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Fenn gestured at Bridger’s notes. “What do you have so far?”
Bridger ran a hand over his face, trying to shove away the exhaustion clinging to him. “Mostly a whole lotta nothing.”
“How about we take a crack at it?” Fenn offered.
“Good idea.” Bridger rose. “Let me get Jane. She should be in on this.” Besides, walking might help get his brain back in gear.
He found her standing in the doorway of Kellen’s bedroom. Her gaze was tender, watching the boy sleep with a protective air that made Bridger’s heart swell.
Bridger leaned against the doorframe beside her. He couldn’t help but admire her strength and resilience amidst all the chaos. That vulnerability she allowed herself to show used to terrify him. Now, though, he found himself drawn to it, wanting to lean into those feelings.
Another time. Maybe.
He touched her elbow. “We’re working on a plan. We could use your input.”
“Of course.” She agreed immediately, following him back to the dining room.
The team looked up as they entered. Paige and Kate had joined the meeting.
Tai tapped the table with a thick finger. “Looks to me like we’ve got enough evidence to prove Jane’s innocence.”
Bridger pulled out a chair for Jane and took the one next to her. “Agreed.”
“What we need is a trusted contact in law enforcement,” Mason added.
Conclusions Bridger had already come to. “Agreed.”
Tai shared a look with Fenn, then propped his elbows up on the table. “What we need is a magician.”
“We need the Amazing Romero,” Fenn said.
Bridger mulled that over. Pegs trusted him, obviously, and he had helped them out already.
“Can’t Pegasus help?” Jane asked.
Bridger shook his head. If only. “She’s been out of the game too long. Romero’s contacts are far more recent.” He let his focus drift, thinking this through. “I’m not seeing a downside.”
Mason stared up at the ceiling, obviously thinking. “Worst case, the guy says he can’t help, right?”
Kate weighed in. “If he was going to cause trouble, he would have contacted those dirty agents already.”
Bridger eyed Jane. “What do you think?”
She met his gaze without flinching. “I say we go for it.”
“Okay, then.” Bridger’s fingers danced over the screen of his phone, crafting the message with precision and care. The sound of the team’s breathing, the distant hum of the furnace, and the occasional creak of the floorboards filled the silence, punctuated by the low murmur of conversation as they waited.
“Sent.” He pocketed the phone, his heart pounding with equal parts anticipation and dread.
An hour later, he paced the length of the kitchen, his thoughts racing and his heart pounding in his chest. He tried to focus on the sound of running water as Mason whipped up his gourmet version of hot chocolate, but his mind kept circling back to the magician. Could he help? Would he?
Mason handed out mugs, filling the air with the cheerful scents of vanilla and Belgian chocolate.
Mug in hand, Jane approached him. “Any word yet?”
“Nothing.” He forced a smile, hoping to reassure her even as his own doubts gnawed at the edges of his confidence. “It’s late though, the guy’s probably still on stage.”
“Right.” Jane nodded, her eyes filled with worry and determination. “That makes sense.”
