Page 18 of Dangerous Affair (The Phoenix Three #2)

“H e’s dumping something into the lake,” Liam said.

“That’s never good.” The video was of a man who had a steel drum turned over on its side, and a colorless liquid was flowing into the lake.

The camera panned to where more drums behind the man had either been already dumped or were going to be.

“We need to find out what that stuff is.”

“Whatever it is, it’s making children sick.” After the video, there were photos. Still shots of the drums, then one of the lake.

It wasn’t a big lake, which also wasn’t good, since the liquid didn’t have much space to disperse.

The next picture was of a section of the lake that had a sandy shore and children playing in the water.

There was a playground in the background and picnic pavilions, so the area had been created for people to enjoy the lake.

“That’s Black Bear Lake,” Quinn said. “I took some photos of it.”

He leaned closer to the monitor when she moved on to the next photo. “What’s that building?” The picture of a large structure was taken from a distance. “Can you zoom in on the name?”

“Sure.”

“Hanson Textiles,” he read when the name was enlarged. “We need intel on that business.”

“It’s a textile mill. I saw it when I was snooping around. It’s about a half mile from the lake.”

He called Grayson, and when he had his teammate on the phone, he said, “Get Cooper on here with us. I have an update.” A minute later, Cooper was on the call with them.

Liam told them what they’d found on the thumb drive.

“I need you to look into Hanson Textiles,” he told Grayson. “We need to know who owns it.”

“I’m on it,” Grayson said.

“As long as I’m in Hope Corner, I’ll see what I can learn on this end,” Cooper said. “The big question, if those drums belonged to this textile mill, are they still dumping whatever’s in them?”

That was a question Liam wanted an answer to.

“And exactly what was in them. Once we find that out, we’ll be able to notify the authorities.

We know that Garrison was planning to blackmail someone.

The question is who. And was this person the one who killed him?

Or maybe he sent someone to do his dirty work? ”

“I’ll do a deep dive on the mill as soon as we hang up,” Grayson said. “What’s your plan? If our bad guys know about Quinn and think she has the thumb drive, you’re not safe there.”

“Agreed. Quinn’s going to email you a copy of what’s on the drive, and then we’re going to pack up and come back to Myrtle Beach. It’s where she’ll be the safest.”

Quinn scowled. “Maybe you should ask me what I want to do.”

“So, you’re good with staying here knowing it’s not safe?”

Grayson chuckled. “Sounds like it’s time for Coop and me to sign off.”

“See you tomorrow.” After disconnecting, he crossed his arms and raised a brow. “Back to my question. You want to stay here even knowing someone who’s already murdered knows where you live?”

“No, of course not. I just don’t like being told what to do. I would appreciate being a part of the decision.”

“My bad.” He wanted to grin at her disgruntled expression, but he doubted she would appreciate that. He very much liked that she stood up for herself. “Allow me to remedy my blunder. I’m of the opinion that we need to skedaddle ASAP. What would you advise on this situation, Miss Sullivan?”

She scowled at him. “Stop being so entertaining.” One corner of her mouth twitched before she caught it.

“Why?”

“Because I don’t need to be liking you any more than I already do.”

“Sorry, but I can’t help myself, sugar pie.” He almost laughed when she wrinkled her nose at the endearment. Somehow, he’d known that would rile her up.

“No, no, no. Don’t start with the pet names. My name is Quinn. Period.”

“Got it. I’ll try to refrain from affectionate cute little names. Now that we’ve got that cleared up, we really need to leave before unwanted visitors show up.”

“Give me Grayson’s email, so I can send this to him, and then we can do as you advise and skedaddle.” After he told her Grayson’s email address and she’d sent him copies of the files, she handed him the thumb drive. “You’re in charge of keeping this safe.”

He put the drive in the front pocket of his jeans.

While she was packing her cameras and accessories, he retrieved his weapons bag.

After putting on his shoulder holster, he moved his gun from at his waist to the holster, then slipped a shirt over his T-shirt, leaving it unbuttoned, hiding the gun.

With another gun secured in his ankle holster, and a knife in a sheath at his belt, he zipped the bag up.

She’d disappeared into what he assumed was her bedroom, and as he waited for her, he went to a front window and looked out. All seemed quiet outside, but his skin prickled with unease. It was a warning he’d learned to pay heed to.

“We need to go, Quinn,” he called.

“Do you see anything?” she asked, coming next to him, carrying her camera bag and a small tote.

“No, but the hair on my neck is standing on end, so I’m uneasy about us walking out to the car. I should’ve parked it in your garage.”

“Would Grayson be unhappy if we left it here?”

