Page 82 of Fatal Betrayal

"Yes. The alarms at the house would have gone off, and they would have responded to the scene."

"Why didn't they have someone watching the house?"

"They thought they'd built a fortress. Flynn said they'd never had a breach."

"Well, they had a big one tonight." He paused. "Who do you think sold us out?"

"I don't believe it was anyone on my team. Even though I haven't worked with them very long, I went through Quantico with most of them. We were friends. We trusted each other."

"That doesn't mean anything. Anyone can betray you, even your best friend." As he said the words, he realized how often he went back to her betrayal. But it really wasn't even close to the same thing as what had happened tonight.

"Well, I still don't think it was one of them," she said, not bothering to defend her actions.

He couldn't blame her. She wanted to get off that endless circle, and so did he. "Then who?" he repeated.

"Agent Burnett."

He was more than a little surprised. "Why would he sell you out?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but we had a strange conversation this morning. God, I can hardly believe it was only this morning. So much has happened since then. He was angry that he wasn't handling the investigation into Elisa's disappearance. He blamed you for that, and he couldn't understand why I would have been a better choice when you hated me. He's the one who outed our relationship to Damon and Flynn."

"And you think he'd send shooters to a safehouse to take you out because he didn't get a case?"

"Yes. The only person who could have known where we were was someone connected to the bureau, and he made it clear that he'd wanted the investigation into Elisa's disappearance." A sudden gleam entered her eyes. "That's it. He didn't just want the investigation; he had to have it. But I was standing in his way."

"Why would he have to have it?" he asked, realizing the answer as soon as he'd asked the question. "You don't think he's involved, do you? Why would he be?"

"I don't know. But there was another case he ran that he didn't solve."

"This can't be about Hannah. After all this time?"

"The mode of kidnapping is very similar."

"But there's an eighteen-year gap."

"Maybe there isn't. Maybe those are just the two we know about."

He thought about her suggestion. "Okay, let's say you're right, and the two cases are connected. Why does Burnett suddenly start going after you and me? We really weren't even thinking about him."

"Because if I was out of the picture, he'd probably get the case. He could protect whoever kidnapped Elisa, the way he did for Hannah. Think about it, Cooper. No one else we talked to would have the connections to get a bomb planted, to attack a safehouse. It had to be someone on the inside."

"You might be right," he admitted. "What do we do about it? I don't know how the FBI works, but I don't think you can accuse a seasoned veteran of Burnett's stature without evidence."

"Which is why we have to get some. I need to think about it." She let out a sigh and scooted up the bed, so she was leaning against the pillows and the headboard. "But I have to admit my head hurts."

"We passed an all-night drugstore on our way over here. I could pick you up something."

"No, I don't want you to leave. It's better that we stay together. I just need to rest a little."

"Or a lot." He got up and turned off the light, then stretched out on the other side of the bed.

She did the same, as they faced each other in the shadowy light of a shitty motel room. There was a brightly lit sign across the street from the motel that cast a glow through the broken blinds, making it easier to see her face.

"Never thought we'd end up together in a place like this," he muttered.

"Life is strange," she agreed. "I never thought I'd see you again. But here we are."

"On a case, just like when we were kids, only there are real people's lives at stake, real bullets flying. Not that that bothered you. You were calm and cool. You never looked scared or uncertain. You just acted. It was impressive."