“Danley broke the news on the recent discovery of Alex's connection with Matanza. You can't get much higher than that. Do you know Danley?”
Morgan shook his head. “My contact in the CIA was Al Leary. But Leary was ambitious as hell and I'd bet he's in Danley's pocket.” He thought about it. “Which may not be bad for us. He might know—” He shook his head. “Later. We don't have time for this. As I told you when you called me back on the phone, we have to get Alex out of here. That doctor I had up here to treat her isn't about to take this kind of heat. He'll be on the line to the police the minute he sees a photo and makes the connection. Have you found a place for her and arranged for a helicopter?”
Galen nodded. “I called from the car on the way here.”
“Wait a minute.” Alex stood up. “You're not listening to me. What part of what I said didn't you understand? I'm not running away and hiding.”
Galen and Morgan exchanged glances.
Morgan shrugged. “I was expecting this. Unfortunately, she's an idealist. She wants to believe the good guys are always good.”
“Nice.” Galen smiled at Alex. “I'd like to believe that too. But it's always better to hedge your bet.”
“And that means?”
“Let us get you to someplace safer and then start a dialogue with the FBI.”
She hesitated.
“Why not?” Galen asked. “If we're wrong, then you'll be able to rub our noses in our dastardly suspicions. If we're right, then you'll be alive and kicking.” His eyes twinkled. “Preferably not us.”
This situation was so bizarre anything could happen. It wouldn't hurt to be cautious. “Okay.” She turned toward her bedroom. “Let me throw some clothes on and we'll get out of here.”
“Good. Galen, you call and tell the helicopter we're ready for pickup.” Morgan moved toward the study. “I'll go down to the bottom of the road and keep watch.”
“You talk as if we may be under siege,” Alex said sarcastically. “As far as I'm concerned, this is merely a precaution. Nothing is going to—” Morgan had come out of the study carrying a rifle. “What are you doing? You look like you're going to war. I don't want anyone hurt, and I won't be party to any violence.”
“You're not invited.” Morgan headed for the front door. “And if it makes you feel any better, I'll try not to damage anyone too badly. I won't be the one to start the war.”
“Are you taking the Land Rover?” Galen asked.
Morgan shook his head. “I'll walk. We'll leave the lights on and the Land Rover in the driveway. I want the house to look occupied. I'll get back here as soon as I see the helicopter. Take care of her, Galen.”
“It's my pleasure,” Galen said to Alex as the door slammed behind Morgan. “Let me know if you need any help getting dressed.”
“Thanks.” She was probably crazy for going along with this, she thought as she went into her bedroom and started to dress. She didn't know Galen, she didn't trust Morgan, and she was only a pawn to Logan. She didn't believe anyone in the FBI was intentionally conspiring against her. So why the hell had she given in to their arguments?
Waco. Ruby Ridge. WTC.
Government agencies that made mistakes could cause tragedy and endless regret. It only made sense to avoid any confrontation until she was in a position to show everyone how ridiculous the suspicions were.
She slipped on her strollers, draped her plaid shirt over her shoulders, and grabbed her jacket. Galen would have to help her put on the rest of these clothes. This blasted shoulder was too sore to punish it anymore.
Galen was leafing through the sketches when she came out of the bedroom. “These are very detailed. You have a good memory.”
“They aren't faces I'd forget. Morgan was determined I'd remember every single detail. He nagged me until I was ready to throw the pad at him.” She added grudgingly, “But he did a brilliant job. He's exceptionally talented.”
“Yes, he is. In any number of areas. A jack-of-all-trades—and master of all of them.”
“Including assassin. He told me he killed George Lester.”
“Before George Lester could kill you.”
She remembered the tingle of shock she had felt when she saw Morgan walk out of the study with that rifle. He looked totally at ease with the weapon, as if it were an extension of his body. “But I think it was too easy for him. Human life is precious. Destroying it should be difficult, if not impossible.” She crossed the room to stand before Galen. “Can you help me get this shirt on?”
“Sure.” He put down the sketches and helped her with the shirt and quickly buttoned it. “Sorry about this. I'm sure Judd didn't mean for you to be—”