Page 112 of Second Chance Savior

“I can’t guarantee that.”

“Charlotte, this is the deal,” she said gently. “Aren’t you politicians all about compromise?”

“There are still gaps in your story,” SAC Stanford complained. “Like how Mr. Kwon realized there was a threat against you in the first place.”

“You’ll have to ask him.”

I resisted the urge to check the clock on my parents’ wall again. I’d been answering Stanford’s questions for about as long as I could stand it.

Well, answering the parts I felt like explaining.

I’d told Brynn I would give her an hour. But I was getting impatient.

Stanford looked down at the notepad he’d been scribbling on. “Now, you said that you and Mr. Kwon stayed at a cabin. But you have no idea where this cabin is located. Is that right?”

“Yep.”

“Nor could you remember exactly when you arrived at that cabin or when you left.” The special agent made no effort to conceal his skepticism. I couldn’t blame the guy. I was being difficult. “Any recollection of what happenedatthe cabin?”

Oh, I remembered that part. Vividly. “I stayed in bed, mostly. Resting.”

“Are you sure you weren’t in contact with anyone else before that? No one else helped you?”

“Not that I can recall.”

He lifted a bushy eyebrow. “You’re not testifying in front of Congress, Lieutenant Governor. I need you to be forthright because lives could be at stake if what you’ve told us about Stillwater is to be believed.”

I rubbed my eyes. I didn’t have to feign my exhaustion. “I realize that. But it might help if you let me take a break. I need a shower and a change of clothes. A hot meal. Or is that not allowed? I thought this was my parents’ house, but you seem to have taken it over. Agents are breathing down my neck even when I try to go to the bathroom.”

He sat back in his chair. “You’ll stop bullshitting me if I agree to a break? Because right now, it seems like you’re giving me the runaround.”

“Guess we’ll just have to see.”

“I guess we will. I have the feeling you’re someone who usually gets what she wants. Fine, we’ll play this your way.” Stanford chuckled and grabbed his notepad. “But if you don’t start talking to me after this little break of yours, then I’ll be the one calling and complaining to the governor.”

Stanford dismissed me, and I made a beeline for the stairs. I had an agent babysitter on my heels. But when I got to my parents’ room, I closed the door in her face. “I’m showering,” I said. “Be right out.”

But instead of going to my parents’ bathroom, I went to the window overlooking the side of the house.

No agents in sight. Perfect.

I shoved open the window and stepped carefully onto the roof of the porch, moving as gingerly as possible so I didn’t alert anyone downstairs. I’d asked Brynn to make sure thisside of the house was clear. But I had to assume that agents were moving around. Doing whatever it was they were doing. I would have to be quick.

From the porch roof, I stretched my arms toward the nearest tree. Once I had a firm grasp of a couple of branches, I jumped, clinging to the trunk. The branches rustled. I froze, waiting for someone to realize I was escaping. But no one had heard.

From there, I jumped into the next tree and managed to shimmy down, winding up with splinters all over my clothes and pine needles in my hair.

I waswaytoo old for this.

But at least I was down on the ground.

The ATV was uphill, just where I had asked Brynn to leave it. Beneath a tree scarred by lightning. Brynn had also left my pack with the satphone, some supplies, and a handgun. Too bad I couldn’t take my bow and the hunting arrows, but that wasn’t very practical in reality.

Most importantly, the front pocket of my pack held the key to Jud’s safe deposit box. I took a deep breath when I saw that. My friend had come through. Just as I should’ve trusted she would.

Thank you, Brynn. I’ll owe you one.

I started up the engine and got the hell out of there before anyone could stop me.

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