Page 32 of Hidden Ascent

“If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be here.”

He’d told Peter he would need time to make up his mind, but he’d done that before they’d arrived. Even after being attacked by Isla. Sitting here now, he knew he was in this. But that didn’t mean she was.

“What about you? I’m here offering my services, but you still have to accept my help.”

“Did Peter give you all the details?”

“He told me what happened to your team. I’m sorry for your loss. He told me you were almost killed a couple of times.”

“I’ll mourn them later, when I have time. So, you understand this is dangerous?”

“I worked that out.”

“And what exactly is your experience? Special forces? Law enforcement?”

“I’m more of a contractor.”

“What’s that mean?”

“People hire me to get different jobs done.”

“Such as?”

“Finding people, getting information—”

“You’re a private detective?”

“No. I’m more of a fixer. If someone has a problem, I’m good at coming up with solutions. Those solutions require a range of skills similar to the ones you have, as well as some you probably don’t. Growing up on the street, I learned to think on my feet and not cower under pressure. I learned to read people and use the cards I’m dealt to overcome just about any situation.”

“But you do all those things for criminals?”

“Sometimes.”

Peter entered the room. “Jemi’s tucked up in bed. How about you guys? You getting along?”

Isla stood. “I’m sorry, Peter. This won’t work out.”

“What?” Jay said. “I thought that was going well. What happened?”

“I spend all my time trying to stop criminals, and you help them get away. No thanks.”

“Your FBI buddies have hired me a time or two. I don’t only work for the bad guys.”

“Great, that makes it all better then.”

“Hang on,” Peter said. “Can we take a step back?”

“From what?” Isla said. “He admitted to it.”

“Can I speak to you a minute?” Peter moved backward into the hall. He jerked his head sideways and disappeared.

Isla shook her head and followed. “Excuse me for a minute.”

Jay sighed.God, if my past disqualifies me to do this, then what was the point of bringing me here in the first place?

* * *

“There’s nothing you can say to change my mind about this,” Isla said when she joined Peter in the kitchen. “I can do this on my own. I won’t work with someone on the side of the very thing I’m fighting against.”

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