Lucy couldn’t imagine what she’d done that upset anyone.
Noah laughed. “It’s not you. Jeez, Luce, do you always think you’re the one making waves?”
“Lately,” she said.
“This time, it’s me, and I’m not going to apologize. I don’t have to-I’m not going to be in San Antonio forever. You know Dean Hooper, right?”
“Heard of him, never met him.”
“He’s pretty tight with the Rogans and with Rick,” he said. “He’s also the former assistant director of White Collar Crimes at national headquarters. He took a demotion, of sorts, into an ASAC position in Sacramento after he got married, but still consults with DC because he’s the foremost expert we have in financial crimes. He’s sharp, and we need sharp on this.” He hesitated. “You know how I feel about bringing in civilian consultants.”
“I wouldn’t ask. And Sean respects ASAC Hooper tremendously, from what he’s told me.”
“I already asked Rick if I could bring in Sean if needed. I’ll talk to Sean tonight, because Dean already asked if he could use him locally. Our San Antonio office just isn’t as advanced in white-collar issues as we are in the other divisions.”
“Sean is out of town for the next two to three days.”
“Business?”
“A friend asked him to find her husband and son, who disappeared while on a working vacation in Acapulco.” She hesitated, then added, “Kane went with him.”
“You sound worried.”
“Sean wouldn’t have left if it wasn’t serious.” He’d been worried about her last night; she’d sensed it the minute she walked in. She must have looked like death warmed over. She did her best to show him that she was all right. And she was… she’d miss him, but she was a big girl. She needed to learn to decompress on her own. Lucy internalized her cases, and it sometimes got to her, resulting in little sleep and long nights. She found it both beneficial and terrifying that she often understood killers, that she could get inside their heads and emotionally dissect them. Sometimes, that was the only way to stop them.
But it took its toll. Insomnia, poor eating habits, lack of emotion-Lucy could psychoanalyze herself until the cows came home, she understood her defenses, but that didn’t help when she found herself alone and thinking too much about her cases.
Her last partner, Barry Crawford, had told her she didn’t know how to turn off the job. This was true. Sean could do it for her. He would take her hand, smile, and know exactly what to say or do to shut it down. Whether it was a quiet night at home, a dinner out at their favorite restaurant, or inviting friends over for a game of poker, Sean had this uncanny way of knowing exactly what she needed and when.
She was spoiled. She was going to miss him the next few days.
A phone rang in the backseat. Siobhan answered it. “No, that’s not necessary. I’m serious-I’m with Lucy and another agent… Don’t. I’m fine… I promise. One problem, I’ll call… I said I promise… And you know what? Next time Kane wants to know how I’m doing, have him call me direct.”
Siobhan pocketed her phone. “Impossible,” she muttered.
Lucy exchanged a glance with Noah. “What’s going on?” Lucy asked Siobhan.
“Kane told Ranger everything, and now Ranger’s worried.” To Noah she said, “Ranger works with Kane in hostage rescue. Ranger and his team are in Honduras escorting a medical unit through a dicey area. Far more dangerous and necessary than babysitting me. But Ranger said he’d drop everything if I needed help.”
Lucy didn’t quite know what to say. She’d seen the exchange between Kane and Siobhan that morning, before she and Sean gave them some privacy.
She was about to comment when Siobhan continued. “It’s the principle of the thing. Yes, I appreciate his help, but it’s Kane being dictatorial. Thinking I’m going to get in trouble. I lived and worked in Mexico for years. I know how to take care of myself. And he called Andie. Again.”
“Andie-your sister.”
“Now she’s worried. I mean, I know, I’m not a cop, I’m not a soldier, I don’t even like guns all that much-but I can hit the target when I have to. Andie made sure of that. But I’m not a child, and I resent being coddled and scolded like one.”
“They care about you,” Lucy said. “I am a cop, and I like guns, and my family still worries about me.”
Siobhan rubbed her eyes. “You’re right. I just… I’m stuck. I don’t know where else to look.”
“You don’t look anywhere,” Noah said firmly. “That’s why Lucy and I are here. You’re involved because you know these girls and you have contacts in the community, but you are not to go out on your own. Do you understand?”
“You’re a cop and military, aren’t you?”
“Air Force, ten years.”
“One of the nice guys.”
“Excuse me?”
“Air Force guys were always the nicest. There was one Airborne unit, after the mudslide in Mari and Ana’s village, who came in with extra medical supplies and water. And they brought me-there was no getting in and out of the village on foot because the bridge was taken out. It was risky-Vala Vida is remote and pristine and the cartels and rebels leave them alone, but to get there we have to go through some dangerous areas. There’s only one way in and out. Anyway, a unit raised the money on their own to bring in the supplies. It wasn’t the first time the Air Force came through for one of the sisters.”
“Okay, I’ll take being a nice guy.”
Lucy laughed.
Noah mocked indignation. “I am.”
“You are,” she agreed, glad for a little levity.
Noah pulled in front of the address of the hotel that Sean had reserved for Siobhan.
“No way,” Siobhan said. “This place costs a fortune.”
“The security is good,” Lucy said. “And Sean paid for it. You’ll hurt his feelings if you don’t stay here. Not to mention he’ll find out, tell Kane, and Kane will probably send Ranger up here. I know how they think.”
Noah parked in ten-minute parking and got out, opened the door for Siobhan. “I agree with Lucy. You stirred the hornets’ nest, and whoever was running the house in Freer knows you’re still looking for Marisol and Ana.”
“It’s just-it’s too much.” She looked pained.
Lucy picked up Siobhan’s backpack and started toward the door. Noah escorted Siobhan inside. They were greeted almost immediately by hotel security. “Ms. Walsh, it’s a privilege to have you with us. I’m Horatio Peterson, the head of security.”
“How do you know me?”
“Mr. Rogan said you’d be checking in this morning. Your safety is my number one concern. Our hotel has state-of-the-art security systems, and we monitor visitors closely. We’ve had many important people stay here-actors, musicians, presidents even-and I can assure you as long as you are here, no one will disturb you.” He handed his card to Siobhan, Noah, and Lucy. “Agents, I’m at your disposal if you need anything during your stay here.”
“We’re not staying,” Noah said.
“Nonetheless, there are two rooms adjoining Ms. Walsh’s suite also reserved for the week.” He handed out card keys. “It’s a long drive to San Antonio.”
Noah glanced at Lucy and shook his head, but she could see a slight smile on his face.
“I don’t know whether to shoot him or hug him,” Siobhan said.
“I often have that feeling,” Noah concurred.
Peterson said, “If you need to go anywhere, I have a driver at your disposal.”
“It’s a lost cause,” Lucy said. “Just enjoy it. And you’re close to the hospital.”
“Fine,” Siobhan said. “I’m going to owe Sean big time.”
“You owe him nothing.”
“He loaned me his camera. This hotel. Everything.”