AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If it was that easy, why hasn’t it been done before?”
Flynn shifted and took both her hands. “A couple of reasons. Mostly, there are bigger problems. Plus, we’ve never had the data to give us an advantage. You’ve given us that. That’s why I’m hoping the director will approve an operation.”
She frowned. “They might not?”
He shrugged. “There’s always a battle for where to best spend the resources. Everyone wants to use the people and time in the most effective way. With the information we’ve collected and the theories we have, I hope that’s enough.”
“And if it’s not?”
“Let’s not go down that pathway until we don’t have any other option. I think this will work. Jenkins is smart and tough. She hates the red tape as much as anyone. She also knows how to use a weapon when it’s put in her hand. We’re going to be handing her that weapon with all the data. I believe she’ll be willing to use it.”
“Okay. When do we leave?”
Fear grabbed onto Flynn’s heart. “Wedon’t. At least not you. You’ll stay here. Jenkins isn’t going to let civilians in on the op.”
She shook her head. “No. This is my problem. I need to be part of the solution. If anyone goes to Houston, I’m going, too.”
“It’s too dangerous.”
“I’m not suggesting I pick up a gun and walk into the casino announcing I’m looking for my grandfather. But I know the data and I can help.”
“You’ll be safer here. And we have these new inventions called cell phones. You can be in the loop and safe.”
She rolled her eyes. “I wasn’t asking your permission.”
Then she rose and walked stiffly toward the back hallway. Jetson rose from his spot by the fire and sent Flynn a glare. Then the dog followed her down the hall.
Chapter17
Bucked Off
Tessa wished her body could run. It seemed like a good way to purge the fear and mad out of her system. She knew Flynn wasn’t being an ass, but she was still pissed. He didn’t want her in Houston because he didn’t think she would be an asset. He figured she was a liability and they’d be better with her out of the way.
Okay, he hadn’t said any of that, but that’s how she felt. For years, she’d wanted to know answers, but had been too afraid to dig. Now she was digging. Finding answers. Acting like part of a team. It was new for her and she liked it. A lot.
She didn’t want to shrink back into her small life. She liked this bigger life, filled with people she cared about. The only way to keep this new life was to fight for it. She didn’t need to fight Flynn. She needed to fight her own insecurities and the limitations she’d imposed on herself.
Stay hidden. Don’t be noticed. Don’t call attention to yourself. Don’t react.
Don’t. Don’t. Don’t.
This was her chance to Do. And she wasn’t going to miss it.
Tessa laced up her boots and tossed on a jacket. At the last second, she remembered a hat and gloves. Jetson stood when she opened the back door and trotted outside with her.
Creeping down the snow-covered stairs reminded her of those limitations, but she kept going into the chilly air. She walked toward the lake where only a few days ago she’d been measuring habitats for turtles slumbering in the lake. A day when she hadn’t yet met Flynn for the second time.
She wasn’t even sure how many days ago that had been. A week? Two? Regardless of the time, she’d gone through a transformation and she didn’t want to go back. Couldn’t go back. It was time to start actually living a life instead of a half-life. Act instead of react.
Jetson nudged her hand and she reached down to pet him. His tail wagged like it was on a motor. “Want to play?”
The dog loved to fetch, but the snow covered up any sticks she could throw for him. “How about a snowball? You want to chase that?”
It turned out Jetson loved chasing snowballs. She lobbed them in the air and he tried to catch them. When the snow covered his face, he danced with joy.
By the time her arm ached, she was smiling too.
“How about snow angels, Jetson? I need a break.”
