With a hand on her waist, Riley led her out up the steep incline. When the door closed, he spun them around. “He’s got another eye scanner on this end. Fucker. Let’s get back and try to figure out what to do.” He held out his hand for her keys. “I’ll drive.” With the tense way he said it, she thought it wise not to argue.
On the way back, Riley seemed off in his own world. “What are you thinking?” she asked.
“Angry thoughts.”
She almost smiled. So was she. Sarah was about to discuss taking out Elkhart tomorrow when Riley’s cell rang. He retrieved his phone, swiped a finger across the screen, and answered. “What’s up?” He glanced over at her. “How many men? Shit. Jay’s with you?” He tapped his fingers on the wheel. “I’m bringing Sarah back to the motel now. Later.”
She waited a beat, and when he didn’t say anything she grunted.
“What was that grunt about?” he asked.
“You can’t guess? You always keep me in the dark.”
He glanced over at her. “It’s better for you.”
“I’m a trained operative. I can handle myself.”
“You’re a human—and a woman. I won’t put you at risk.”
She put herself at risk every day. “Who called?”
He held up a hand. “Connolly. Statler brought in eight new guards to make sure Elkhart doesn’t pull a fast one and try to sell the women behind his back.”
Anger coiled in her stomach. “Well, shit. I was hoping you and Jay could take him down.”
“I was hoping so, too, though Statler isn’t dumb. He’ll have a ton of backup plans if we do.”
It was one of Statler’s backup plans that had allowed him to escape in the first place. “You’ll think of something.”
“Let’s hope. You up for some dinner?”
It wasn’t yet six. “Shouldn’t we go back to the warehouse and report to Statler? Or show Connolly the pictures?”
“Statler’s not there. Trust me, if he had been, Connolly would have said so. I think it’s safe to send Jay the photos. He’ll share them with the men.”
“Okay.” She had his email, so she forwarded them to him.
“What’s your pleasure?” he asked.
Her pleasure? She was so focused on the pictures she’d forgotten what he was referring to. Her real pleasure would be to find some stress relieving activity that involved both men. “Regarding what?”
He chuckled. “Food.”
“Oh. I say whatever place you come to first.”
Ten minutes later he pulled into the parking lot of a rather rundown restaurant. A few of the siding pieces were in need of repair and the windows could use a good washing, but the outside didn’t necessarily reflect the food quality.
He helped her out. “I doubt we’ll run into any of Statler’s men out here.”
“Even if we do, we’ve not given them any reason to doubt our loyalty.”
“True.”
They stepped inside and found they were the only patrons. At least their conversation couldn’t be overheard. The waitress, who looked a lot like her grandmother, motioned them to seat themselves then came over. They ordered coffee then looked over the menu.
Riley leaned back in his seat and studied her. “Are you planning on taking a break once this assignment is finished?” While he sounded calm, there was something else in his voice. Hope, perhaps, or was it fear?
“I don’t know. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking of late.” She didn’t want to lead him on. Honesty was her only option. “I used to think that what I was doing was important. Now, I’m not so sure.”
“If we save these girls, you will have done a great service to them. We never would have found Statler and the women without your help.”
“It doesn’t make up for what I’ve made them endure.”
He leaned forward on his elbows. “Statler would have found someone less caring than you to do the experiments on the women.”
“Maybe.”
He sat back and looked off to the side. “I’ve inflicted a lot of pain, both in the military and as an FBI agent, so I, too, wonder if I’ve helped or hurt.” He faced her. “I’ve been thinking about what you said. I’m considering leaving the Bureau.”
She sucked in a breath. He’d said it was all he knew. “What would you do?”
“What Jay does. Work for the General, assuming he’ll have me.”
“Would that be much different? You’d still be on assignment, probably working undercover.
The waitress came back. “Have you decided?”