Page 103 of Tattletale

“‘A’ for effort, but not quite, Lance. I need you tobringVienne to me. Alive and conscious. She and I have a lot to talk about.”

“How the hell am I supposed to do that? I’m her security detail. I don’t summon her, she summons me.”

“I suppose you’ll have to get creative.” Gabriel rises and fishes in his left pocket. My guns are raised once more in defense, but all he pulls out is a phone and sets it on the coffee table. “Here are the rules, Lance. This phone has a tracker. Keep it on you at all times. If I find out you’re following me, Fiona dies. If you contact your comrades, Fiona dies. If you fail to bring me Vienne, Fiona dies. Do you see where I’m going with this?”

“Your rules?” My jaw is clenched so tight, the words barely come out.

“Attaboy. That’s exactly right. My rules and my rules alone. Now, I’m going to walk out of here and give you six hours to get the job done. You’re going to get a text on that phone with the location when it’s time to meet me.”

He brushes against my shoulder as he passes. It’s so tempting, but I can’t give in to the urge to wedge a bullet into the back of his skull. “She was actually trying to help you. She stuck her neck out to get you to safety. And this is how you treat her.”

“Hey,” Gabriel snaps. It’s the first time I’ve seen him agitated during this entire conversation. “I didn’t start the games, don’t blame me for winning. And for the record, if she had wanted me, she could’ve had me. She threw that away for”—Gabriel points right at my forehead—“you. So don’t let her down, Lance. Get the job done, and let’s not make this messy.”

“Know what I’ve learned about men like you?” I ask.

“What’s that?”

“Your deals are usually dirty. You thrive off of fooling people. I’ll bring Vienne to you, and you’ll kill Fiona anyway.”

He shrugs innocently. “What choice do you have but to find out?” Gabriel pats my back before he leaves the room. “Keep that phone close,” he calls over his shoulder.

I look around my empty condo, feeling sick to my stomach with worry. Images in my mind of Cricket bleeding, bruised, and broken, lying in a torture chamber somewhere make me sick.

Hang in there, C. I’m coming. I’m going to fix this.I just need C to be strong enough to survive until I get there.

I pull out my personal phone and send a text message to Vienne.

Me

Hey, we need to talk.

I wait about twenty minutes, but there’s no response. I can’t imagine that the First Lady is glued to her phone. But also, I suspect I’m being ignored. So, I try a different angle.

Me

I met with Gabriel, and I have information about Project Tasmanian.

Vienne

You found it?

That, she responds to. Of course. I almost don’t feel bad about lying to her.

Me

Yes. But I’m going behind PALADIN’s back by telling you this.

We need to meet, in private. Then, I’ll give you all the information.

Vienne

Give me a few hours to arrange my absence. I’ll send you a location.

Me

Please hurry. Time is running out.

Vienne

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