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She didn’t say anything right away. “Am I free to gather some of my personal items? Toiletries and such?”
“I’ll ask.” He hesitated, then said, “Harper, you might want to call your boss, Trent Gibson. Do you think he’ll represent you pro bono?”
“Are you seriously asking me that?” Her temper flared, and she shot to her feet, shoving him out of her way. “I’m getting my things.”
“Wait.” He caught her hand, then let go when she shot him a narrow look. “Harper, listen to me. You wanted honesty. I’m giving it to you. I don’t want you to talk to the ATF agents any more without your lawyer present. Do you understand?”
“What about you? Shouldn’t I have my lawyer present when we’re talking?”
It was a good point. “The illegal gun trafficking falls into the jurisdiction of the ATF. And since I’ve been with you the past few days, they’d have to recuse me from the case anyway. I would end up being a witness in your defense.”
“You can leave anytime.” She held his gaze. “Pawn me off on someone else if you’d like.”
“I’m not interested in leaving you, Harper.” That was true on many levels, he realized grimly. Not that this was the time or place to discuss it. “Get your personal things together and we’ll hit the road.”
She turned away and went back to her room. He followed, watching from the doorway. Perkins and Banner stepped back, giving her space.
She pulled a small backpack from her closet and turned to her dresser. Revulsion crossed her features as she bent to replace the underwear the ATF agents had tossed onto the floor. She stuffed a few items into her bag, then left the bedroom to grab a few items from the bathroom. Then in the kitchen, she tossed in another container of prenatal vitamins.
Less than five minutes later, she was back at the chair by the doorway. “I’m ready.”
His heart ached for her. The stoic expression on his face didn’t fool him. She was devastated by this. And he didn’t blame her for being upset.
For a split second, he wondered if Perkins had planted the gun there. Then he quickly shoved that thought aside. No, that was too obvious. If Perkins had planted a gun, he wouldn’t want to be the cop that found it.
Besides, he didn’t believe the ATF agents were involved in the gunrunning operation. They’d been active participants in the shoot-out at the warehouse, same as their tactical team. Banner had saved Flynn’s life when he was wounded.
Buying into the planted gun was lazy investigating. And that irked him. He made a mental note to check in with Rhy when they were back at the City Central Hotel. Rhy would need to brief Assistant Chief Michaels on this latest twist in the case.
And he really needed to convince Harper to talk to her boss. At the very least to put Trent Gibson on notice that she might need his legal services.
“I’m ready to go,” Harper repeated.
“Okay.” He reached for the bag, but she didn’t hand it over. “I’ll carry that for you.”
“I have it.” She wouldn’t look him directly in the eye. “Just get me out of here, okay? I don’t feel well.”
He didn’t think she was referring to her pregnancy. He nodded and opened the apartment door for her. After checking the hallway, he stepped out. “Stay behind me.”
She didn’t answer, but he felt her grab the back of his shirt to stay close.
He wasn’t sure if the ATF agents would follow them out or not. He glanced back over his shoulder but didn’t see them. Most likely they were discussing their next steps without him or Harper there to listen in.
Fine. He needed time to figure out his next steps too. Leading the way down the stairs to the first-floor landing, he moved slowly so that Harper could keep up. At the main door, he scanned the area before opening it.
He shielded her with his body as much as possible as they took the sidewalk down to Rhy’s SUV. They were halfway there when he caught a hint of movement in his peripheral vision.
“Down!” He wrenched Harper down to the cold ground as the crack of gunfire echoed around them. He drew his weapon and returned fire, covering Harper as best as he could considering he had no idea how many bad guys were out there.
And where were the ATF agents?
“When I fire again, run for the SUV, understand?”
Harper’s pale face gazed up at him.
When she nodded, he whispered, “Now!”
He fired at the corner of the apartment building, hoping to keep the shooter in place, seeking cover. Harper rose from her crouch and hurried toward the SUV. When she reached it, she opened the passenger door and crawled inside.
