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Zeke’s mom. No wonder she seemed familiar.
Liv accepted her proffered hand. “Olivia Westcott.”
The older woman’s rigid posture, neutral expression, and bone-crushing handshake suggested a military background. Or she’d already taken an intense dislike to Liv.
“Lift your arms, please,” Lynette said.
“For what purpose?”
“I need to check your person for any listening devices.”
“I’m here to collaborate, not to spy.”
Lynette stared at her.
“I’m carrying.”
“So am I.” The woman’s left foot tipped out and she lifted her wide leg pants high enough to reveal a Sig Sauer nine-millimeter cradled in an ankle holster.
Tamping down her annoyance, Liv reminded herself that she was a guest. She set her bag down and lifted her arms, surprised by the woman’s efficient technique, despite herself.
Lynette straightened. “My apologies for the measures it took to get you to this point, but privacy is one of the few things we insist upon. Do you have the signed NDA?”
Lowering her arms, Liv leaned into her diplomatic side. “I understand, Mrs. Blackwell.” She dug the form out of her bag. “The Bureau is equally keen on privacy.”
“Keen on threatening careers, too.”
“I had nothing to do with threatening Cameron’s job.”
“I’m going to be straight with you, Special Agent Westcott, because that’s how I roll. If I catch a whiff of dishonesty or the FBI placing my boys in avoidable danger, I’ll bring the full force of Blackwell power down on you and yours.” Lynette’s voice never rose. “Understood?”
Definitely military. “Got it. You have some signed confidentiality agreements for me?”
The older woman pulled several folded papers from her back pocket. “The entire team signed one.”
She took the forms and dropped them in her bag at the same time the front door opened and Zeke appeared. Her heart skipped a beat, but Lynette’s warning cast a shadow over the nervous excitement of seeing him again.
Zeke’s dark eyes took in the scene and asked, “Everything all right?”
Lynette’s features softened when she faced her son. “Everything’s fine. Just wanted an opportunity to introduce myself to our guest before you boys monopolize her time.”
He kept his eyes on Liv, scanning her body as if checking for injuries.
“I’ll be in my office if you need me,” Lynette said.
“You’re not joining us?”
“I’ll get the CliffsNotes version from Johona afterward. I have a lot of follow-up paperwork to do for last night’s recovery.”
Zeke’s eyes narrowed. “What do you have in your hand, Mom?”
A muscle near the corner of the older woman’s mouth twitched. Liv thought it might have been a smile.
“A nondisclosure agreement.”
“A non—when did we institute that process?”
“Today.” Lynette turned and reentered the Annex.
