Page 55 of Fast Justice

Oceane made a high-pitched sound of distress and clapped her hands to her face as her knees buckled. Lockhart caught her just before she hit the ground.

Chapter Nineteen

Rowan had her files in front of her and her laptop open, but after the news she’d just received, there was no way in hell she could concentrate on work. Ruiz’s attorney had countered with another deal, but they weren’t taking it. The offer she and Val had made him the other day was the only one he was getting. His only other option was going to trial, with the possibility of life in prison or even the death penalty if he was found guilty.

And he wasgoingto be found guilty.

Her phone rang, and when she saw Malcolm’s number her heart kicked hard. “Hey,” she answered with a sigh, leaning back in her chair to stretch her back. “You heard what happened?” She was still shaken by it.

“Yeah. I wondered if you had.” He sounded tired.

“They called my team right away. They’re checking the building right now and putting another marshal outside for surveillance. God, I just can’t believe what happened.”

“Yeah. It was bad.”

“Where is Oceane now?”

“The FBI wanted to interview her, but under the circumstances they’ve allowed her to go see her mother.”

Rowan blew out a breath and rested her forehead in her palm, stunned. “She was incredibly loyal to and protective of her bodyguard. She trusted him.” With her life. With her mother’s life. God, how awful.

“I know.”

Rowan had been furious when she’d thought Oceane or her mother might be involved with the bombing, but now she felt terrible for them both. To have to kill someone you cared about so much, and then lose your mother right after, and in such a horrifically violent way? Rowan didn’t even know what she would do in Oceane’s shoes.

“TheVenenocartel members are all animals,” she said, her voice taut. Making Ruiz die in prison was a step. A small step, but an important one. It showed that even the top cartel hierarchy were vulnerable, and could be extradited to the United States.

“Not arguing.”

“WITSEC is supposed to be completely secure,” she said, getting angry now that the initial shock was wearing off.

“I know. It shouldn’t have happened at all.”

“And how did they find them so fast?”

“Exactly. That’s what investigators are trying to find out.”

“I asked my detail about Victoria but they haven’t told me anything yet. Is she safe?”

“Yes.”

“Are they going to move her now, in case everything’s been compromised?”

“No. The orientation center is on lockdown and they’re checking to make sure it’s still secure. I don’t think the location’s been compromised. Taggart’s sending Hamilton over to see her at a secret location now.”

Rowan sat up and leaned back in the chair. “Good.” She was an important source of insider info on the cartel. Names, faces she’d seen or heard during her research as a journalist and then her subsequent captivity. Not only that, but the woman had already endured far too much suffering. Rowan couldn’t stomach the thought of anything more happening to her.

With Victoria on the stand, they could bury Ruiz. She had a powerful presence about her. They had all her statements recorded and transposed, but hearing her testimony in her own words would be twice as powerful. And Rowan wanted Victoria to have the opportunity to look at the piece of shit responsible for her suffering and know she was helping put him away forever. Maybe it would even help her heal a little.

“You hungry?” he asked, abruptly changing the subject. “I know you haven’t eaten yet.”

She sighed, pushing aside the stab of guilt for thinking of something so trivial as food when Oceane was hurting so much. “I’m starving.”

“I’m gonna run home and shower, then I’ll grab something and bring it over. Be there around eight or so. That okay?”

“That’s perfect.” She needed to see him.

Burying herself back into her work helped the time fly by. The next thing she knew, he was at the door. One of the marshals assigned to her checked the door before letting him in, and Rowan’s heart swelled at the sight of him.

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