“If he has to choose between our safety and the car, he’ll pick us. Why? What are you thinking?”

“Get your stuff and come with me.”

He followed her through the kitchen and after she set the alarm, they went out to the garage. “Well, well, what do we have here? Is that yours?”

“Yep. And she’s fast.”

“I just bet she is.” He whistled as he eyed the black beauty, a Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

“My dad said I could have any car I wanted for my graduation present from college, and this was what I wanted. It’s almost a crime that she sits when I’m gone so much, but Dad does enjoy driving it, too.” She tossed him the keys. “You drive.”

“Be happy to.” They loaded their bags in the back, and once they were seated in the car, he said, “Do you have your gun on you?” She’d told him she knew how to shoot, and he was going to trust her on that.

“Oh, I was in a hurry and forgot to get it. I’ll be right back.”

He put his hand on her arm. “No, I don’t think we have the time.” That sixth sense he was known for was screaming that danger was near. “I can loan you one when we get to Myrtle Beach if need be.”

“Okay. Let’s get out of here.”

“All right, time to see if anyone’s waiting for us.” He leaned over and caught her eyes. “Listen carefully. If we do have company, or pick up any on our way, you do everything I say when I say, no exceptions.”

“Sir, yes, sir.” She saluted him. When he narrowed his eyes, she shrugged. “Sorry, couldn’t resist. I will obey you without question when it comes to our safety.” Her lips ticked up in a grin. “Can’t promise that at other times. Just so you know.”

“I wouldn’t expect otherwise.” He glanced up at the visor. “That the garage door opener?”

“Yes.”

“I’m going to start the car, then hit the opener. Be ready for anything.” He prayed he was wrong and bad guys with guns weren’t waiting for them.

“Just try not to let them shoot up my car.”

“I’ll do my best.” Before he started the car, he leaned over and gave her a quick kiss.

“That was for good luck. Ready?” She nodded, and after the car was running, he pushed the opener.

The door rumbled open. As he was backing the Porsche out, the sound of breaking glass pierced the air, and the house’s alarm blared.

“They’re breaking in.” Fear tinged her voice.

He wished he could take the time to reassure her that he’d keep her safe, but his one goal at the moment was to get her away from danger.

He pressed down on the gas pedal, the tires screeching against the garage floor.

Clear of the garage, he stopped long enough to throw the gear from Reverse to Drive.

Rubber burned as he gave the Porsche gas and spun it around.

“Oh, God,” she screamed as a man wearing a black face mask stood in front of them, a gun pointed at their windshield.

“Get down,” he ordered, and as she’d promised, she instantly obeyed, lowering her head to her knees.

“Stop or I’ll shoot,” the man yelled.

It was time to play chicken, as there was no way he was stopping. If he did, they’d both end up dead. He gunned it and headed straight for the man. The man dived out of the way. Shots were fired at them from behind, but he didn’t slow down.

Two white SUVs were parked at the end of Quinn’s driveway. One was empty, and one had two men in it. Liam managed to get the plate number on one of the cars as he blew by them over the grass. “Sorry about your dad’s lawn.”

Fortunately, there wasn’t anything blocking his view of the road, and not seeing any cars coming, he took the turn onto the street at a speed that if he’d been driving another car, they probably would’ve fishtailed.

The Porsche, though, handled the maneuver as if it had been only waiting to show off what it was capable of.

The occupied SUV tore off after them. He grinned. “Catch me if you can.”

“Can I get up now?”

“Yeah.”

“Who are they?” she said as she leaned around the headrest and watched the car chasing them.

There was fear in her voice, and he wanted to knock some heads for scaring her. “I don’t know, but we’ll find out. Sit back and make sure your seat belt is tightened. We’re going to see what this baby can do.”

“She can do whatever you ask of her.”

“Counting on it.” The SUV was coming up fast on their bumper, and Liam was sure the intention was to hit them and run them off the road.

The Sullivans’ house was outside Savannah city limits, in a somewhat rural area.

The road they were on was a two-lane and not heavily traveled.

He needed to lose the SUV before they got to heavier traffic.

The last thing he wanted was to put any innocents in danger.

“Hold on. We’re going turbo.” He pushed the gas pedal to the floor, and the powerful engine roared to life.

As they raced down the narrow road, trees blurred past them in a green-and-brown whirl.

The SUV behind them struggled to keep up, and its headlights grew smaller in the rearview mirror with each passing second.

The Porsche’s tires gripped the road as he took a sharp curve faster than was safe.

An intersection with a four-way stop loomed ahead. “Which way will take us to an area we can get lost in?”

“Left. There’s a mall and a bunch of restaurants.”

“Perfect.” Now the trick was to get lost in traffic.