“No, it’s not that. I’m just trying to take all of this in.” She looked up. “Are you one of Cassie’s associates?”
“That’s right. You might say I’m in charge of keeping things running smoothly.”
Rhonda sat up. “Is Cassie alright? I mean if this is the sort of person she’s dealing with now—"
“She’s fine,” Maddie cut in. “That kid is a quick study. She learned how to take care of herself in no time flat. Right now, I’m more worried about you. You looked like death when you came through that door. Tell me everything Hunt said to you today.”
The shopkeeper related the cross-examination and the cowboy’s threat to return and make her talk.
Maddie raised her eyebrows. “Well, that doesn’t give us much time. He’s been watching your shop for about a week now, but I never expected him to try the direct approach.”
“You mean to tell me that man has been camped out on my doorstep and you didn’t do anything?” Rhonda felt a wave of terror wash over her.
“It’s OK, really. My team would have charged in at the first sign of trouble. We just figured he was on a routine stakeout. His stunt today took us all by surprise.”
“What do you think he hoped to gain?” Rhonda asked bleakly. “Besides frightening me out of my wits, I mean.”
Maddie gave a bark of a laugh. “He was hoping to find out who’s pulling the strings. That’s why he planted a bug in your shop.”
“A bug?” Rhonda squeaked. “He can hear everything that’s said in my store?”
“Not only hear what’s going on, he can see everything too. I got a call from my people a few minutes ago. After you locked up for the night, Hunt let himself in and installed two smoke detectors with hidden surveillance cameras. One by the front door and one by the back. You’d never know they were there.”
This time Rhonda really did think she was going to faint. Maddie caught her as she listed to the side.
“Hang in there.” Her visitor propped her back up. “This is a good thing.”
“H... how can you say that?” The shopkeeper stared at her in disbelief.
“Because it gives us a tactical advantage. We can feed Leroy whatever information we want.”
“But how did you even find out about the bug? He must have only put it there this afternoon.”
Maddie chuckled. “If you’ve been doing the kind of work I do for as long as I have, you develop an instinct. When my team called to report that Hunt had come inside to talk to you, I told them to do a remote sweep and, sure enough, they picked up the signal. They saw him plant the cameras later because I told them to tail him all night just in case he decided to follow you home. Luckily, he seems more interested in the shop than in you.”
“And he did all that to get to whoever is, as you say, ‘pulling the strings.’” Rhonda peered hard at her visitor. “Is that you?”
“In part. Give me a second.” Maddie reached into a voluminous handbag resting on the floor next to the sofa. Her bracelets jangled as she poked around for something. “Thank goddess! One stick left.” She popped some gum into her mouth and began to chew vigorously. “I’m trying to quit smoking, but my timing sucks. This is the only thing that’ll stop the cravings for a while.”
She turned her attention back to Rhonda. “Now, where were we?” she asked brightly as if murderous cowboys were part of her everyday experience.
“So, this Hunt character might be a threat to Cassie too,” the shopkeeper said in an anxious tone.
“No. He thinks he killed her already.” Maddie waved her hand dismissively. “His mission at the moment is to find Hannah, and she accidentally led him straight into the middle of our operation. That’s why we had to relocate her and clean out Cassie’s apartment.”
“Is Hannah alright?”
“She’s doing great. Staying with a very nice lady out in the sticks where the bad guys won’t find her.” Maddie focused her piercing eyes on Rhonda and scowled. “Now we have to figure out what to do about your predicament.”
“You’re not going to rub me out, are you?” Rhonda quavered.
Maddie threw back her head and laughed until her whole body shook. Wiping tears from her eyes, she said, “Thanks, I needed that! I haven’t had a good laugh in weeks.” Composing her features, she added, “Seriously, we’re the good guys. We don’t rub people out. We just need to get you to a neutral environment.”
“A neutral environment?” Rhonda repeated cautiously.
“Here’s the situation. Leroy is bound to leave the country soon since he’s chasing the same artifact as Cassie is. Before that happens, he might decide to find out where you live and it would be a good idea if you weren’t here to be found. We’ll move you to a safe house, and you can have somebody else mind the shop for you. Do you have an assistant who can handle things for a week or so?”
Rhonda nodded uncertainly. “I can have Lupe take over. She’s been asking for more hours. Guess she’ll get her wish.”
“Don’t forget that Hunt is listening in,” Maddie cautioned. “It’s important for you to call Lupe every day so he’ll think you’re just out sick. We don’t want him getting suspicious before we’ve been able to arrange a more permanent solution for you.”
“Just exactly what do you mean by permanent solution?” Rhonda still wasn’t convinced the large woman with the scary fingernails wasn’t going to rub her out.
“Think of us as a witness relocation program. When Leroy got too close to finding Hannah and Cassie, we whisked them out of harm’s way. We can do the same for you.”
“But I own a business,” Rhonda protested. “You can’t just snap your fingers and make me disappear.”
Maddie didn’t seem fazed at all by the objection. “Sure, I can. I already know you don’t have any family in the area. My
