Page 25 of Fast Kill

“This man.” He pointed straight at Dillon and her heart sank. “Not only was he present at Baker’s party that day, but according to some of the men captured during the Bahamian sub operation, he was responsible for organizing the shipment. He’s the right-hand man of one of theVenenolieutenants. Name’s—”

“Dillon Wainright.” Her voice was hollow, wooden.

If the agency was already investigating him and suspected he was linked to aVenenolieutenant, the decision about what to do had already been taken out of her hands anyhow. If she wanted to keep her job and avoid being investigated herself, she had no choice but to come clean immediately.

Chris blinked at her in surprise. “That’s right. How did you—”

“I know him.”

His eyebrows rose. “Youknowhim? How?”

“We were in foster care together from when I was twelve to fifteen.” For three hellish years Dillon had stuck it out with her in that house, enduring too little food and frequent beatings, all because he hadn’t wanted to leave her there alone.

Chris sat back slowly, staring at her. “Wow. Okay.” He seemed to regroup for a moment. “Have you had any contact with him since then?”

She nodded, already decided on giving just enough information to help the agency proceed with the investigation, without volunteering every detail about their relationship, or last night. She’d already betrayed Dillon by asking for this meeting. She didn’t want to be the one to bring him down as well, even if he deserved to face justice for whatever crimes he’d committed.

“A few phone calls over the years, an occasional email.” Pausing, she drew a deep breath. “And I saw him last night.”

Those keen blue eyes locked on her like lasers, making her want to squirm as much as her conscience already was. “So you recognized him on the footage yesterday and didn’t say anything.”

Heat burned in her cheeks, but the rest of her felt icy cold. “Yes.”

“Jesus, Taylor.” He got up, rubbed a hand over the back of his neck as he paced behind his desk for a moment. “Why the hell didn’t you say anything?” he asked, voice full of frustration.

There was no excuse. None that the agency would accept. “It was a shock to see him after so many years. And I kept hoping it was just a coincidence, him being at the party.”

He stopped and pinned her with furious blue eyes. “Well, it’s not. He’s working for one of their damn lieutenants, Taylor.”

She bit the inside of her cheek and dug her fingernails into her palms, feeling queasy. It was even worse than she’d imagined. All she could do was nod.

He pushed out an impatient sigh. “What did he want? Last night?”

“Just to see me.”

“At your house?”

“Yes. He got my address from a former social worker we used to be close to, and was there waiting when I got home.” She left out the part about him pulling a gun when Logan showed up, because she already felt stupid enough for being duped into letting Dillon into her house.

“Christ. Does he know you work for the agency?”

Prickles of cold raced down her neck, traveling along her arms to her fingertips. “He suspected. I didn’t confirm it.” But he’d known. He’d known before ever showing up at her door. Whatever it meant, it couldn’t be good.

He swore under his breath. “All right. Look. I’m gonna need your phone and access to your laptop and desktop.” He held out a hand.

She pulled her phone from her purse and handed it over without a word. Inside, she was shaking. Were they going to fire her for this?

“Do you know where he is right now?”

“No.” Hopefully somewhere far away where she’d never have to lay eyes on him again.

“Is he still in D.C.?”

“I don’t know.” It wouldn’t surprise her if he’d left town last night, after their conversation. Or even left the country.

Now Chris looked truly worried. “Is he going to make contact with you again?”

“I doubt it.” She’d made her feelings clear enough last night.

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