aimed his way sent shivers along his spine.
Charley shrugged. “So, we’re visitors, and I have medical issues. Easily explained. For the hardware, well, that’s business.”
Yet another flip of her on-off switch. Wyatt shook his head, waved her off in agreement, but huffed out a breath before he continued. “We’re on a tight schedule.” A quick glance at his watch caused the other three to do the same.
The knock on the outer shell of the plane brought them all back to attention. The same officer greeted them as the door opened.
“You all are free to disembark,” the officer said. “We apologize for any inconvenience the additional time has caused you.” The officer handed Wyatt the paperwork with a nod, turned and walked away.
“Easy as that?” Lily asked.
“Well then. See?” Charley walked through the door. “If you want to talk to me Wyatt, come and get me. Otherwise, I’m getting a drink and going home.”
“She’s not going to make this easy, is she?” Wyatt asked.
James shook his head. “We’ll hang back until you’ve convinced her, or she gets back on and we fly away.”
Wyatt rushed after Charley. He caught her before she passed the cars he’d rented. “Charley!”
She stopped, bag in hand and turned toward him.
He held his spot on the tarmac. “Wait, please.”
“What? More excuses? More stories? Lies? Do you guys do anything on the up and up?” Anger burned through her questions.
“I’m not allowed to share everything.”
“Do you think I care?” Charley walked up to Wyatt and poked him in the chest. “My team is my responsibility. We don’t make compromises for that, Wyatt. For many, many and very good reasons.”
He sighed, resigned to the potential that the entire activity would blow up in his face. “I’m sure you care-”
“Took you long enough. I do care. I care about my country, the people in my country, and I believe in my government. So far you’ve asked me to gather intelligence in a titty-bar and are still withholding what else you want me to do.”
“I know.”
“You have to tell me before you hire me, Wyatt. I’m a free agent. The government doesn’t own me like it does you.”
She hit him where it hurt with the last, as he too believed in his country and government. He’d just chosen to work for them and follow their orders, whereas she had flexibility.
Wyatt reached his hand, palms up, toward her. “Can I tell you what else we need then?”
“Please do.” She put her hands on her hips-the same stance he’d seen her hold when flanked by her team.
“The two guys that Candie met trade information. We believe what they told her is a small piece of an international operation beyond the U.S. and Canadian borders. We need the information, but secondary to that, we need to interrogate one of them without their knowledge.”
“Why is this such a big deal? This is nothing new. Drugs. Money. Whatever. I get details for people all the time by playing their role. What is so different about this that you couldn’t tell me?”
“Their group targets and sells children,” he said. “It’s-”
“Why didn’t you just tell me?” The horror in her eyes turned to pain and moved to anger before he could expand.
As she stared back at him, he’d have sworn her eyes changed color, but she moved out of his shadow and dropped her gaze before he could confirm.
“I’ll do whatever you need.” She walked away.
Charley walked straight to the red car, whipped open the passenger door and slid into the seat.
She watched as Wyatt walked back to the plane and James stepped out. Lily followed, Wyatt right behind her again.
“Who thought to rent a Porsche?” Charley asked when Wyatt fit himself into the driver’s seat.
“Ah, that was my idea, actually.” He adjusted dials, mirrors and the seat itself.
“Why? Or is that top secret, too?”
He shrunk back in his seat. “No, not a secret. I have a fondness for fast cars and take every opportunity I can to drive them.” He remained silent for a moment. “Sorry, Charley.”
Charley’s laughter broke the tension-filled day. “Not you, too? Isn’t that expression old and outdated?” She held her smile in place as confusion spread through his. “Oh! You didn’t say it as a joke.” She waved the thought away.
Wyatt’s expression turned lighthearted with a baby of a smile. “No, I didn’t, but I get it now. I’m apologizing for not telling you sooner. And-” He kept going before she could interrupt him. “-I also want to thank you for agreeing to the assignment.” He moved to the ignition; the car roared to life. “Ready?”
She nodded.
“Ears on?” he said into the air.
Charley scanned for a mic or speaker but found none. Wyatt pulled out a miniature walkie-talkie radio and shook it at her before he tucked it into his pocket again.
“Ears on.” James’s voice came through from the sedan behind them. “Let’s get moving.”
“Why do you get the Porsche?” Lily’s pout came through as clear as James’s voice.
“’Cause I’m the one getting naked,” Charley told her before Wyatt could address her with any formality.
“I’ll give you a ride if you want, Lily.” Wyatt drove through the gates of the airport and headed toward the city.
Charley turned to him. Strength combined with kindness. He’d grown so much-not that she wouldn’t have expected that. The little changes made the difference. His face held a day’s stubble-more than she’d remembered he could produce before. More assured of himself, too. She valued loyalty over most other characteristics, and in that, he had not changed.
“Southwest on Boulevard Romeo-Vachon to Chemin de la Cote-de-Liesse.”
Like James, Lily, Cael and Sophie, Charley would put her trust and faith in Wyatt.
The Mercedes followed the Porsche through the streets-a caravan no one would recognize given their spread. As Wyatt drove, Charley played tourist. Given the four-o’clock hour, cars, taxis and buses inched through and trudged their way up and down each city block, keeping traffic at a near stand-still.
Wyatt slammed the breaks in response to those ahead of them.
“This is why I like life in our rural town.” Charley noted the majority of the clubs had French names-at least they kept to their locale.
Twenty-five minutes after they began, Wyatt signaled the final turn onto Boulevard Saint-Laurent. He parked in a garage marked with the sign for their hotel.
“Wyatt?” Charley asked as she unclipped. “I have a confession.”
He’d already opened his door, but he stopped, turned and leaned toward her.
“Cael will already be here.” She waited for his response, but instead, he proceeded to exit the car. She scrambled to follow and stood at the side. “Are you mad?”
“Nope.” His gaze switched to James and Lily as they pulled in next to them. He hadn’t smiled or winked, just stood stoic.
“Okay.” Charley didn’t believe him.
“Are you?” He asked her.
She considered a moment. “No.”
Her decision kept her team together. His came from an order. Both had responsibility to their people.
“Are we even then?” He reached across the top.
