Page 117 of Hidden Ascent

“It’s clear,” he said. “I’ll get a team and do a sweep of the building.”

“Report back when you’re done. Isla, I appreciate that you’re trying to make this simple for me, but your heroism is useless. The whole point of that ambush was to contain the problem. Letting Maddy go won’t do that. We have to come up with a new solution now. But thanks for coming in. It will save me hunting you down later.”

“There’s no way to contain it now. My team has everything from your safe. All I’m doing is offering my life for hers.”

“Or I could take both of your lives. How about that? Or even better, I’ll wait until Jay turns up—if he turns up—and add his life to the list as well. Shall I go on?”

“What if I made you a better offer?”

“A better offer?” He shrugged. “I’m listening, but I don’t expect much.”

“You let Maddy go, and I’ll get those documents back.”

“They’re useless to me now. But that photo of you and Whitlock? I’d like to know more about that. Now that I know this was all a setup, I’m inclined to think you were faking, but I’m not so sure. He was the one who pulled the strings to get you out of the police station. Perhaps you didn’t know Jay took the photo?”

If Sharpe still believed the picture could be real, it gave her an opportunity she didn’t know she had. But she’d have to convince Sharpe, and that wouldn’t be easy.

She pushed Whitlock from her mind and thought of Jay. “I believe he does care about me. Deeply.”

“Perhaps.”

“He’d do anything for me. If he knew I was here, putting my life at risk, he’d be furious.”

“Because he cares about you so much?” His face twisted in mock pity.

“Yes.”

“And what about you? Would you do anything to protect him?”

“That’s why I’m here without his knowledge. But I know he’d do the same for me if the tables were turned.”

“You think so? I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but Whitlock is not the type to leave his wife.”

“I know. We aren’t meant to be together. That’s why I tried to end it. I did end it. But that doesn’t change how I feel about him. Or how he feels about me. He’s so genuine and trustworthy. He’s the best man I’ve ever known.”

“Ah, love, it’s so manipulative. Delusions can feel so real.”

“Please. I’ll do anything. Just let her go, and leave Lloyd alone.”

“Okay. I’m inclined to believe you. And the truth is, I’m a businessman before anything else. I know a good opportunity when I see one. If you want me to let Maddy walk out of here unharmed, then the first thing I need to find out is if Lloyd Whitlock cares about you as deeply as you believe. Because if he does, then we have a deal.”

“I already told you he does.”

“Why don’t we call and ask him?”

“You want me to call him now?”

“Is that a problem?”

Isla held her breath. She had no idea how Whitlock would respond. They hadn’t prepped him for this.

“How about I call him?” Sharpe put the phone on speaker after dialing Whitlock’s office number.

A woman answered. “Good afternoon, you’ve reached the Office of the Attorney General. What can I do for you?”

“Hello. This is John Sharpe, calling for Mr. Whitlock.”

“I’m sorry, sir, but he’s in a meeting. Was he expecting your call?”

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