Page 53 of Hidden Falls

“Harry’s a loose cannon, Lei. You’ve always said so. And now you’re in a foreign country with her and one CIA guy. How is this safe?” Stevens was now fully awake and riled up.

Why had she called him, exactly?

Lei fought to steady herself; she was scared and out of her depth but had to hide it because anxiety was contagious and solved nothing. “Everything’s on track. I just wanted to hear your voice and tell you everything’s fine.”

But her voice wobbled.

That wasn’t going to reassure him, and it didn’t. “Come home, Lei. You don’t get to take these kinds of chances anymore. Neither of us do. We’re parents now.”

“But Harry’s a parent too. Wouldn’t you want her to help us if one of our kids were snatched? She would. No questions asked.”

A short silence: he knew that was true. “Call Sophie. Get one of her security teams over there. If you don’t, I will.”

“Too much presence might blow our cover.”

“And too little could get you killed. Either call Sophie and her people or come home. I’ll give you twenty-four hours before I contact them myself and hire them with our own credit card.”

Lei digested that. “Fair. I don’t like this situation either.”

“Finally. My wife admits it’s too much. Must really be bad.” His chuckle was humorless.

“I don’t know where we’re going with the case, frankly.” The armed compound seemed even more impenetrable after she and Cruz finished counting the guards and mapping their movements. “I’ll tell Cruz and Harry we have twenty-four hours before you call in the cavalry. I’m going to blame you one hundred percent.”

Michael wasn’t fazed by that. “That’s something, but a lot can still happen in twenty-four hours. Are you safe, right now?”

“I’m in a Holiday Inn. And breakfast just got to my table.” The plate of egg and steak fajitas she’d ordered appeared. “Doesn’t get better than that in the capital city.”

He blew out a breath that ended as a sigh. “Stay safe, okay?”

“I will. I love you.” She ended the call, set the phone aside, and picked up her fork.

The egg and beef strips with tortillas with salsa were delicious. Lei cleaned her plate and waved for another cup of coffee. The waitress brought a thermal carafe over and set it down just as Cruz stuck his head into the restaurant, glancing around. He looked mysterious and sophisticated in a loose, white linen shirt over black trousers and sleek athletic shoes; a straw fedora and shades hid his eyes.

Lei waved. “Over here.”

Cruz fixed his gaze on her. He moved through the restaurant like a man who knew how to dance.

What was wrong with her?

Lei loved her husband. She couldn’t wait to get home to him and her children.

And yet . . .

“Buenos días.” Cruz sat down on the bench seat of the booth and took off the hat and sunglasses, setting them beside him on the leather seat.

He’d shaved. His hair was damp and curling; he smelled lemony. His eyes and teeth sparkled.

“Good day to you as well.” Lei gestured to the pot of coffee. “It’s not too bad.”

“Don’t mind if I do.” He poured himself a mug and took a sip. Grimaced. “You have low standards.”

“I guess.” She shrugged. “The brew at the station could peel paint.”

“You look rested, though, after last night. That’s good.” Cruz’s gaze wandered over her appreciatively.

Lei pushed her empty plate aside. “I was sacked out from the minute I got in the door. Sorry I wasn’t any help with Harry. How’d she respond to the information, by the way?”

He shook his head. “Not well. I’m hoping a good night’s sleep will help.”

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