A barista put her order on the counter and quickly moved away.
Time to get out of here.
She stepped up to the counter, but Mitch beat her there. “Please. Five minutes. There are things I need to tell you.”
Five minutes? What could he possibly say to her in five minutes that would make any of this okay?
Jason Boggess. He’d claimed to know something about the abduction.
She ought to handcuff him to a table and ring Dak. Or that guy in OPR. Let them come and talk to Mitch, since he seemed to be in such a chatty mood.
“I don’t have much time. They’re watching.”
Ghost fingers crawled over her skin.
Who was watching?
Now that she thought about it, he sounded scared. Not apprehensive of approaching the daughter he abandoned, but genuinely scared.
Maybe five minutes wouldn’t hurt anything. She could still ring Dak or OPR after the five minutes were up.
“Five minutes. Make it good or I’m gone.” She resisted the urge to remind him that she didn’t need him.
Without waiting for a response, she headed for a table in the corner and took the seat facing the room.
Mitch’s drink came up and he grabbed it before taking the chair across from her.
His eyes rested on her.
It was creepy, looking into those eyes. Eyes she should know, but set in a stranger she no longer wanted to know.
“Thanks. I’m sure this is hard–”
“Your note said you know what happened to Jason Boggess. Is that true?”
“Yes. Kind of.” He wrapped his hands around the paper coffee cup and stared at the steam coming from the lid like he’d find answers there.
She was wasting her time. “Look, if you know something, say it now.”
“I know who took him. Still working on why.” Mitch glanced toward the front of the coffeeshop and froze.
She followed his gaze.
People milled by on the sidewalk outside. Cars backed up from the red light at the intersection several businesses past the shop.
Mitch swore. “They’re here. I thought I’d lost them.”
“Who’s here?” She looked at the people outside. None of them were looking inside, much less focusing on her or Mitch.
“Follow my lead. If they know who you are, they’ll kill us both.” He put his hand on top of hers. “Smile and look like you’re having fun.”
Fear added urgency to his words and she felt a stiff smile form in spite of herself.
“What’s going on?” Her words came out stilted due to the fake smile.
“I have to get out of here. Can I come by your place later to explain? I should be able to ditch the tail in the dark.”
The last thing she wanted was this man in her house. Besides, OPR was investigating her. If she met with Mitch, it could mean her career. “No. You’re not welcome there.”
“If you want to know about Boggess, those are my terms.”
What, they were negotiating now?
Sounded like it. And unfortunately, he held all the chips.
She’d tell Dak. Make sure he was there with her. Then they could arrest Mitch once he told them what he knew. “Fine. But I want you gone by nine.”
“I’ll be there at eight.” His frozen smile was borderline creepy. “Just you. If anyone else is there, I bail.”
“No deal.” She fought the urge to pull her hand away. If someone really was watching, she had to sell this. “My friend Dak will be there.”
“Then I won’t come.” His green eyes bored into her. “I’m guessing you’re every bit as stubborn as your mother, but if you want to know what I know, you’ll do this my way.”
Seemed to her like he was just as stubborn as Mum had been. Maybe more so.
What should she do? She was sure she could handle him, if he chose to become violent, but could she handle the fallout if OPR learned about the meeting?
He glanced toward the front window again and his fingers tightened on her hand.
She still couldn’t see what was freaking him out, but something was clearly wrong.
What if this was the break they needed in the case? Wouldn’t it be worth the risk? She could always say he’d dropped by unexpectedly and she hadn’t been able to get away to ring Dak or OPR.
“Fine. Eight tonight. This is your only chance. If you don’t make it, don’t bother finding me again.”
“I’ll be there.” He released her hand and rose. “See you then.”
She didn’t move for several seconds.
What had she agreed to?
Should she tell Dak?
If she did, he’d have to tell OPR. Then there would be agents crawling all over her house, waiting to arrest Mitch. Who wouldn’t show, not when he saw the FBI presence.
If he saw them. What if she signaled them and they moved in after he arrived?
She collected the coffees and headed for the door.
The walk back to her office didn’t provide nearly enough time to come up with a plan. A full week wouldn’t have given her enough time to figure out the best course of action.
“That took a while. They must’ve been busy.” Dak smiled as she put the coffee in front of him.
Now was the time. She should level with him.
“Yeah. I guess a lot of people needed a caffeine pick-me-up this afternoon.” The lie slipped out as if of its own accord.
“Well, thanks. I appreciate that you enjoy a good coffee after lunch.” Dak returned his attention to the monitor in front of him.
Honesty. She’d promised Dak she wouldn’t lie to him.
She headed for her desk and pulled out her chair.
And she wasn’t lying. Not really. She just wasn’t telling him
