Page 110 of Second Chance Savior

She straightened, snapping to attention as an older man walked into the living room. He had a stern, dignified air. An FBI windbreaker over his dark suit pants. I had met SAC Stanford before, but I hadn’t worked closely with him. He had a reputation for having a stick up his ass and an obsession with rules. Which, frankly, gave me hope that he’d never accept bribes. Brynn was willing to vouch for him, and that did carry weight with me.

If the man gave me what I wanted, then we wouldn’t have any issues.

“I want to see River.”

Stanford removed his FBI ball cap. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible just yet, Lieutenant Governor. There are questions that need to be answered first.”

“Such as?”

“Such as where you’ve been since the attack on the botanic gardens. Why you, River Kwon, and Jud Hale all wound up at your parents’ house, and Mr. Hale is now lying dead in the driveway.”

“Jud Hale was working for Stillwater. I have his full confession on video, as I’m sure you’ve already heard. Or didn’t Brynn send that to you earlier along with her request for backup?”

I glanced over at my friend, and she shrugged.

“She didn’t send the full video, but the clips I saw were enough. I am on your side, Lieutenant Governor. I want to get to the bottom of this as much as you do.”

“I guarantee you don’t. Because you barely have any idea of the full extent of what’s been going on.”

“Exactly why I’m asking you to enlighten me.”

“I will.AfterI’ve had a chance to talk to River and confirm that he’s not hurt.”

Stanford crossed his arms, shifting his weight. “You have my word that he’s fine. He had some minor injuries and received treatment from one of our medically trained agents.”

“Forgive me if I’m running low on trust at the moment. I’m not asking you to turn him loose yet. Just let me speak to him. The man is a hero who’s saved my life countless times in the last few days. Not to mention a former Navy SEAL with an exemplary record. If you want, I can get the governor on the phone and turn this into a pissing contest. Or better yet, give an exclusive to the media. Whichever newsroom answers their phone first. I’ll tell them how you’ve besmirched a war hero as a terrorist, blaming him instead of the criminal organization you’ve been denying even exists. I could keep going.”

I stopped talking to catch my breath.

I was bluffing so hard, I could’ve blown down the forest with all this hot air.

But it worked.

Stanford heaved a beleaguered sigh. Then signaled to the agent guarding the doorway. “Take the lieutenant governor to see Mr. Kwon. She can have ten minutes.”

“I want privacy. I’m speaking to him alone, or I won’t cooperate further. You haven’tbegunto see my stubbornness.”

Stanford gave Brynn a sardonic glance. “You said thelieutenant governor wouldn’t be too happy to see us. You were right.”

Brynn smiled. “I often am.”

“Ten minutes,” Stanford said again. “Then you and I will talk. Youwillanswer my questions.”

We’ll see about that, I responded silently. But I nodded, eagerly following the other agent out the door.

They had River out in the garage, sitting up against my father’s worktable. Like Jud had been before. He had his ankles crossed casually, hands cuffed in front of him, but otherwise he looked comfortable enough.

Except for the nasty swelling that peeked out from beneath the bandage over his nose.

I made sure the door was closed, and we were alone. They were probably listening right outside, but this was good enough.

I rushed over to River. “What happened? Who did this?” I checked him over, turning his head this way and that.

“A man who is very much dead, thanks to Agent Stanford.”

“So you’re part of the man’s fan club too?”

“Hardly. But I can see you’re on the warpath, and I don’t want you worrying about me.”

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