Page 166 of Seven Deadly Sins

“Burgers?”

“Sounds good.”

They bought lunch and scarfed it down on the way to the office. Since they’d been told they’d be sleeping in shifts in vans during the standoff, they’d taken changes of clothing inside and shoved them under their desks. The bags with their disguises joined the other clothes. All except the wig. Harper took it and the hair dye to the women’s restroom.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t lock the door to keep others out. She’d have to add the dye to the wig, then stash it somewhere safe until she could rinse it out. With the dye applied, she tucked the wet wig in a plastic bag from the trash bin and stashed it behind one of the toilets.

Thirty minutes later, she retrieved the wig and plunged it under the faucet as the bathroom door opened and Sheila walked in.

She eyed the wad of hair in Harper’s hand and the scissors on the side of the sink. “What are you doing?”

“Dying a wig.” She put on a “duh” expression.

“Why?”

“I don’t want Robert Thompson to recognize me.” Best if she kept the conversation as close to the truth as possible.

“I doubt the man will have time to pick you out of the more than a hundred law enforcement officers who will be there, but go ahead and waste your time while the rest of us are making plans to lock up a madman.” She opened a stall and stepped inside.

Harper was doing the same thing as all the other officers. Trying to stop a madman.

~

“Why is Detective Scranton dying a wig for a disguise?”

Liam glanced up from his desk. “What?”

She narrowed her eyes. “What are the two of you up to?” She glanced at the bag at his feet. “Those clothes aren’t exactly your style. The two of you are planning on going in alone, aren’t you?”

“That would be putting my career at risk.” He crossed his arms.

“So, you aren’t denying it.”

“Look, Sheila.” He got to his feet, gripped her arm, and pulled her as far away from the crowd as he could. “We’re all heading out tonight. Things will get ugly very quickly. Harper and I have a chance to stop this before it escalates.”

“I have to tell Payson.” She took a step back.

“Please.” He reached for her. “This is important. Thompson wants us. We’re willing to accept the risk if it saves lives.”

She shook her head. “You’ll be killed.”

“Possibly.”

“This was her idea, wasn’t it?”

Liam chose not to answer.

“You would never have been willing to risk life and career for me.” Her eyes shimmered. “Am I right?”

“At one time, I would have given you the moon. But now, I realize what love truly is. I’ll do whatever it takes to try and keep her safe. Even if that means entering the lion’s den.”

She squared her shoulders. “I’ll give you one hour from the time I notice you’re gone. Then, I’m telling Payson.” She whirled and marched away, not glancing Harper’s way as she headed for her desk.

“What’s wrong with her?” She shoved the wig into the bag with the other clothes.

“She figured out what we’re doing.”

“How?” She jerked upright.