Jesus, McBride!
He met first Hunter’s gaze, then Darcangelo’s. “The Zetas have never hit anyone farther north than El Paso and Nogales, and the U.S. nationals they’ve killed have all been mixed up in the drug trade. If I’d thought for a moment he would send his men to Denver, don’t you think I’d have taken steps to protect her myself?”
“I don’t know.” Rossiter gave him a cold look. “Seems to me you were more concerned about getting back to D.C. so you could cover your you-know-what and save your career.”
“Mycareeris probably trashed. I was supposed to stay in—”
From behind him, a woman spoke. “This is what I love to see—different branches of law enforcement at each other’s throats. It gives the bad guys the head start they need, which in turn gives us all job security.”
Zach turned and looked straight into the eyes of a woman with short blond hair. In her late forties or early fifties, she was more than six feet tall, her body trim and fit, her tweed jacket and tailored slacks giving her a smart look. Beside her stood a younger woman, also wearing a pantsuit.
“I’m Teresa Rowan, U.S. marshal for Colorado. This is one of my deputies, Michelle Reyes.” She held up a badge case, flipping quickly from a gold badge to her government ID. “You know, Reyes, the thing you have to remember when working with men is that they’re very emotional. For example, these guys are on the same side, trying to protect the same woman, but they have to fight about it like dogs trying to decide who’s the alpha.” After this verbal blow to the balls, she turned to face them again. “But guess what, gentlemen—I’m the alpha.”
And she was.
Zach had no doubt why she was here. She’d come to take him into custody and fly his ass back to D.C. But he had news for her. He didn’t give a damn who she was. He wasn’t leaving until he knew Natalie was safe.
She met his gaze. “Is there somewhere we can talk in private, McBride?”
“LOOK ME IN the eyes and tell me—did you steal the cocaine?”
Zach met Rowan’s gaze, her steel blue eyes devoid of emotion. “No.”
“Did you have anything to do with the Interpol agent’s death?”
“No. It happened exactly like I said it happened. She almost gotmekilled.”
“Okay then.”
Zach stared at her. “That’s it? Now you trust me?”
“After two decades on the job, I’ve gotten pretty good at judging people.” She smiled, tapped a manicured fingernail on the sleeve of her jacket. “Besides, I’ve read the reports, seen the tape. I believed you before I set foot in this hospital.”
That was a nice surprise. “But let me guess—you’re here to tell me I have to get on a plane back to D.C. and that if I don’t—”
She shook her head. “No. I’m here to ask you to help me protect Ms. Benoit.”
Now Zach truly was surprised—and intrigued.
“We can’t enroll her in WITSEC.” Rowan’s brow furrowed, deep lines forming on her forehead. “She doesn’t fit the parameters for witness protection. But she is a journalist, and protecting journalists can fall to the Justice Department under certain circumstances. We’ve done it before.”
Zach nodded. “The shooting of that radio talk-show host in Seattle. The editor in Idaho who was being stalked by white supremacists.”
“I can see you read the company newsletter.” She gave him an approving grin. “I’ve claimed jurisdiction on this case. The Denver PD knows it. FBI knows it. Trouble is, my people aren’t used to dealing with cartel violence. I need your expertise.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Make Ms. Benoit vanish. You’ll get the support and resources you need from my office. Then help me get these Zeta bastards out of my state.” There was emotion in her voice when she spoke those last words—the first Zach had sensed in her.
“There’s one little problem. I’m currently the subject of an internal investigation in Washington. Pearce and the brass at the OD won’t be happy about this. He ordered me to stay in D.C. until the investigation was complete.”
“Fuck Pearce. I’ll deal with him. I was appointed by the President. If Pearce doesn’t like how I work, he can take it up with the White House.”
Zach was really starting to dig this chick. “I’ll need a team—people I can trust.”
“ANSWER TOHIM?” Hunter gaped at Rowan. “You’ve got to be kidding. I want to help Natalie in any way I can, but—”
“Then say yes.” Zach had expected this response.