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“I didn’t think so, either.” He shrugged. “But it appears that this is turning out to be a groundbreaking case in a number of ways. I had a hunch it might be when I heard about the explosion. That was why I shifted everything around and was on the next plane out of Johannesburg. I realized how it would affect you to see all those agents you’d been working with blown to kingdom come. It would have been different if you hadn’t known them. You would still have cared, but it wouldn’t have struck that deep. I knew it was going to tear you up and I had to be there for you.”
“It hurt, but I was handling it.”
“I wasn’t,” he said simply. “I could see that you were diving in and there was no way you were going to let go. And with every new development that popped up you sank deeper, and I was watching it pulling you in. I could see that damn Alpha beckoning to you, and I knew that you’d go after him.”
“Of course I would. You knew that from the beginning.”
“But I didn’t realize that the fact that you’re keeping me at a distance would bother me that much. Ordinarily, I could have dealt with it, but I was worried and scared about what you’d decide to do at any given minute and that I might not be able to give you support when you needed it the most.” He ruefully shook his head. “And then I screwed up and did something I knew would piss you off. What are you going to do about it? Banishment won’t work, because I’m not going anywhere. You’d do better to just forgive me for being a manipulative asshole and keep an eye on me.” He grimaced. “Because you might need me if Griffin does come up with a plan that doesn’t suck. You know you can count on me, and Griffin is an unknown quantity.”
“He seemed sincere this time.”
“He might be. He does care about his agents. But that doesn’t mean he’s brilliant, only efficient. We might need more than efficient to outsmart that Alpha who killed Jackie Gabert.”
Kendra shuddered. “I just want to catch him soon. This Milo must be fairly intelligent if he’s managed to maintain relationships with Barrett and no one knows how many other cult followers. It sounds as if he kept them spinning around him like balls he tossed in the air.”
“Then you obviously need me. I’m an expert at shooting down balls or drones or any other flying object. I assume that means that I’m forgiven?”
“It might.” She was gazing at him in resignation. He was smiling and he was the Lynch she had always known: charming,intelligent, witty, and sexy as hell. He had been honest with her when she’d called him on how he’d tried to sidetrack her from cooperating with Griffin. And how could you not forgive someone for wanting you to be safe? “Though it can’t happen again. That came close to being an insult, Lynch.”
“It was actually a compliment. It’s all how you look at it.”
And he could make black look snowy white. It was better not to go into any details with him. The last thing she wanted right now was to cause a rupture that would send him away from her. It was enough that she’d stated her displeasure and made it clear she wouldn’t tolerate it again. “Did you find any hazards while you were looking around the pool area?”
“A couple. But the place is enormous. I haven’t had time to go through the entire facility. I’ll just keep watch over Tricia for the next two days while I’m checking it out and see if it’s manageable.”
“It had better be manageable,” Kendra said. “It might be the difference in the color of a medal to her if she can’t train here. We’d have problems persuading her to budge.”
“We’ll worry about that when it happens,” Lynch said. “In the meantime, I’ll shadow her when she goes back to her dorm and make certain that’s safe for the next couple of days.”
“And I’ll go back to the condo tonight and tell Olivia about Tricia, see if she’ll help out occasionally. It would help to have someone in the same building on the alert.”
He chuckled. “That sounds a bit peculiar considering Olivia is blind.”
“Only if you didn’t know how sharp Olivia is,” Kendra said. “I’m surprised you’d even mention it.”
“Just preparing you for Tricia’s possible reaction. The world you live in is different from practically any other you might run across. It requires a certain indoctrination into its subtleties.”
“Then she’ll have to learn to accept all the nuances and she should feel lucky to be able to do it. Not only are the people in my world extraordinary, but most of them had to fight to reinforce those differences. It causes them to become a unique breed of human being.” She smiled. “Like you, Lynch. So don’t knock it.”
“I wouldn’t think of it. I like living in your world, Kendra. I’m delighted you permit me inside the gates.” He turned toward the door. “One can’t say it’s not stimulating.” He winked mischievously. “And sometimesfantasticallysatisfying.”
Chapter
10
7:45P.M.
Next Day
UC San Diego Aquatic Center
Ididn’t expect to see you here tonight,” Tricia said warily when she saw Kendra coming from the parking lot. “I saw Lynch inside checking out the area and he asked me to wait, said he’d take me back to the dorm. I told him what I’m telling you. I’m going to stroll down to a coffee shop a couple of blocks from here and meet a few friends. I don’t need you. I thought I was clear that I’m going to try it with just the FBI surveillance. Lynch said they’re on duty.”
“You were very clear.” She smiled. “And Griffin’s men are keeping their eye on you. But when Lynch told me what you planned, I thought you wouldn’t mind if I went with you as far as the coffee shop. I don’t think I really look like law enforcement, and I wanted the chance to explain why you should let us help you.”
“No, you don’t look like a cop.” Tricia made a face. “But you’re semi-famous. Someone might recognize you.” She sighed. “Look, I know you’re only doing what you think is best for me. I appreciate it. But I want this chance to see if the Gabert woman was wrong. I like everybody thinking I’m normal and not shying away from me because they can’t be sure they might become collateral damage. The only way I want to be famous from now on is in the sports pages. You said that you’d give me time.”
“I didn’t believe you’d be strolling around the city.”
