Page 18 of Deadly Force

As I try to focus on the road, and not on her questions, I start to pray—for help, for mission clarity.

By the time we reach Brooke’s tiny house, my focus is back on target. This is a temporary assignment. Just another job.

As soon as I confirm there’s no viable threat to Brooke, I’m out of here.

Brooke

Caleb doesn’t say a word as we exit the vehicle. It’s like an internal lever has been tugged; he’s back to Action Man mode.

With a sigh, I let him open the front door, pulling my thoughts together and away from the hulking man now inside my home.

As I wait, my phone beeps in my pocket. I slide my hand inside, and my stomach flip-flops at the message on the screen:

I need to meet.

Glancing inside, I angle my phone and type a hasty reply.

I was outside the library last night. Where were you?

Seconds pass. No reply. Caleb appears andgestures for me to enter. With a grumble resembling a bear, he retreats, leaving me standing in the hallway.What is up with him?

Ignoring his boorishness, I head into the kitchen, willing her to reply as I pull out a mug and switch the electric kettle on. I need to type up my notes, and I have to check in with Lawrence and let him know Caleb accompanied me to the retirement community.

From where it sits on the table, my cell chimes.

I glance over. Unknown number.

Caleb is nowhere in sight, so with my heart jumping to my throat, I snatch up the cell and press it to my ear. “Brooke Weston.”

A shaky female voice echoes down the line. “I can’t talk for long… he’s I think he knows I contacted you. I can’t do this.”

Heart in my throat, I ease off the chair, close the door, and hurry back to the table. “You’re going to be fine. We have whistleblower laws.”

She exhales a long, shuddering breath. “I don’t know… you don’t know him. He’s connected.”

I straighten. I need to meet with her. Now.

A hasty prayer slips out before I speak again. “I know this is scary. But you came to me for a reason. I never reveal my sources. No one will know it was you who came forward.”

“I… just?—”

She’s unraveling. Every second that passes, I can feel her resolve slipping through the cracks.

“You can do this. I’ll help you. I’ll be with you every step of the way. You won’t be alone.”

Nothing.

Seconds tick on, making my hope deflate further.

“Promise me he won’t find out,” she finally says.

I chew on my lip, uncertainty making me hesitate. But I can’t quit now. She needs reassurance, and if I don’t give it to her, I’ll lose her for good.

“I promise. Nothing will happen to you,” I say.

She releases a shaky breath. “Meet me tonight. Same time. Tumamoc Hill. Park in the Anklam Road lot across from St. Mary’s.”

My toes curl in my sneakers. Caleb is not going to be happy about that.