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“Um, I need to speak with you about some sensitive data surrounding the Miles Arrieta case. Maybe if we go to the ladies’ room, we can—”
“Uh, no.” Kyle frowned. “If you’re going to discuss anything related to our ‘partnership,’ you do it here, where I’m present. Two-way street, remember?”
If looks could kill, he’d be six feet under.
Kyle met Natalie’s gaze and didn’t give an inch. He might be a lot of things right at that moment, but stupid wasn’t one of them. He and his ex-sister-in-law might’ve reached a tentative accord, but that didn’t mean he’d let her talk privately with Hayley. He liked Hayley well enough, but better safe than sorry.
The waitress brought glasses of water and menus for the new arrivals. As the glasses were being handed around, Natalie dropped her napkin and bent to pick it up, then pushed to her feet.
“Where are you going?” Kyle asked, frowning.
“I really do need to visit the ladies’ room. Alone.” She gave him a peeved stare. “Be right back.”
Once the table had settled down again, Kyle turned to Hayley. “Listen, Nat and I found two notebook computers the other night when we searched the bar storeroom Williams used. We each took one, but Nat says her tech team at the Agency mentioned complications. I’m not sure exactly what that means, but they want your help figuring it out. Think you can take a look?”
“Sure.”
“Great.” Kyle reached under the table to grab the small computer. “It’s right—” But when he stuck his hand into his messenger bag, the compartment was empty. His gaze flew to Natalie’s chair. Crap. Her purse was gone too. “Hayley, can you go check the bathroom for me?”
“Um, sure.” She gave him a concerned look. “Be right back.”
“What’s wrong?” Gage asked.
“Natalie took the notebook I had with me.” Kyle pushed to his feet, craning his neck to scan the room. Hayley disappeared inside the restroom, then came back out moments later, shaking her head.
“Looks like we got a runner,” Scotty said.
It didn’t make sense. Natalie had said she wanted to talk to Hayley, and he’d facilitated that, so why would she run? Of course, most of what Natalie did made no sense to him.
Kyle clenched his jaw, his appetite gone. He’d let himself get distracted—by his anger toward her as well as his attraction. He hadn’t been thinking straight. The same damned thing he’d warned his team about before every mission. Distraction and success didn’t go together. He knew better.
“Kyle?” Spencer said. “What do you want us to do, man?”
At least that answer was crystal clear. “We need to find her. Fast.”
* * *
Natalie hurried down Broadway, head down and Kyle’s notebook tucked securely beneath her arm. Running had been a stupid move, but when he’d forbidden her to talk to Hayley alone, something inside her had snapped. She didn’t like being treated like a peon. So she’d grabbed it from his messenger bag and climbed out a window in the bathroom.
Then she’d texted her handler and told him she had the other notebook in custody. Not exactly fair play under her and Kyle’s temporary partnership, but she had her long-term goals to consider. Kyle wasn’t going to be in her life for much longer—he’d made it more than clear that he didn’t want to spend a single moment more than necessary with her. Prioritizing him over her career didn’t make sense, especially when her career was the only thing she had left. With Nick, she’d allowed herself to think she could have the happily ever after she used to dream about as a kid: a home, a family, love, stability. But the chance of all of that died right along with Nick.
For now, she wanted to meet her handler and get this other notebook to the tech team so they could figure out Arrieta’s plans and stop him. They had half the puzzle already. What was on Kyle’s notebook’s hard drive should provide the missing pieces.
She ducked into a shadowed alleyway between two brick buildings, then hid in her designated rendezvous point behind a dumpster. Talk about the glamorous life of a CIA operative. But she hadn’t thought she’d have to wait in the spot for very long. Doug should’ve been here by now. The guy was never late, and when she’d texted him, he’d sounded more than eager to get his hands on this computer.
Natalie checked her watch again, then scanned the area. Nothing but trash and graffiti. The putrid smell of rotting meat stung her nose, and she edged away from the dumpster.
Five more minutes passed with little more than a stray cat to keep her company. Finally, footsteps echoed from the entry to the dead-end alleyway. She tensed and placed her hand on the gun holstered at her side. She’d been careful to avoid being followed, but one never knew.
Probably the newcomer was Doug…but maybe it wasn’t. Either way, she needed to be prepared.
Natalie stood on tiptoe to try to peer over the top of the dumpster. She was tall for a women, at five foot seven, but the debris was piled so high she couldn’t see anything. Cursing, she crept forward and held her breath as she peeked around the corner of the bin.
As the person approached, a flurry of pigeons took flight, their shrill cries and beating wings drowning out the sound of footsteps. Natalie drew her weapon and clicked off the safety, just in case. What if Arrieta had followed Doug here and killed him first before coming for her? What if he’d found Kyle and his team and—
“Lower your weapon, Matthews,” Doug said. “It’s just me.”
Blinking, Natalie dropped the gun to her side. “You’re late.”
