Page 90 of Every Last One

Two seconds, then, “I’ll need more than that.”

“This is how we end this thing before anyone else is hurt.”

“So you plan to hand cash over in person?”

She knew he was trying to stress the risk involved with doing that. She could argue that she’d pulled it off in the past, but realized that was the exception not the standard. “I’ll do what needs to be done.” As she said this, maybe Kreiger had a point. She was so concerned about the lives of others, but where did her own safety weigh in?

“I don’t think I can justify that.”

“And how do you think it will go over when you tell Director Hamilton that Jordon Maddox died because we didn’t stick to the deal?”

“A deal you never should have made.”

“But I did.” She batted away at all the bitter frustration bubbling up inside her. “I realize this isn’t standard procedure.”

“No, it’s a desperate measure.”

“Under extreme circumstances.” She paused for a few seconds. “Let me end this.”

“Fine,” Elwood huffed out, “but you better hope this turns up roses. You’ll see the money within fifteen minutes.”

Leaving fifteen and cutting it close…“Thanks.”

Elwood ended the call, and she looked up at the sky. It was a clear night, and soon the stars would be shining brightly, indifferent to the chaos down here.

She took a few deep breaths. A run along the Potomac was the balm she needed right now, but it wasn’t an option, and it wouldn’t wash away reality. Over a thousand lives were on the line, and her mother was fifteen minutes down the street facing her own health scare. Sandra took the time to try Dana. When she answered, Sandra got to the point. “How is Mom? What are the doctors saying?”

“Are you finished with your job for the day, Sandra?” Dana said, destabilizing Sandra’s emotions. It was unlike Dana to respond to a question with one.

“I’m not.”

“Well, there is news, Sandra.”

Just that much soured her stomach. “Tell me.”

“The doctor wants to wait until you get here.”

Sandra’s eyes filled with hot tears. The world around her felt like it was spinning. It was never good when one had to hear the diagnosis in person. “Ah, okay.”

“She’s resting right now, so don’t worry yourself, please. There is nothing you could do if you were here. Your job is important.”

Sandra sniffled, thanked Dana, and hung up. She continued to grip on to her phone. The results must be life-changing, possibly life-threateningfor the doctor to hold off.

“Sandra?” Brice’s voice reached her before he did. She had just enough time to wipe her eyes and pocket her phone.

“Elwood’s getting the money over. Should be here in fifteen minutes.”

“Good. Are you okay?” He angled his head, peering into her eyes.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Why?” The question was a challenge. She could hear her stuffy nose, and in the light, he probably saw that her eyes were wet.

He pointed at her. “That right there.”

“What, right where?” She made a show of looking around her.

“You’re not as good at hiding your personal shit as you think you are.”

“You say that because you saw me at my worst.” Having Olivia kidnapped certainly qualified as that.