Page 142 of Hush

“By being overly conciliatory to Kryukov’s defense, I am somehow empowering the Russian narrative and conspiracy theory that the CIA was responsible for the murders, and that will allow the Russians to invade. I’m, in fact, paving the route for their tanks straight up Pennsylvania Ave, all the way to the White House.” He caught Mike’s gaze. Mike stayed quiet. “Any word from Kris?”

“Nothing.”

Tom leaned back and gulped down a mouthful of wine.

“I don’t think you’re being overly conciliatory to them.”

Tom shrugged. “I’m fighting my own doubts pretty hard. I’m second-guessing my gut reactions to rulings on testimony.”

“Who wouldn’t? Trial today was a circus maze mixed with a boxing match. I don’t ever think I’ve seen a courtroom that tense.”

“Neither have I.” Not in the mob cases he’d prosecuted, the organized crime hits, or even the other terrorism cases he’d been a part of. “Ballard is wound up tighter that I’ve ever seen. He’s going to blow.” And he’s going to try and take me out, too.

Mike squinted. “Has he said anything to you?”

It was Tom’s turn to stay quiet. Mike rolled his head toward Tom, fixing him with a hard stare.

“He… said something along the lines of he’d do anything to stop me.”

“Jesus Christ.” Mike pitched forward, clasping his hands together. He breathed out slowly, carefully. “Tom…”

“It’s Dylan Ballard, Mike. I’ve worked with him for years. He’s a hothead and he’s an unmitigated asshole, but he’s not a violent guy.”

“You said yourself that you’ve never seen him like this. If he’s pushed over the edge, who knows what he’s capable of? People snap. Badly.”

“He’s definitely being pushed. This isn’t him. He’s not this bad, not normally.”

“Honestly, Tom? I really don’t care what he’s like normally. I only care that he’s a potential threat to you. He made a threatening statement. He’s disrespecting you. This isn’t appropriate.”

“But I can’t do anything about it. I can’t remove him from the prosecution, not because he’s an ass. The whole lot of U.S. Attorneys would be fired if that was the standard. I also can’t interfere with this case. I can’t.”

“I can’t let you get hurt. Or be in any kind of danger.”

Their gazes met. Tom sighed. He reached for Mike. “You’re at my side every possible moment. I believe I am safe.”

“I don’t want you alone with him anymore. What about when you’re in chambers? I haven’t been there—” He stopped short, and then cursed. “Damn it.”

“What?”

“This morning. When you and both attorneys were meeting about Kryukov’s attack. Villegas called me to the courtroom. He wanted to talk about the security plan. Go through things we’d already discussed. Ask me questions about information for your detail.”

“You think he was trying to probe for weaknesses?”

“No. Everything he asked for was in my daily reports. I think he was trying to keep me away from your chambers.” Mike’s eyebrows rose. “And Ballard. You two were alone in there.”

“For five minutes.”

“It only takes ten seconds.”

Tom stroked his thumb over the back of Mike’s hand. “What do you recommend, Inspector Lucciano?”

“I don’t want you alone in chambers with him anymore. I want to be in there. I need to be a deterrent.”

“Okay.”

Mike smiled weakly. “Okay? Just like that?”

“Yes. I trust you. Personally and professionally. I can’t say that and then undermine your advice.”