Page 15 of No Reason to Trust

After clearing her throat, Diana said, “Thank you for that. And you’re right. I’m responsible for all aspects of the FBI, including its reputation. I’m not about to let anyone damage our standing in the law enforcement community.”

“We don’t want that either, and I was certain you’d feel that way,” Livvy said, letting her shoulders relax. “That’s why I called you.”

“I don’t like the idea of a restaurant,” Redfield said. “Too many wagging ears anywhere in or near D.C. Instead, why don’t you and Agent Dunbar come over to my house tonight? I can’t promise a gourmet meal -- what you’ll probably get is pizza. But it’ll be secure and safe, and you’ll be able to talk freely without worrying that someone’s listening in.”

“That sounds perfect.” Olivia exhaled and let her shoulders relax. “Instead of texting me your address, why don’t you tell me now? I’ll write it down.”

“That’s smart, Olivia. Here goes. Are you ready?”

As Redfield spoke, Jake shoved a small notebook and pen toward her, open to a blank page. “Go ahead, Director.”

Redfield recited an address, and Olivia scribbled it down. “Got it,” she said. “What time would you like us to show up?”

“How about seven?” Redfield said. “That’s after the worst of the traffic, and it’ll let you watch for anyone tailing you.”

“We’ll definitely do that. I have a rental car, so we’ll use that in case people know what Jake drives.”

“Very good,” Redfield said. “I’ll see you at seven. And for God’s sake, be careful!”

“We will, ma’am. See you tonight.”

Livvy ended the call and swiveled to face Jake. “I think that went very well,” she said. “Redfield didn’t sound skeptical or suspicious.” She picked up her beer and took a pull. “She sounded like she actually believed me.”

“Why wouldn’t she believe you?” Jake said. “You were an excellent agent when you worked here and you left for a very good reason -- you feared for your life.”

“Yeah, but I never told her that. I just told her I had a great opportunity with Blackhawk Security and I was going to take it.”

“I’m guessing tonight she’ll ask for an explanation about why you left.”

“And I won’t hesitate to tell her.” Livvy took another gulp of beer. “Won’t pull my punches, either. I came far too close to dying in Brighton Beach, and if I hadn’t been really lucky, Iwouldhave died.”

“I think it’s time you told her exactly why you left,” Jake said.

Livvy swallowed. Drew a deep breath, then nodded. “Yeah, we have to tell her our stories tonight -- my experience in Brighton Beach, and what Nelson wants you to do in Sheepshead Bay.” She grimaced. “I realized after I left the Bureau that I should have given her all the dirt. Should have told her exactly what happened to me in Brighton Beach.”

Jake shrugged. “Yeah, you probably should have. And it wouldn’t have blown up on me, since I had a solid alibi for why I wasn’t in Brighton Beach, backing you up. Testifying at a trial -- especially a high-profile trial like that one -- holds up every time.”

“Why was it so high profile?” Livvy asked.

“The perp, who we caught when we stormed the house where the kid was being held, was a local police officer, a lieutenant. The shit hit the fan twenty-nine ways from Sunday. The perp tried to pin it on another guy, someone who’d kidnapped a kid a couple years earlier. But it turned out that guy was in prison when the kidnapping took place.”

“Oops,” Livvy said with a grin. “Rule number one if you’re gonna finger someone else for your crime? Make sure he’s not in prison.”

“Yeah. After that little tidbit, along with the kid’s testimony, which was rock solid, the lieutenant’s fate was sealed. No doubt about the outcome of the trial.”

They stared at each other for a moment that stretched a few beats too long, until Jake jumped up. “Let me show you where your room is,” he said, speaking too quickly. “You probably want to, ah, freshen up. Or something.”

Livvy’s lips twitched. She’d never seen Jake off balance, and was enjoying it. Instead of saying something snarky, which was her usual go-to, she said, “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.”

Jake led her to the spare room and waved her in. He pointed to the hall bathroom and said, “This is your bathroom. There’s another one in my bedroom.”

“Thanks, Dunbar,” she said. “I’ll put my stuff away, then we can talk about our approach to Diana.”

“Sounds good,” he said.

Livvy watched him swipe his hands down the thighs of his jeans -- clearly he was nervous about this.

She was just as nervous, but she wasn’t about to give him any indications of that. To make sure she didn’t, she closed the door in his face, then drew a deep breath.MyGod. She hadn’t been able to take her eyes off Jake since he walked into the kitchen with that Glock in his hand.

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