One Sizzling Night(26)
Fuck.
* * *
SHE’D WOKEN UP with a headache that wouldn’t quit, and a heartache that was a hundred times worse.
It wasn’t that she was in love with Logan. There hadn’t been time for that. But he was in the wheelhouse. Dead center, in fact. But that was one future she’d never see. It still hurt to think he believed she would offer sex for his silence.
But then, why shouldn’t he? He’d watched her brazenly flirt with Holstrom.
Damn, she couldn’t afford this. Lingering over the mistakes she’d made, and then throwing out scenario after scenario about how to fix it. Always coming up empty.
She’d been up for a while. Long enough to make herself a pot of coffee and some dry toast before Logan entered the picture. With only half a pot left, she wasn’t going to be any more prepared to talk to Neil. Although she’d probably find a way to alienate him, as well.
As soon as she was safe in her bedroom again, she said, “Call Neil Patterson.”
A moment later, there he was, and just seeing her boss made her feel marginally better. He looked wide awake, already dressed in a gray suit, with that silk tie he’d bought in Milan.
“You look like hell,” he said.
“I feel like it, too.”
“What’s going on?”
“Don’t look so worried.” She stifled a yawn. “I’m not planning on doing anything more foolish.”
“More foolish? I think you’d better start at the beginning.”
Clearly she should have finished the coffee before she called him. “I’ve got a date with Holstrom tonight,” she said. “Dinner at his home.”
“What happened to waiting until the final night?”
“He’s leaving for China, but mostly, he asked me. I don’t have any reason to believe he’d ask me on Friday. So, this is the shot I’ve got.”
Brow furrowed, Neil didn’t look convinced. Finally he said, “I don’t like it.”
“Frankly, I don’t either. But I’m not backing out now.” She looked down, and what she wouldn’t give for a neck rub. “Sorry if I sounded curt.”
“You’re fine,” he said. “But how about you tell me what’s really going on?”
“The date’s not enough?”
Neil’s eyebrows rose.
Kensey sighed. “I said something stupid to Logan. It’s got nothing to do with the plan.”
“Which plan would that be? The one where you try to break into Holstrom’s secret room? Because that’s not going to happen. It’s a fortress.”
“Actually, I plan on having him open the door for me.”
Neil closed his eyes for several long seconds. “I don’t even want to know what you promised him for that privilege. What the hell was I thinking, suggesting you seduce that snake?”
“I’ve alluded. Not promised.”
“He’ll take first, answer questions later.”
“I don’t think you realize how gigantic his ego is.”
“Me?” Neil leaned forward. “I don’t know what about my ex–business partner?”
“You said yourself you didn’t know him anymore.”
“Trust me. The man’s character was dubious back then, and I guarantee you success hasn’t changed him into a saint. He’s a louse, and he doesn’t care about anything but his possessions.”
“Which is why he won’t—”
“Stop. Just stop. First of all, your hands are shaking.”
“I’m not saying I’m not nervous. By tonight I’ll have it together. You’ve seen me under pressure.”
“Regardless, you’re jumping the gun. Look, my PI is close to breaking Seymour into a pliant, cooperative witness. After Seymour met with the insurance adjuster, Phil followed him to a parking lot in Queens where he met with Detective Brown. Phil couldn’t hear them, but he’s got pictures and video. They argued, and Seymour was about ready to stroke out.
“Tonight, Phil’s going to suggest that Seymour turn on Brown before it’s too late. Seymour would not do well in prison, and Phil will make sure he believes that’s only moments away. Do you see why the risk you’re taking is nuts?”
Kensey swallowed. It was so tempting to back out. “I can’t let this opportunity pass. I’m positive Holstrom has more pieces than the Degas. For all we know Rembrandt’s Sea of Galilee, or Vermeer’s Concert are in his private gallery. I can take pictures of everything.”
“You’re positive, huh?”
