Page 52 of Countdown

“Then talk to Ryan. Please?”

He sighed. “When he comes out.”

“Thank you.”

For the next thirty minutes, they listened as Ryan and Freddy talked in circles. Ryan finally shoved his hands in his pockets, the first sign of irritation she’d seen from him. “We’ve got youdead in the water here. I’ll give you some alone time to think, then we’ll do this again.”

The man sighed. “Whatever, Detective. My answers will still be the same.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “And you can’t keep me here much longer without charging me.”

“I’m aware.” Ryan left the room and seconds later stepped into the viewing area. “I’m sorry, guys, he’s just not budging. Unless the search of his car and hotel room turn up something else, I’m going to have to release him.”

“Raina wants to talk to him,” Vince said.

The detective rubbed his chin. “It’s not something that’s really done.”

“But you can make it happen?” Vince asked.

He paused, his concerned eyes narrowed. “Are you sure about that?”

“I’m sure.”

“No promises, but let me see what I can do.”

He left again, and in less than fifteen minutes Raina found herself outside the interrogation room door fighting off nerves and the desire to run—and wishing it was Vince by her side instead of the detective. But when Ryan pushed the door open and gestured for her to enter, she stepped inside.

The man chained to the table looked up. And frowned. “What’s she doing here?”

“So, you know her?” Ryan asked.

He blinked. “No. Why? I just wondered why she was here. She’s obviously not a cop.”

“You’re lying,” Raina said, her voice low. “You broke into my house, and when you failed to kill me there, you came to the hospital and tried to kill me there. I want to know why.” His eyes met hers, and she lifted her chin, refusing to be intimidated or back down. But a hint of uncertainty niggled at her. She wasn’t a hundred percent sure she was right. Keeping those thoughts to herself, she pressed. “Why?”

“I don’t know who you are or what you’re talking about. I never broke into your home and I was at the hospital on business for a client. End of story.” He slid his gaze from hers to Ryan. “And now, it’s about time you let me out of here.”

“We still have a few minutes,” Ryan said.

“Then I’ll just sit here and wait for those minutes to tick by.”

And that’s exactly what he did.

Ten minutes later, to Raina’s fury, the man walked out of the police department and climbed into an Uber. “Can’t you follow him?” she asked, her gaze bouncing between Ryan and Vince.

Ryan nodded. “I’ve already asked for an unmarked to follow them. We’ll see where he goes.”

His words took the edge off her ire and she drew in a deep breath. “All right, now what?”

Vince took her hand. “Now, we regroup and plan, but first, I have a surprise for you.”

CHAPTER

THIRTEEN

Vince refused to tell her his idea until they were buckled in his vehicle and heading out of the parking lot, then he glanced at her. “So, as far as the case is concerned, I’ve got calls in to my supervisor to have John Tate get in touch with me. He hasn’t yet, but that doesn’t mean he’s not going to. Second, Holt is having a guy go undercover to meet with your dad and find out about the ring. Third, my buddy checked in and said Michael was doing fine and his family were still safe. Fourth, my partner Charlie said our protectee is recovering and he’s called in another marshal to help out while I take some personal time off.”

“Wait, what? Personal time? But—”

“I want to, Raina. I want to be there for you.”

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