Page 35 of Devil's Due

“Can you get her here? So we can talk to her?”

I remember the way she dismissed me last night. “Pretty damn certain I can’t. I wouldn’t even count myself as being in the friend zone right now.” She’d wanted me gone. But then, if she’s got all this worry on her shoulders, I’m not surprised. Being reminded Max’s microchip would reveal details that she wanted hidden would have been a shock. If she’s in Wit Sec, she would have wanted to talk to her handler. Of course, if she is here under a new identity, her safety means her keeping everything to herself. She’s not likely to spill everything to a virtual stranger.

Demon sees my dismissive shake. “Okay, if you can’t get her here, can you at least approach her? Find out what’s going on for yourself? You taking her to see the dog after his op?”

“She told me she’d sort herself out. I did tell her I’d call and find out how he’s doing.”

Demon stares down at his hands for a moment, then he looks up. “Force the issue. Go see her, Beef. Do your best to get her to open up.”

Cad scoffs. “If she’s scared for her life, she’s not going to say anything.”

He’s right. At the first sniff of trouble, she’ll run. But then, she might want to, but it’s not so easy for her. She could change her looks but the one thing she can’t pass for is a sighted person. Far easier for the world to have disappeared from her, than for her to disappear from the world. She can’t merge in with the background, however hard she tries.

“Got an idea, Prez.”

Demon nods at Cad.

“We found her. If her new identity hasn’t been found already, then it’s only a matter of time before it is. In the end, Cara said, it was easy.”

“Hold up. You only found her as you were looking backward. You still haven’t found who she was before she became Stevie Nichols.” I note Prez is sharp remembering everything Cad had said. He goes up in my estimation.

It seems Cad has taken that as criticism. His mouth tightens. “We’ll know soon. Cara’s still trying to track back. Would have started with that if I’d thought.”

I point out what they have forgotten. “Hang on, there was the accident. Her location could be already known if that car was targeting her.”

“What if it was just that? Someone falling asleep at the wheel as we first thought?”

I breathe out. It could well have been, that’s what I’d accepted at first. “So she could still be safe. If that fucking accident wasn’t deliberate.” Then I sigh. “But there’s the problem with the dog and his fuckin’ microchip. If…”

“Lots of ‘if’s’ there, Beef. Just hear me out?” When I nod, he continues, “Pal’s setting up a security business. He’s looking at security gigs at venues. Not too much of a leap to extend that to personal security. He even joked that you would be a good addition if we got into that.”

“Hang on.” I try and catch up. “You suggesting I become her bodyguard?”

Demon’s head tilts to one side. “Way to broach the subject, Brother. Rather than scaring her sayingI know you’re a fake,offer something up. Tell her you know she needs help, and you can provide it. In an official capacity.”

There’s no doubt in my head. “I’d do it anyway.”

“We know that. But she doesn’t. It at least gives you a place to start.”

Chapter Thirteen

“You recognised the sound of my bike.” I’d spent an hour yesterday listening for a rattle, but I’ll be fucked if I could hear it. I’d also parked a little way down the road, but clearly I hadn’t fooled her.

She’s holding the door open, enough so I can see lines on her face which weren’t there yesterday. Immediately I’m concerned.

“How’s Max?”

“He’s doing as well as can be expected. Came through the op, James put in a plate to support the bones, just got to wait now. He’s still under heavy sedation, no point me going to see him tonight. I thought you were going to call, not come around.”

“I wanted to talk to you.”

“I’m tired, Beef. I think it’s all caught up with me.”

She’s probably telling the truth, but I’m going to insist. “Babe, let me in. There are things we need to discuss.”

Her sightless eyes stare at me. “Is it money? Have the vets taken it out of your account? I’ll pay you back, Beef.”

“Babe, this isn’t about fuckin’ money. It’s about you and your life.” I’ve had enough. I step forward, crowding her. As she gasps my hands go to her biceps and carefully, watching what’s behind her, I push her back. Enough so I can kick the door shut behind me, then release her.

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