Page 56 of No Reason to Trust

Jake frowned. “What makes someone decide to betray their country and the organization they work for?”

“It usually boils down to money.” Diana clenched her teeth. “That’s the case with this woman. She wants my job and has never hesitated to let people know that. I don’t mind that -- I like ambitious people. They work hard. Get things done. But this woman has massive gambling debts, and I’m sure that’s how the Russians recruited her.” She clenched her teeth, and Jake saw her jaw muscles twitch. “We’re gonna have to move on her soon, but we’re still working on gathering evidence.” She swiveled to narrow her eyes at Jake. “And that is need-to-know information. And no one else you know needs to know it.”

“Wouldn’t dream of sharing it with anyone,” he said.

“Even Olivia?”

“I’m not going to see Olivia again, so that’s a moot point.”

“You can’t know that. She might show up in D.C. and throw herself at you.”

Jake laughed, but it was a strained, forced laugh. “Trust me, ma… I mean Diana. Not going to happen.”

They’d reached Diana’s car, and she put her hand on Jake’s arm. “I’m sorry, Jake. Truly. Take the rest of the day off and do something fun. Interesting.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said.

Diana looked at him and rolled her eyes. “I’m guessing fun and interesting isn’t on your agenda. Do what you want with the rest of the day. I’ll expect you in the office tomorrow.”

“I’ll be there,” Jake said. He waited until Diana got into her car and drove off, then he slid into his own vehicle. He sat for a while, thinking about what he wanted to do. When nothing appealed to him, he drove to Rock Creek Park. A walk outside would kick his ass into gear.

Chapter 21

Livvy took her ten days off at the compound, working out, hiking in the desert, and going into Helena. She limited her trips into town, afraid someone would ask her about the job she’d been on. She was pretty sure she’d begin sobbing if anyone told her how much they liked Jake and asked how she and Jake had gotten along.

She ate in the dining room most nights, going into Helena once every few days but choosing restaurants that the Blackhawk Security people didn’t usually go to. She avoided questions by hiding in her apartment and working out during times when she knew everyone else had training.

At lunch and dinner at the compound, she felt eyes watching her but never looked around to see who it was. She was afraid that even a simple glance would open her up to intrusive questions. It was better to keep her head down. The only questions she wanted to answer involved her next job, which couldn’t come along soon enough. She wanted to get out of this compound where everyone was all up in everyone else’s business.

Finally, after catching too many people studying her, she knew she had to get out of the compound. So she went into Helena and ventured into The Trailhead. Fortunately, she was early enough that no one else from Blackhawk Security was there yet. She chose a booth in a corner and sat facing away from the door. If someone recognized her by her back? She’d have to deal with it. But she must have given off strong ‘stay away’ vibes, because no one slid into the other side of her booth.

Until she’d been back for almost a week. She was sitting in that same corner booth, working on a Guinness, when someone slid onto the bench opposite her. Livvy snapped her head up, ready to tell whoever it was that she wasn’t interested in company. Swallowed when she saw that it was her boss, Mel.

“How’re you doing, Livvy?” Mel asked quietly.

Livvy shrugged one shoulder. “I’m good.” Her fingers tightened around the glass of Guinness. “Not looking for company, either.”

Mel tilted her head. “And why is that?”

Livvy took a too-big gulp of Guinness and coughed several times. Finally, she cleared her throat and took another careful sip. “I’m taking my ten-days leave,” she said. “Recharging, you know? Exactly what we’re supposed to do after we finish a job.”

Mel nodded. “That’s good, but most of our operatives don’t take their ten days at the compound. They visit family. Friends. Sit on a beach with a beer in hand. Camp in the wilderness.”

“I’ve never been big on camping,” Livvy said, taking a too-big gulp of beer, then coughing. “I’m more a city girl.”

“Yeah?” Mel put her chin in her hand and studied her, and Livvy wanted to dash out of the bar. But she suspected that Mel would grab her if she tried to flee. “You were in a city -- Washington D.C. You could have stayed there and seen the sights.”

“Wasn’t interested in museums,” Livvy said, hoping her voice was nonchalant but pretty sure it wasn’t. She suspected it wavered. Stumbled over words. But she tried to gut it out. Shrugged her shoulders and said, “Plenty to do in and around Helena.”

“Really?” Mel leaned against the back of the booth, a teasing smile at the corners of her mouth. “Pretty sure Helena isn’t a hotbed of cultural life. Unless you’re into rodeos. They have a lot of rodeos here.”

Livvy flattened her hands on the table. “What do you want, Mel? I’m not working right now, and I want to be left alone.”

Mel tilted her head. “Why is that, Liv?” she asked softly.

Livvy managed what she hoped was a nonchalant shrug. “Not in the mood for company.”

“Any particular reason?” Mel asked.

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