Together Again(78)
“Tony, please listen to me.” Her voice was softer, almost pleading. “This isn’t about thrills or wanting to do what you do or forcing everyone to do it my way. It’s about getting this guy into custody, using the advantage I have. For the first time, being Kenny Keyes’ daughter isn’t an embarrassment. I don’t expect you to completely understand it, but I do expect you to believe I’m doing this for the right reason. Don’t you know me well enough to know that?”
He sighed. “Yes, I do. And I even understand what you’re saying, at least a little. But Jesus, Margo, I also know what could happen and it scares the living daylights out of me.”
“I’d be lying — and stupid — if I said I wasn’t a little scared, too, but you and Sam and Danny and every other law enforcement agency in the region — hell, in the nation — have my back. I’m meeting him in broad daylight in a fairly public place. He trusts me because he thinks I’m as twisted as he is, which gives me a level of safety you wouldn’t have.” She felt like she was begging by the time she got to the end of her speech. “He’s just wants those damn hard drives, Tony. I can deliver hard drives.”
“You know what the worst part is? The worst part, the part that really pisses me off, is that I have a feeling you’re right — this is the only way left to accomplish what we want and I hate it.” He was running his fingers through his hair so hard Margo was afraid he’d pull it all out.
“Tony, I know … I wish … ” She cleared her throat and started again. “I don’t want to let what’s between us personally get in the way of doing this and I don’t think you do either … so … ”
“I can’t pretend you’re just another person I work with, Margo. Don’t ask me to do that.”
She suddenly realized that his anger wasn’t because she had hidden what she’d done. It was because he was terrified she’d get hurt. No matter what had happened between them, he still cared.
“No, no, I didn’t mean that. I meant … oh, God, why can’t I find the right words?” She looked him in the eye. “Okay, let’s try this: I know you’ve been angry at me. For reasons that … well, for reasons that I deserve. But can we call a truce or something? Work out the other stuff when this is over and just get this done?” She walked to his side of the desk and put out her hand to him, as if to shake it. “I’d like to go into tomorrow knowing you’re not furious at me and maybe even accept that I know what I’m doing.”
He looked at her outstretched hand and, saying nothing, left her office, banging the door closed behind him as he went out.
Margo swallowed hard and sniffed back tears. She’d held out an olive branch and he’d rejected it. That said it all. Still sniffing, she sat at her desk and forwarded the series of emails between herself and Viktor to Sam. As she was sending the last one, there was a knock at the door.
“Come.” She didn’t look up, assuming it was Kiki wanting to dig into what was going on or Jeff with more advice about the next day.
“A truce sounds good.” Tony held out his hand. “Sorry I stormed out of here.” She stood up and put out her hand. He covered it with both of his. “I don’t know if I can say I accept what you’re doing,” he continued, “but you absolutely have the right to make the judgment call yourself. Just promise me one thing: you’ll give him the hard drives and get the hell out of there. No messing around trying to gather evidence or make a good case or get a confession from him. Let us take care of that.”
“I promise. No heroics.”