Page 56 of Cooper's Command

“On the way to where?”

“The DEA office. Cartwright needs that second ledger.”

“Wait. There’s actually another ledger? Nova wasn’t bluffing in there?”

“Move now. Talk later. They’ve got ten minutes on us, and I doubt Nova can stall for that long.”

Flint snagged his arm. “We’ll take my truck. With any luck, Blake will meet us partway. But in case she can’t get to us in time, I know a shortcut. But the ride’s going to be a nightmare at the speed we’ll need to go.”

Cooper nodded. “Then, I’ll be sure to buckle up.”

“You know,Martin, if I’d realized sticking a gun in your face would keep you quiet, I would have brought one to all our meetings.”

Nova snorted. “And if I’d known you were a traitorous bastard, I would have brought one, too.”

“Language. I’m still your boss.”

“The only thing you are to me is dead.”

Cartwright laughed. “Tate always said you were a spitfire. He wasn’t wrong.”

Nova glared at him. “Did you turn on Tate, too? Is that how Moody was able to get the jump on him?”

“Tate died because he underestimated Moody’s reach. But for the record, no, I didn’t turn on Tate. Moody wasn’t important or close enough to risk any fallout.”

“But Paulin was, which is why you had him killed.”

“Paulin was a fool. There were only two rules he couldn’t break. Stick to the schedule and don’t, under any circumstances, use drugs that had been confiscated by you or Tate. And notbecause either of you were especially gifted, but because you’re both too fucking relentless. You just dig and dig and dig, completely oblivious to whether you’re breaking any laws or crossing any lines. And I knew if either of you got involved, it would end up right where we are, now.”

“I assume Paulin didn’t listen.”

“The idiot broke both of them. That’s what got him killed and what started this epic shit show.”

Nova shrugged, taking the next exit. It would only add five minutes to the drive but any amount gave Cooper a chance to catch up. Assuming he’d figured it out. She really hoped he had because for the first time in her career, she didn’t see a way out. Not one that resulted in her still breathing. “How inconvenient for you.”

“What’s inconvenient is having to leave my position because you just wouldn’t die. Simmons had one job and yet, here I am, resorting to Plan B.”

“Is that the one where they catch your ass and throw you in jail?”

“They? Who’s they?” Cartwright laughed. “Harris and his teammates?”

“I wouldn’t underestimate them.”

“It’s not a matter of skill, it’s simply logistics. Even if they’ve found that officer, they have no idea what happened. There weren’t any cameras or CCTV coverage in the area, no one knows I’m on the island and you… You’re a wanted fugitive. By the time this is over, they’ll believe whatever I tell them.”

“Maybe.” Nova spared him a quick side-eye. “Or maybe Cooper will simply kill you.”

“Better men than him have tried.”

“I’m sure others have tried. But none of them were better.”

Cartwright frowned. “Just pick it up. I don’t have all night.”

“You wouldn’t want me to get pulled over for speeding would you? Like you said, I’m a wanted fugitive and I’m sure every cop on the island has my photo.”

Cartwright edged closer. “Don’t push me, Martin. While this is easier with you still breathing for a while, I’m not above shooting you, here and now. So, find the gas pedal, and I’ll worry about the cops if you get pulled over.”

Nova clenched her jaw, wondering if she should simply drive the vehicle off the road — maybe down an embankment like the ones she’d avoided during her other escape. Though, with her luck, she’d be the only one who died.

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