Galilee Rising(76)

Dobbs glances at me, and I nod. "Yes, sir."

As they leave, Cam and Harry move toward the couch where I sit with Lexie. "Joanna?" Harry asks. "You look like you could use some fresh air. Come outside with me?"

I glance at a red-eyed Lexie for approval, but she just stares down at the shreds of the tissue in her hand. She's beyond caring about anything now. I'm almost there too. Almost. Don't have that luxury now. My turn to be the strong one. I stand and step toward Cam, whispering, "She had nothing to do with this. Go easy on her." My old partner nods. I squeeze his large bicep and walk over to Harry. "Fresh air would be great."

Harry half smiles and gestures toward the sliding glass doors. The air is less than fresh when I step outside with the stench of smoke and Brendan still lingering. Harry shuts the door as I sit at the patio table. My ex doesn't move from the door, he just stares at me with a mixture of anger and concern. As if anyone ever gazes at me any differently.

"Is your life in danger?" he asks, voice hard.

"Yes," I say without hesitation.

"You were in the hospital last night. Did someone attack you?"

"Yes."

"Was it the same person who killed Brendan Darby?"

"I assume so. Yes."

"Is that person Emperor Cain?"

"Yes."

Harry blinks furiously as he processes this. "And I assume Darby was--"

"King Tempest. Yes."

"And his wife is--"

"Lady Liberty."

Harry nods as he deeply inhales and exhales. He does this when he's angry. Very angry. It happened a lot when we were an item. "Jesus Christ, Joanna. What the hell am I supposed to do with this?"

"Not a clue."

Harry takes another deep breath probably in an attempt not to throttle me before sitting across from me. "What the hell were you thinking? After last year--"

"I don't need a lecture, Harry. I know it all. The fact is, I'm in this situation now. The question is how do we proceed from here?"

"You leave town."

"He's an international criminal. He can find me anywhere."

Harry's face falls as he comes to a realization. "You know who he is, don't you?" I keep my mouth shut. His anger overtakes concern. "Jesus Christ, Joanna! The man killed twenty-seven people not even a week ago. He's a fucking terrorist, and you know his real identity?"

"I can't tell, okay? It will ruin a good man's life if I did. Besides, I have the most sophisticated computer system around searching for him along with the best crime fighters on the planet doing the same. He changes his appearance, his name, everything. You wouldn't find him."

He falls back in his chair. "And how dare you not give us the chance? What happened to you? You haven't even been off the force for a year. You used to be true police."

"But I'm not anymore. I'm doing the best with what I got."

"Well, your best apparently isn't good enough, Jo. You gotta trust me here. You used to."

"I still do. Of course I do." I stare at my old boyfriend, my old mentor, my friend and sigh. We need all the help we can get. "I will tell you everything I can." I take him through almost all that I know leaving out only his real name and connection to Jem. It's not my secret to tell.

"I want everything you have. All the files, all the footage, everything," he demands.

"Okay."

"I have to give it to the Feds. I'll say it came from a CI."

"Do whatever you have to. But what about Brendan? Paparazzi were outside when it happened."

"We tell the truth. We suspect Cain put a car bomb in Brendan Darby's car. If your new friends want to elaborate, we will. But don't be naive. People will figure it out."

"I know, but it's up to them to go public. I probably shouldn't have told you as much as I have."

"It's good you did. You're only three people, I have access to hundreds. We'll check out the properties on the list. Discretely." I nod. "I'd feel better if we put you in protective custody."

"And place good police in the line of fire to shield me? Hell no. I'll be fine. If he wanted me six feet under, I'd be there." I rise from the table. "I'll e-mail you the files as soon as I know the computer's clean."

Cam is still interviewing Lexie when I step in. "…if I knew, I'd tell you," she snaps.

"You might as well tell him. I already did," I say.

My old partner and new one stare at me with equally puzzled expressions. Lexie realizes what I mean, face contorting with anger. "You did what?"

"I trust these men with my life. Literally. They're in this now. You said it was need to know, they need to know. They'll keep it close. They're on our side. They can help us, and we sure as fuck need it."