Page 171 of Nash Falls

Nash heard a noise out in the hall. He went to his door and opened it just a crack.

Lynn Ryder was gliding down the corridor. She stopped and knocked on Rhett’s door. He opened it and she slipped inside.

Nash grabbed the small bag holding his surveillance equipment, quietly left his room, and crept into the empty bedroom next to Rhett’s. He attached a listening device to the adjoining wall, donned a pair of earphones, and instantly heard their voices.

“She is not pleased,” said Ryder.

“But we’re making progress,” retorted Rhett.

“The progress is not fast enough.”

“Then what exactly would you suggest?” said Rhett heatedly.

“It is not my place to suggest. It is your place to act. Nash hasalready caused damage. He got into restricted databases. The FBI has executed search warrants. People have been detained and held for questioning. International law enforcement agencies are engaged and coordinating. This is serious.”

“Well, it washergoddamned fault that Nash got away in the first place.”

“Do you wish for me to report to her that you said so?”

Nash thought he could hear the clink of ice in a glass. He imagined Rhett taking a sip of whatever he was having in order to give him more time to think of an adequate response. Nash had seen him do that in business meetings, and in encounters with his father.

Rhett said, “I think that the last thing we need to do right now is fight amongst ourselves. We’re only going to get through this by working together. And I’ve got a lot on my plate and things keep being added to it. Hell, now even his wife thinks Nash is innocent.”

“Excuse me?” said Ryder.

Nash felt his heart skip a beat.

Rhett must have sensed that he had said something potentially dangerous because he immediately began to backtrack. “It’s nothing. Just saying stupid things.”

“Has she said these stupid things to thepolice?” asked Ryder.

“What? No, no, she wouldn’t. I’m sure of it.”

“There is only one way to besure,” said Ryder.

Now Rhett was pleading. “She’s out of her head, okay? She takes pills. No one will believe her. Least of all the police.”

“So she takes pills? That is good to know. And useful.”

“No, wait. Please. Just leave her out of this. She is not a danger to us, I promise.”

“Your promises mean nothing to me, Mr. Temple.”

Nash heard Ryder leave. Then Rhett said, “Shit, I’m sorry, Judith.”

Nash poked his head out the doorway and saw Ryder walking down the hall. She was already on her phone. The Asian men had not come to the estate with them, but they had to be staying nearby, he knew. And he felt certain that she was contacting them right now.

Nash closed the door, grabbed the listening device, slipped it and the earphones into his pocket, and stepped out into the hall.

“Who you?”

Angie was staring at him from across the hall in her bedroom doorway.

“I’m… I work for Rhett.”

“Et?”

“Yes.”