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Ryder’s world narrowed to the voice coming through the car speaker, his heart pounding like a bass drum.
“His name is Robert. Do you wish to hear the rest of the message?”
“Yes.” His reply was hoarse. Desperate.
Brilliant woman. She’d found a way to contact him.
“I think he served in the military with you. The deal with Liu fell through. Looking for another buyer. I’m in a house, Arlington maybe, close to Reagan National and a golf course, small cottage, blue siding, rental, called Blue Haven.” The voice assistant paused to indicate the message was complete, then said. “Would you like to reply?”
“No.” What he needed was to find Nathalie.
Turn around. Where was a bloody exit when you needed one?
“Call Lachlan mobile.”
“Calling Lachlan mobile,” the voice assistant chirped.
Up ahead. The sign said no U-Turn. Ryder ignored it, whipping the Suburban into an opening in the southbound lanes.
Lachlan answered. “Any news?”
“Nathalie sent a message. She’s in a rental cottage called Blue Haven near the airport and some golf club in Arlington.”
Arlington.
He was in Arlington now.
How did he get off this bloody parkway?
The airport was on the northbound side, past a thin barrier of trees, the planes so low it seemed as if their landing gear would brush the roof of his vehicle. The exit was up ahead. He followed the signs for Reagan National.
Ryder drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, the need to act shooting adrenaline through his veins as Lachlan relayed the information to everyone assembled in the conference room.
“Sophia said it’s probably a vacation home listed on one of those rental sites that you can book online. Nathan’s on it,” Lachlan said.
“I want that address as soon as he comes up with it.”
“I may have another buyer. But it’s going to take time to confirm, and we can’t stay here.” Robert scrolled through his phone.
Nathalie watched him warily. He’d laughed after his cryptic comment about whether she was going to survive this ordeal.
As if it were a joke.
There was no reason for him to kill her. He had what he wanted. Her technology.
Right?
Except she could identify him.
Her chest tightened, trapped in a stress-induced vise. He’d never hidden his face, nor his association with Ryder.
But Angie could also identify him, and he hadn’t killed her. She’d been breathing when they left her apartment.
Hadn’t she?
Spots danced in Nathalie’s vision. She pushed the chair back from the table and put her head between her legs.
“What’s the matter with you?” Robert’s voice held a note of impatience.