Page 62 of Desperate Justice

Allison walked to the edge of the patio onto the parking lot. Gripping the railing preventing curious bystanders from slipping down the hill into the river, she spoke over her shoulder.

“What gives, Rafe? Why is Diana in trouble?”

Ah, so you don’t care about your own welfare, just your sister’s.

He hesitated in telling her. “That’s classified.”

“If it’s classified, then I shouldn’t worry about it and go about my business. Either level with me, Rafe, or zip it.”

Saying nothing, he crossed his arms.

She fingered the edge of her braid. “Listen, Rafe, we need to trust each other. I’m not a drug dealer. You know me. You wouldn’t have hired me as your CI last year if you didn’t think I could handle the job or if you didn’t trust me. So tell me why suddenly you’re launching into overprotective he-male mode.”

His mouth quirked. “He-male?”

“Yeah, the kind of guy who bangs his chest and insists that a woman can’t defend herself, but she needs a big strong guy to do it. Like your friend Sam is.”

“Sam’s not a chauvinist. He’s not accustomed to women like you who ride huge bikes and compete. He was trying to get under your skin.”

“Well, he’s nothing like you. You’re far from the kind of guy who would call a woman ‘little lady’ and insult her. You know I can handle myself. That’s one thing I like about you.”

This convo was going sideways. Before he could slip and start asking her other things she liked about him, he put the brakes on.

“Sam and I are exactly alike when it comes to some things—doing our jobs and protecting those under our care, especially when they receive valid threats.”

Her eyes shadowed. “You got a threat against me, and Diana. That’s why you’re all he-male.”

Sighing, he blew out a breath. “Yeah, you could say that.”

“Exactly what kind of threat?”

Aw hell. He was already in deep, and knowing Allison, the more she knew the better precautions she’d take. He told her about Marty and Hernandez and the info found on Marty’s phone.

“I don’t know what the initials mean, or why you’re both on the list. I’m on it as well, with no initials. Hernandez doesn’t know who I am, but it’s clear he wants me checked out,” he said.

Allison looked confused. “Diana, I get it. I mean Hernandez has an interest in her because she’s marrying his godson. But me? What do you think?”

“I believe it stems from our visit to his home. The man isn’t stupid. He hasn’t evaded arrest or the grave all these years for nothing.”

“You want me, and my sister, to hide from this? Why, if you caught the guy?”

Rafe gave her a steady look. Her mouth opened. “You think there’s more watching us.”

“I kept getting the feeling someone was tailing our group. Nothing concrete, just a feeling.”

“But you make your living from trusting your instincts, just like I do when I think a patient has something more wrong with him, or her, than the tests show. What do we do about this, Rafe? If I withdraw from this competition, isn’t it going to raise more suspicions than if I proceed with my plans? Diana, I get it. She’s not entered in any events anyway, and besides, Paul is flying up here so they can elope. She’s got marriage on her mind, not motorcycles.”

“When is Paul getting here?”

“He had to finish a project at work, so not until the weekend. Saturday.”

“Two days away. Doesn’t give me a lot of time.”

“Time for what?”

He changed the subject. “Is the cone competition the only one you registered for at the rally?”

“So far.”