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“So we’re Fight Club?”
“What’s that?”
“A movie. No one talks… never mind. Please continue. There’s a security company there, so we’ll stay away from the Northwest unless it’s necessary to go in, right?”
“Exactly. Colorado has a high altitude. Training here will make all the operations easier to navigate. And yes, Phillip’s brother will be okay with us,” I try to sound casual about it. There’s something I haven’t discussed with Derek, and what if he decides to back down because I’m taking on another task?
“Why do I feel like there’s an ulterior motive behind it?”
I don’t respond and focus on the road, but of course, he can’t let it go. “Finn, I have to know. If you’re going to have secrets between us, I’ll walk away.”
I growl. “He wants me to help him run a private WITSEC.”
He groans. “Are we taking on more than we can handle, Finn?”
“No. I trust us. So far, I’ve recruited the best of the best. He needs a hand with a project, and we can provide him with the right services. We can extract the witnesses and hide them here. I believe we can solve the cases while protecting them so they can return home.”
“Oh fuck, you’re taking on more than we can handle,” he confirms.
“No, we’re capable of that and more.”
“So the safe house is part of the program?”
“No. I have a safe house near every major airport and a few small towns.” I should make a new list and share it with him.
“You’re spending a lot of money. Let me know when you want me to foot the bill,” Derek offers.
“Will do, D. Thank you for going along with this and not ditching me.”
“Someone has to watch after you. I’m not going to let my hard work go to waste because you think playing secret spy is fun. You have to promise that if things become too much to handle, you’ll ask for help.”
“Like what?”
“I have no idea, but we’re not in this to die. We’re in this to protect and do the right thing. People are counting on me to stay alive.”
Who are these people? Is he talking about his family? His boss? I could ask for more, but maybe I’m out of line. I should have the same goal, staying alive. Dad would be crushed if something happened to me.
“Fine, we’ll ask and accept help if we’re in over our heads.”
Is that ever going to happen?
ChapterFifty-Six
Derek
April 21st
The visit to Heartwood Lake was prolific but overwhelming. We discussed the plans with the architect, who’s going to draw the blueprints next week. We found a contractor who can start the project early next month.
The sheriff is a grumpy old man with zero manners, but he has a gorgeous daughter. Her name is Regina, and she happens to be the town’s veterinarian. Though we try to stay invisible to the town’s inhabitants, we meet a few other key people, like the doctor, Wren Seymour. She shadows us all day. She’s so interested in our presence, or in Finn, that when he offers her a contract to work for us if we have any emergencies, she agrees—and even signs an ironclad NDA.
Finn lets me into another layer of his plan. He’s going to hire doctors around the country and the world who can help us when we have medical emergencies but won’t ask questions or report us to the police. I offer my brother as a tribute. Ben can be my guy in New York. He has friends in San Francisco and probably other places.
Will he be willing to do this for me? I hope so. Piper is pushing me to get closer to him. This could be a great bonding activity for the two of us, right?
Before we leave, Regina receives some puppies who were rescued the night before from a breeder that’s mistreating them. While she’s figuring out where to house the puppies, I offer to take one of them with me, promising she’ll be in good hands. Piper is going to adore her.
The pup sleeps in my arms most of the flight, but I have to put her in the small kennel Regina sold me when it’s time to drive her home.
