“Freeze,” she said, “or I’ll put a bullet in your head.”
Keeping one eye on Lancaster and Russo, she glanced at Russell Smith, the head of Lancaster’s team, who stopped moving but didn’t drop his hand. “The only reason I haven’t shot you yet is because I don’t want to have to clean up blood in my own house, so I’ll ask nicely one more time. With your off hand, use your thumb and index finger and slowly remove your weapon and slide it towards me.”
She watched as the agent looked to President Lancaster for permission. “Hey asshole,” she said, “don’t look at him for an answer. I’m in charge.”
“I have jurisdiction here, O’Malley,” Lancaster swaggered.
She eyed the agent who waited for permission from the president. Shifting her weapon in the direction of President Lancaster, she emitted a guttural growl.
“Do as Agent O’Malley said,” Lancaster said.
She kept her eyes on the group as the agent cautiously lifted his gun from under his suit coat, knelt as he placed it on the hard-wood floor, and slid it in her direction. She stopped it with her foot, then using the heel of her boot, kicked it onto the back porch. Using the barrel of her gun, she waved the agent toward the couch. “Go join the other two on the couch.”
With all three men in front of her, she relaxed a bit, but never lowered her weapon. “Care to explain why the president of the United States would break into my home and have some monkey try to break into my personal computer?”
“I don’t think you’re in any position to ask any questions, Agent O’Malley,” Lancaster said.
“Oh,” she replied, her left brow arching.
“I have witnesses who just heard you threaten the leader of the free world.”
“I didn’t say a word.”
“But you did point a gun at me.” Her non-response must have seemed like a win to Lancaster because he went to stand. “So, how about you put the gun away before I throw your ass in jail.”
“Sit down.” The sound came out of Sin’s mouth more as a hiss than words.
“Excuse me.” Lancaster’s twang was evident as his anger blossomed.
Not to be outmatched, Sin’s anger was starting to percolate. “I said sit your fat ass down before I make you sit down.”
Lancaster stared back at her, a look of defiance in his eyes. “And how are you going to make me sit or do anything else?”
All three men were waiting for her next volley, but no words were spoken. With one slight pull on the trigger, she fired a bullet over Lancaster’s head. The impact of the moment dropped Lancaster back onto the couch. His eyes wide, his mouth agape.
“Are you out of your goddamned mind? I’ll have your badge.” Lancaster yelled.
“My mind gets clearer by the second,” she said. Looking at Russo, she asked, “Dominic, would you like to tell me what the hell is going on in my home?”
“Nathan contacted me soon after you left. I told him about the information you had about . . . everything. He told me to stay put and that he was on his way. I thought it would be best to meet him here.”
“Where is Arturo?”
“I didn’t think it was advisable to have him here, so I gave him a few days off. He’s enjoying the sun and scenery in Miami.”
“And my computer?”
“His expert has been trying to get into your computer for the past hour with no luck.” She nodded, running her fingers over her laptop.
“Is it true, what the president told me?” Russo said.
“You’ll need to be a bit more specific.”
“Did you rescue Becca?”
“Yes, I did, along with my team.”
“I demand to see my daughter,” Lancaster bellowed.
“I don’t think you’re in any position to demand anything, Mr. President.”
Lancaster snarled, his complexion reddened as she threw his own words back at him.
Her phone rang breaking the tension. “Sin here,” she answered. “Okay,” she said after a few seconds. “Give me enough time to take out the trash, and I’ll be there as soon as possible.” She hung up and dialed another number. After speaking to whoever was on the other end in Spanish, she hung up and pocketed her phone.
“I demand to know what the hell is going on!”
She eyed Lancaster. “Again, with the demands.”
“Look here, you bitch, I’m done playing games.”
She stood, ignoring the president and eyed Smitty. “I have an important lead in finding Pia. As soon as I can, I’ll be back with Becca.”
Russell Smith scowled. “And my gun?”
“Five minutes after I leave, you can pick it up.” She eyed Russo and said. “Grab my laptop; you’re with me.”
“And where do you think you’re going, O’Malley? I’m not done with you,” Lancaster barked.
Sin looked over her shoulder as she stepped onto the back porch. “I’m done with you . . . for now. I still have a case to solve and a girl to bring home.”
“You’re off this case,” Lancaster yelled. “In fact, I want your badge, immediately.”
“Again, with the damn badge. While I’m gone, use your time effectively and think up some new threats. Goodbye, Mr. President.” She looked at her watch. “Keep the president here, Smitty. It’s for his own safety.”
“I’ll do whatever I damn please,” Lancaster bellowed. “When I get back to Washington, your boss and I will be having a conversation about your future.”
“I advise you to stay put until I return.”
“And why would I do that?”
“Because Becca is here, not Washington.”
31
Sin handed Russo a helmet and told him to sit behind her on the saddle.
“If you give me twenty minutes, I’ll call us a car.”
“We don’t have twenty minutes. Savio is dying as we speak.”
“So?”
“So, you cold bastard, he just might hold the secret to your daughter’s life. They’re infected or drugged with the same thing, remember? If he dies, she most likely dies, too.”
Russo stood rigid, as she punched in a number on her phone. Speaking in Patios, she carried on a brief conversation
