the information you asked for. That was a given. I should have itby tonight.” He turned back to Kendra. “But keeping you safe while you’re searching up here in the wilds is a different matter.” He was frowning thoughtfully. “We’ll have your camp set up within the hour, under cover of the trees and brush about a hundred yards from here. That way, it’ll be impossible to see us from the air or from any path they’re likely to take. I can leave three men here to keep watch. If they notice any suspicious activity, they’ll report it to you. You’ll then call me, request additional men, and get the bloody hell out of here. Is that procedure sufficient for your needs?”
She nodded. “I couldn’t ask for more, Fitz.”
“Sure you could. But it’s a good start. I fully intend to make you keep your word about returning all favors in kind, so I’ve got to deliver. However, that also means you have a definite yes from me.” He motioned to the man driving the truck. “Now both of you get out of our way while we set up those tents.”
“One more thing.” Kendra stood up. “I want to see you again before you leave the camp. Okay?”
Fitz shrugged. “No problem. Unless you make it one. I’ll see you when I finish up here.” He began shouting orders at his men, who were getting out of the vehicles.
Jessie grinned at Kendra as she got to her feet. “Success. So what’s our next move?”
“We don’t get cocky, and we do what Fitz told us to do.” Kendra turned and headed back toward the path leading to the hill. “Since we’re not needed here, we go back up to finish the job I started and scour the rest of that area for any clues Lynch might have left. But I want to be back down here before Fitz leaves. And there’s something I want to do first, and I’d like a little privacy. Come with me.”
Jessie was gazing at her curiously as she followed her up the hill. “What are you up to, Kendra?”
“You like to be included.” She grinned over her shoulder. “I’m including you.” She stopped as she reached an area surrounded by boulders. “This should do fine.” Leaning against the boulder beside her, she took the gloved hand out of her backpack and carefully unwrapped it. “Remember I told you that I needed more time to figure out how to use the hand? Well, it all came together for me.” She used the end of her jacket to wipe some of the mud from the device and brought it closer to look at. “I remembered what you said about that soldier who had been wounded, and I thought about the numbers.”
“Numbers?”
“I was thinking that those numbers on the stone had to do with a mathematical equation that might solve an algorithm. But then I wondered if I was overthinking. Maybe it was a copy of a number that had to do with the structure of the hand itself.”
“And you’re excited about it?”
