Page 165 of Seven Deadly Sins

“I’d have found a way to go myself.” She hitched her chin, giving him a defiant look. “I said I would do everything possible to prevent as many deaths as I can. I meant that.”

“That’s my goal, too, but I thought we were a team.” He crossed his arms. The romantic feelings from the night before flew out the window. Not even a kiss would dispel the pain of knowing she’d go on without him.

“Might as well head to work.” He put his half-eaten breakfast in the garbage and set his plate in the sink before marching from the room.

He gathered his gear, made sure his weapon was loaded, slid his badge into his pocket, and then headed for the jeep. Feelings of love or not, he would keep things on a professional level from now on. His heart panged at the thought. He’d really thought the two of them had taken a step forward the night before.

As soon as Harper had gone to bed, she’d started devising a plan without him.

Chapter Five

Why couldn’t Harperand Liam stay in the warm fuzzy of new love instead of the pain of perceived betrayal? She wouldn’t have done anything without mentioning her plan to him first. She would have gone without him, though. That’s what a good detective did, right? Serve and protect? Which meant doing what it took for the good of the people of Oakdale.

They’d stayed silent on the way to the office. Liam avoided her most of the morning, remaining at his desk or conversing with Director Payson. Occasionally, Sheila would drift by, but whatever he’d say to her sent her on her way.

Harper smiled. He’d kept secret the fact he’d once been engaged. Her secret had lasted less than a day. His had been the whole time they’d been here. Ugh. It wasn’t his fault. She was the one who said to keep things professional. That most likely cut out any personal backstory.

She shot him a glance. He laughed at something Agent Harris said. She was glad they could laugh now, because she’d hear a rumor circulating that they’d been gathering outside the compound at nightfall. There wouldn’t be any joking once that happened.

By lunchtime, she’d had enough of Liam’s cold shoulder. Since he was going to infiltrate the compound with her, he had to go to the thrift store with her. At noon, she approached his desk.

“Ready for lunch?”

“Sure.” He grabbed his jacket and followed her to the jeep.

This time she drove. If he wasn’t going to talk to her, she wasn’t going to let him drive her car. “I’m sorry.” She shouldn’t have kept her idea to herself. “I really would’ve told you. Did tell you at breakfast. Did you want me to wake you up?”

He glanced at her sideways. “Of course not. I’m being silly.” He reached for her hand. “Your plans scare me. Fear makes me grouchy.” He smiled.

“Still a team?”

“Still a team.” He raised her hand to his lips. “Always.”

Feeling a hundred percent better, she parked in front of the local thrift store. “They don’t have a lot, so do the best you can. If we are caught once we’re in the compound, there’s some consolation in the fact we probably won’t be shot on sight.”

“I agree. Robert will want to kill us himself.” Liam thrust his door open. “I’ll give you fifty bucks if you wind up looking like a guy.”

“Deal.” She laughed and followed him into the store where she headed straight for the men’s clothing section.

Wasn’t hard to find denim overalls. She chose a pair one size too big, a checkered shirt, then went to find a hat. The tricky part would be hiding her long hair…ah. A gray wig that would suffice once she gave it a haircut. In the odds and ends section, she found an open package of Halloween makeup. All that was left was a handlebar moustache that looked as if it were made from horsehair and a bit of glue. It didn’t match the hair, but if people didn’t look too closely, it might work. Better yet, she’d dye the wig to match the moustache.

She glanced over to see Liam flicking through the clothes, then rushed to the changing room. A few minutes later, the wig still on the long side, but tucked up under a faded baseball hat, she strolled past Liam as if she were looking for something.

Up and down the aisle, even bumping into him at one point and mumbled, “Excuse me,” in as deep a voice as she could muster.

Liam glanced up, back at the rack, then back to her with wide eyes. “Guess I owe you fifty bucks. That’s good.”

She grinned, blew on her fingers, then rubbed them on her shoulder to congratulate herself. “Having any luck?”

“I think I’m going to put on about twenty pounds.” He held up a pair of khaki cargo pants that were way too big for him. “This ought to do for a middle-aged man. I didn’t shave this morning, so the stubble will be thicker each day. I’ll get a pair of eyeglasses and put clear lenses in them. I can get that done at the optometrist office quick enough.”

“Sounds perfect. I’ll play the part of your son.” It would all be fun if not for the reason for the disguises.

Harper changed back into her regular clothes, then paid for her purchases. While Liam ordered glasses with plain glass lenses, she went to the drugstore next door and bought hair dye as close in color as possible to the fake moustache.

They wouldn’t be faking their identities for long. Just long enough to get close to Robert. That meant their disguises had to be just enough that they weren’t readily recognized.

“We’ll have to grab lunch on the run.” Liam held out his hand for the keys. “We’ve been gone long enough as it is.”