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She was already moving to the chair and opening the computer. Tyler used his fingerprint to unlock the machine. Both he and Daniel stood on either side of the chair, watching over Ellie’s shoulder as she plugged the flash drive in and quickly entered the password.
File after file appeared on the screen. She flipped through them in rapid succession, her heart beating fast with excitement at every new document. “Offshore bank accounts. Financial tracking of funds. Safe house locations where they store the weapons and drugs for sale.” Her breath caught as a list of names popped up on screen. Ellie instantly recognized some of them from murders the FBI had investigated. “Sweet mercy, this is a hit list.”
It was a treasure trove of information. Far more than she could have ever expected. No wonder Gideon was desperate to get his hands on it. His name appeared on many of the documents, including the financial ones. No amount of money or influence would keep him out of prison now. She looked up at Tyler. “Do you have another flash drive? I want to make a copy of this.”
He fished one out of a drawer while Daniel used the flip phone to call his boss. Ellie half-listened as she attempted to copy the material to the second flash drive. It wouldn’t work.
“I can’t hear you, Lieutenant.” Daniel pulled the phone away from his ear. He faced Ellie. “I don’t have a signal in here. Be right back.”
When he opened the door, a blast of country music and voices spilled out. Ellie barely noticed. She was too busy trying to copy the files over. Nothing she did worked. Frustration had her back teeth clenching. “Lena locked the files down somehow. We can’t make a copy of them.” She turned to Tyler. “Give me your phone. Hurry.”
"What for?" Tyler asked, but handed it over anyway.
"I'm taking photos of the documents," Ellie explained, already snapping pictures. "I didn't bring my phone to prevent the Iron Fist from tracking us, but we can't risk having only one copy of this evidence." She also needed something smaller and more portable than the laptop, in case they were attacked on their way back to the ranch.
Tyler frowned. "You're keeping my phone?"
"Just temporarily?—"
A crash from beyond the office door jerked her head away from the screen. Ellie half rose. “What was that?”
A second later, the bartender burst in. Her eyes were wide, and beer was spattered across her clothes. “Carl kicked off again.” Another crash followed along with the sound of splintering wood. “We’ve got a bar fight.”
Tyler cursed and ran around the desk. “Not again. They’ll tear the place apart!”
The two darted down the hall toward the sound of flesh hitting flesh and glass shattering. Ellie debated following behind to help break up the fight, but she figured a bar fight in this neck of the woods was common enough that Tyler could handle matters. She went back to taking photos of the documents.
The phone lit up in her hand as a call came through. Unknown caller. Ellie ignored it, her sole focus on creating a second record of the evidence Lena had paid for with her life.
Then a text popped up.
Elizabeth, answer the phone.
She froze. Tyler’s cell rang again. This time, she answered it.
“Hello, Elizabeth.”
She immediately recognized the deep Southern drawl layered with mock amusement and more than a hint of cruelty. Adam Parish, the Iron Fist’s top enforcer. A cold wash of panic gripped her insides, even as a mass of questions muddled her mind. How had he known to call her on Tyler’s cell phone? To text her?
She scanned the ceiling, searching for a hidden camera. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Tyler mentioned his office had been broken into. To hedge their bets, it would’ve been smart for the Iron Fist to install surveillance devices.
“Yes. I can see you.” He laughed. “You’ve been busy. So have I. There’s a little boy with blonde curls and a stuffed dog named Scout right next to me. Here, Owen. Want to say hello to your mommy?”
Ellie’s blood turned to ice as the familiar babble of Owen’s sweet voice came over the line. She gripped the cell phone tight enough to make her hand ache as her body trembled with a mix of fear and fury. “If you hurt him?—”
“Stop wasting time with empty threats. Remove the flash drive from the laptop and bring Tyler’s phone with you. I’ll text you the address once you’re on the road. Oh, and leave the ranger behind. This matter is between the two of us.” He paused. “It’ll be good to see you again, Elizabeth. I’ve been waiting a long time to correct my mistake.”
“You mean shooting me in the warehouse?” She scoffed, despite the terror running through her. “You had your chance atthe diner, Adam. You missed. Two screwups in a row. Hard to be the top enforcer when you can’t take out one FBI agent.”
“Don’t anger me, Elizabeth, or you’ll regret it. Get moving. Tyler keeps the keys to his truck in the top left-hand drawer. No tricks, no secret messages. I have eyes on you, and your son is right here with me. If you want to protect Owen, you’ll do exactly as I say.” Adam hung up.
She was out of time. After ejecting the flash drive, she grabbed it, Tyler’s cell, and the keys to his truck before racing to the door on the opposite side of the office. Humid night air washed over her when she opened it. Ellie stole one more glance over her shoulder, desperately hoping Daniel would be there, that he would see her leaving, but the hallway was empty.
She bolted into the night, her heart pounding with a single, searing prayer.
God, help me save Owen. Spare his life, even if you don’t spare mine.
TWENTY-SIX