“Yes.” She drew herself up straighter when she realized just how neatly she’d stepped into Neil’s trap. Of course she couldn’t be positive. “A man with that ego isn’t going to waste the opportunity to show someone like me his treasure. He thinks I want a job, and that my ethics could be shaky.”
“You’ll end up in prison,” Neil said. “Will it be worth it?”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, boss.”
“Do something for me.”
A week ago she would have said, sure. Anything. But so much in her life had changed in just five short days. How was that possible?
“What’s that?” she asked with caution.
“At the very least, would you please ask Logan and Sam for help? They’re experts at this kind of thing, and you’re not even close.”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I will not involve them. And that’s all I’ll say about the matter.”
His mouth opened, but he didn’t speak. Not for a while. “Call me before you go, all right? Maybe Phil will have turned Seymour in by then.”
She managed to nod before Neil disconnected.
At least she hadn’t cried. That had to count for something.
15
LOGAN HAD HEARD her in the kitchen. Heard her shut her bedroom door. She probably hadn’t gotten any more sleep than he’d managed. Not that he gave a shit. In fact, he hoped she’d lain awake worrying about what he might tell Holstrom.
To say he’d had a miserable night was an understatement. He tried to remember the last time he’d let such pure rage have its way with him. Definitely before he’d made it into special ops. One of the most important lessons he’d learned early and well was that anger got people killed. Over the years, he’d learned how to modify his reactions. Of course he still got angry, but a combination of mindfulness and meditation gave him the ability to emotionally disengage. Observe the situation from the outside.
He’d used every technique in the book last night, but he’d wasted his time. He kept hearing her plead with him to keep her secret from Holstrom.
Each time the words rose to the surface, or he closed his eyes and remembered that look on her face, it caught him in a vortex of fury. It didn’t matter that they hadn’t known each other very long, he’d given her his word. Maybe the people Kensey hung out with made a habit of lying to her, but even that wasn’t a good enough excuse.
Mostly, though, he was pissed off that she’d played him. All the way up until last night. Even after he’d caught her in the middle of whatever ruse she was involved in. He’d acted like a rookie. Worse. Like an idiot.
Right before his meeting with Holstrom.
Christ. After he’d told her all about his hopes and dreams. Although why she’d want to sabotage his efforts...
She hadn’t, though. Stupidity aside, he was clear on that. He’d had a lot of time to think during the night. Kensey hadn’t really offered anything for his silence. His anger had more to do with how she’d behaved with Holstrom.
Logan closed his eyes for a moment. Man, it had been tough to watch.
As far as her endgame, he couldn’t come up with anything that made sense. Even last night, after he’d confronted her, she could have waited until they were having sex or right after, when he was pliable as hell before she asked for reassurance.
That would’ve been a smarter play. And Kensey was a smart woman.
The truth was simple and hard to take. Logan was just collateral damage. Talk about irony. It was the main reason he’d decided to leave the CIA. He’d seen too many innocents who’d been at the wrong place at the wrong time, their deaths summarized by a sad shake of the head and a rubber stamp. And he couldn’t be a part of it anymore. Not even for the greater good.
He’d liked Kensey. More than he’d liked anyone in years. From that first night, she’d hooked him and reeled him in. Manipulated him until he cared.
Any other woman and he’d have cut his losses and moved on. But he still had half an ear out for her footsteps in the other room. The damn apartment was completely soundproof, so how messed up was that?
He took another swig of his emergency Red Bull. He would’ve preferred coffee, and he’d have some later. He needed the caffeine to prepare for his meeting. Barney’s coaching had left Logan with some minor qualms about Holstrom, none of which were deal breakers. After he’d overheard what the bastard said about Kensey, Logan was halfway to telling Holstrom to forget it.
Which might make him feel better, but wasn’t going to help many vets.
So Holstrom was a dick. It wasn’t as if Logan hadn’t worked with his fair share of them. He still wanted to go back to basic training and deck Sergeant Wycofsky. That asshole had been nothing but a bully. How he’d treated the fresh recruits would be illegal in any other circumstance.