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To be certain he had this right, Eb said, “Hudson’s dad was responsible for the missing girls when Hudson was growing up.And responsible for Hudson’s mother’s death.”Eb paused.“But what about the women who died while Hudson was an agent?”A deliberate question.He wanted to watch every moment of her reaction.“What about the women Memphis Camden believed had been murdered when Hudson was on international missions?”
She did not break eye contact.“What do you think happened to them?”
“I think they were ordered hits.”
A slight movement of her head thatcouldhave been a nod.“Hudson was not his father.He didn’t get off on torturing and killing innocent girls.”Her head turned back toward the door.
“Mary.”
She stiffened.
“Mary was the girl that Hudson loved and lost so long ago.He told me that she changed everything for him.”
“Some people can do that.”Her voice held a whisper of sadness.“They can change you for better or for worse.”She still didn’t open the door.Instead, her body turned toward him.“How will Naomi change you?For better?Or for worse?”
“Better.”He was sure of it.“She makes me want to bebetter.”
“Are you certain of that?”
Yes.
“I think she makes you want to destroy,” Madeline stated softly.“She makes you want to destroy anyone who tries to hurt her.If Hunter hadn’t pulled that trigger at the safe house, what would you have done?I heard the report from the officers who took your statement when they arrived on the scene.You were the person standing between Naomi and Clark.You had no weapon.If you had moved to the side, if you had protected yourself, she would have been shot.”
Yes.
“Can’t help but notice the bloody sleeve on your shirt.And that nice, new bandage you’re sporting.The bullet grazed you.Not because you moved but because Clark did, am I right?When Hunter shot him, Clark’s aim was thrown off.Otherwise, you’d be dead.We would not be having this conversation.You’d be dead.Maybe Naomi would be, too.”
Eb’s lips pressed together.
“Just so you understand what I’m saying here—you’re notbetterif you’re dead.Falling for the wrong person?It just makes you weaker.Not stronger.Remember that.”She spun away.Opened the door.
Two uniformed officers still waited outside the interrogation room.
They glared at Eb.
She’d been right.Clean or dirty, Clark had been one of their own.And the detective was the dead one.
“Play nicely,” Madeline threw over her shoulder at Eb.
Screw that.He wasn’t in the mood to play at all.
The door closed.
He was already halfway across the room.He grabbed for the knob.Hauled the door open.
The cops immediately blocked his path.
Naomi couldn’t believethat she was back in an interrogation room at the police station.But at least she wasn’t alone this time.
Henry sat near her feet.Naomi perched at the small table, in a freakishly hard chair, but Henry’s warm body pressed against her.He’d been with her every moment that she’d been at the station.
He’d been with her, and a blue-eyed, way too watchful man named Colson Reid had been her shadow.One glance, and she’d pegged him as CIA.Button-downed.Watchful eyes.Entirely too still and assessing.At this point, it was way easy to spot the agents.
A knock at the door had Colson rising.Leaving.Shutting that door behind him without any word to her.Figured.The agent hadn’t seemed really big on friendliness.
Just leave me to sit and stew.
She wanted to see Eb.