Page 58 of Silver Fire

“Not what you’re thinking,” Derek said. He reached into his back pocket—the effort costing him since his torso hurt like hell—pulled out his wallet, and took out his AGS contractor card.

“Great.” The officer sighed, returning Derek’s information. “Hard to keep this off the radar with so many witnesses. What should I put on my report?”

Derek shrugged and looked at Maia. “Tire blow-out?”

Maia shrugged. “That works.”

The two paramedics started chuckling as the officer exhaled deeply and said, “I’ll have a talk with my captain.”

“I’ll have my boss call your department,” Maia said.

The police officer gave them a card and turned back to the scene.

* * *

“He did sayhe was OK, right?” Sophie asked her friend for what could be the thousandth time.

Beth glared at her momentarily before returning her attention to her cell phone.

“Done being mad at him?” Stephen asked.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m just showing some concern for a friend,” Sophie replied. She was done being mad at him—for now. How could she stay mad at him when she was the most likely reason he nearly got killed? And the first person he worried about while still at the scene of the accident was her. That should mean something, right? She couldn’t trust him again, but she couldn’t explain why she had trouble breathing when Beth told her what had happened to Derek. “Besides, it could be because of my troubles that landed him in this. I’m just not a safe person to be around with at the moment. Maybe you two should stay away from me too.”

Beth spoke up this time. “Sophie, I get death threats all the time and you’re not avoiding me.”

“This is different. It’s not a threat anymore. People are getting hurt. Dying,” Sophie finished in a whisper, remembering Guerrero.

“Sophie, we’re not even sure this is about you,” Stephen said. “It doesn’t make sense. Beth and I have known you for years and they have not moved against us.”

That was true, she thought. Because Derek was ex-Special Forces and ex-AGS, it was possible he’d acquired enemies on his missions. He and Jack ran a defense company and were closely connected to the DoD and AGS. The hit might have nothing to do with her at all.

They tensed when they heard a car door slam. Stephen looked out the window, relief washing across his features. “It’s Jack.”

Disarming the alarm, Stephen opened the door before Jack could knock. Sophie felt her heart sink when she saw the pinched, ravaged look on Jack’s face.

“Jack, is everything OK? You look…” Sophie began, dreading what the other man would say.

Jack gave her a reassuring smile. “Everything is fine. It’s just that Maia was with Derek.”

“Oh my god, is she all right?” Beth exclaimed.

“She’s still mouthing off to me, so I guess she is,” Jack replied, obviously miffed at his wife.

“Well, why aren’t you with…” Sophie’s voice trailed off. “Derek told you to come for me. I’m so sorry.” Guilt washed over her in a big wave. The man was worried sick about his wife, and she did not know what Derek had said to convince him to come for her instead of going straight to Maia.

“He did, but so did Maia,” Jack said shortly. “Gather all your things, Sophie, I’m taking you to AGS.”

“But I’m staying with Beth.”

“I don’t think that’s happening until we figure out what’s going on.”

Sophie rolled her suitcase out of her bedroom. Jack took it from her and walked out the door, pausing to check for suspicious elements before signaling for her to come out of the house. Sophie grabbed her overnight bag that was still sitting in the foyer and followed Jack out the door.

She gave Beth and Stephen a hug. “So much for car shopping. You guys check in every hour, OK? I don’t care if it’s just a simple text.”

“Don’t worry, Sophie,” Beth said, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

They’d beenon the road for a few minutes before Jack spoke. “Look, I don’t want you to feel guilty about me coming to get you. Derek and Maia are right, securing you is more important at the moment.”

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