Page 104 of Tattletale

Thank you, Lance. I knew I could trust you.

I suck the air between my teeth as I consider the huge line I’m about to cross. Vesper would probably put me down if she knew I was contemplating this. I can’t be certain that Gabrieldoesn’t intend to hurt Vienne. But that’s a secondary concern. I need to see Cricket alive, then I can work my way out of this mess.

Truthfully, there isn’t a damn line imaginable that I wouldn’t cross to save my girl.

Even if that means kidnapping the First Lady.

TWENTY-NINE

LANCE

This timeit’s me picking up Vienne in an alleyway behind the Japanese restaurant where President Baker’s birthday party was held. Apparently, her hankering for sushi was believable enough and she was able to forgo her security for a quick, private dinner.

I roll down the passenger window of my blackout sedan just a few inches so she can see my face. Then, I roll the window back up.

Within seconds, the passenger door opens, and Vienne slides into the car. We drive down the alley, just a few buildings in case anyone in the restaurant noticed Vienne lurking around.

“It’s odd to see you in jeans,” I say, assessing her attire. Her light, floral perfume fills the car with a pleasantly crisp scent. It humanizes the moment more than I want it to. What I’m about to do doesn’t feel very human at all. I’d prefer to detach.

“I love blue jeans,” she says. “It’s one of my least favorite things about being the First Lady. Every time I leave home, it’s a fashion show.” She pats the cushioned car seat on either side of her. “I can’t remember the last time I was in the front seat. I miss driving.”

“You can’t drive?”

She shakes her head. “No. It’s a steadfast rule for my own protection.”

“I’ve always said your home is a prison.”

“In a lot of ways,” she muses. “Anyway, I don’t have a lot of time. Shall we get to it? What did Gabriel say about the bomb? Is it functional? Can it be destroyed?”

I sigh heavily. I had intended for there to be more small talk. Gabriel isn’t supposed to text me for another hour. “Can you open the glove box for me?”

“Sure,” she says with a confused expression. When she opens the compartment, she finds one of my pistols. By the time she looks back at me, my other pistol is pointed at her face.

“I’m really sorry,” I say sincerely. “Please understand no part of me wants to do this. But Gabriel has Cricket.”

It’s strange how Vienne doesn’t scream, panic, or plead. She’s perfectly composed, looking right past the gun and into my eyes. “So that’s how he got to you,” she says. “Cricket.”

“Do you have any idea where he’s keeping her? If so, maybe we can avoid all this.”

Vienne runs two fingers over her cherry-red lips. “I have a few guesses. Nothing concrete.”

“I’m supposed to bring you to him…alive.”

She folds her hands together in her lap. “Then lower your gun, Lance. I won’t run. It’s time to get to the bottom of this anyway.”

“You’re not frightened?”

“Not remotely.”

“You don’t think he’d hurt you?”

“I didn’t say that,” she answers, pairing it with a heavy sigh. “I just said I wasn’t afraid.”

I have a black hood and duct tape in the center console. I thought I would be wrestling Vienne into submission. Her cool and collected demeanor is throwing me off and making me thatmuch more apprehensive about my decision. I don’t know what to believe anymore.

“Cricket told me something before she disappeared…”

Vienne lifts her brows. “Okay. Being?”

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