Page 48 of Last Chance

“Oh, yeah. Goose, too. In fact, I might take him home until his mistress is off work. He’s a great napping buddy.”

Sawyer chuckled. “Can’t forget Goose. Want to follow us to headquarters, then?”

“If you’ll stop by the safe house for my vehicle, I’ll be right behind you.”

Minutes later, Sawyer introduced Molly and Jeremy to Janie, Jada, and Chelsea. “You can trust my friends to take care of you and see to your safety,” he said. “If anything happens, do exactly what they tell you to do. They’re well trained.”

“What about you, Janie?” Chelsea asked. “Will you be okay, too?”

“You forget that I’ve seen Sawyer at work. I’ll be absolutely safe with him and his teammates.”

The other women looked relieved. Jada pointed at Sawyer. “If anything happens to her, we’re coming after you. Doesn’t matter how well armed you are. You get me?”

Sawyer gave her a mock salute. “Got it. I won’t forget.”

Molly and Jeremy followed them outside and waited until Sawyer had enclosed Janie inside the safety of the SUV along with Jesse. “Orders, sir?” Jeremy asked.

“Keep an eye out. We’ve already had trouble this morning. I have a feeling it won’t be the last time. I’m hoping by keeping Janie away from the shop as much as possible that her employees will be less likely targets. No guarantees, though.”

“Understood, sir. We’ll stay alert.”

“I also have someone from Fortress coming to upgrade Janie’s security and change her locks. I need you to drop the keys by Brody’s home. He’s expecting you later this afternoon.”

“Yes, sir.”

Once the operatives were back in the shop, Sawyer circled the hood and climbed behind the wheel. He drove toward the interstate. “You nervous about working with the artist?”

Janie looked at him. “How did you know?”

“Logical. You’ve never worked with a sketch artist before, so it’s an unknown amid several other unknowns in your life right now.”

“You’re one of those unknowns.”

He inclined his head. Couldn’t argue with her logic. It was true. He was her biggest unknown at the moment. “Not for long.” He smiled. “After all, we’re dating now.”

She laughed. “Of course. During your assignment. After that, I’ll just be one of your crowd of admirers, soon forgotten, I’m sure.”

Jesse snorted.

Sawyer wasn’t so sure about Janie’s statement. He had a feeling he’d never forget her, no matter how many assignments he had. She was one in a million. “Don’t sell yourself short, sweetheart. You’ll always have a special place in my life.”

The more he thought about that, the further convinced he was that he’d spoken the truth. So, the question became, what was he going to do about it? Something to consider over the next few days.

“We’ll see if you still say that after we break up,” she teased. “You may be glad to get rid of me.”

He didn’t think so.

They stopped by the safe house for Jesse to pick up his SUV. Halfway to Fortress headquarters, Sawyer noticed a white panel van shifting lanes frequently and inching ever closer to their SUVs. Since Janie seemed unaware of the problematic vehicle, he simply monitored the van and its maneuvering.

Five minutes later, the van’s driver had positioned his vehicle three cars behind Jesse. Before long, he darted into the next lane and nosed back into the lane, this time two cars behind Jesse.

He scowled. Not what he wanted to see. No question that they’d picked up a tail. He wasn’t surprised, but he didn’t like it. Too much was at stake to let this slide.

Sawyer used his Bluetooth to call Jesse.

“I see him,” was the reply instead of a greeting.

“We’re fifteen minutes from Fortress.”

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