Page 76 of Hidden Ascent

“If I can.”

“I’ll make the introductions to Sharpe if you give me all the credit for the idea of getting her in here.”

“That loses me the credibility I need.”

“All right, not all the credit, but I want him to know I was instrumental. That’s the only way he’ll let me be a part of whatever he decides to do with her. Those guys she killed were friends of mine.”

“I can do that. You found me, after all. The scenario makes more sense if we were in on this together.”

“Then you’ve got a deal.”

“Fantastic. Now, what do you want to do with her? You got anywhere secure we can lock her up around here?”

“Sure. This way.”

Simmo left the room, and Jay used his gun to point Isla toward the door. “You heard the man.”

“Don’t do this.”

“Too late now.”

She shook her head in disbelief as she stepped into the hall. “After everything we’ve been through.”

He shrugged. “Don’t take it personally.”

“I do.”

“Well, it’s not. It was simply too good an opportunity to pass up. I’ve got a job to do, and John Sharpe is the kind of man who has a lot to offer someone in my line of work.”

“It won’t work. Now he knows you’re a traitor. If you’ve done it once, you’ll do it again.”

“We’ll see.”

Chapter17

Simmo ledJay and Isla back down to the first floor, then down one long corridor before they entered a large room with a barred door on one wall.

“What is this place?” Jay said. “I thought it used to be a hospital?”

“It was. They kept all the goodies locked up in here. Too bad it was empty when we took over the place.”

“From what I hear, you guys got plenty to go around.”

Simmo snorted. “Ain’t that the truth? Don’t get me wrong, I always respected Mr. Blanchet, but Sharpe’s on a whole new level. It’s been a wild ride. Blanchet never would have had the guts to do half of what Sharpe will do. You’re smart getting in with Sharpe. He’s going places.”

“Why do you think I’m here?”

“You should let me go,” Isla said. “You’ll have a team of agents in here before you know it.”

“Oh, yeah?” Simmo said, stepping up to her, but not too close. “Let me guess. If I let you go, you promise not to tell anyone we’re here?”

“Better that than risking the black helicopters that will be hanging overhead soon.”

“I think we’ll take our chances,” Jay said.

“You think I’m lying?” She glared at him.

“I know you’re lying. Your mouth does this little twitch thing when you lie. It’s cute, but it means you’d make a terrible poker player.”

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