Page 84 of Once a Hero

“How long is that going to take?” Jake asked.

“Maybe hours, maybe days.”

“So we’ll go to Paris and wait?”

Beatrice could not read his mind. His question could be taken in so many ways. She decided to take it at face value.

“We have a rental chateau outside Paris in which we can do some work.” She did not mention that Ansel’s team had probably arrived with tourist visas.

“A chateau,” Jake repeated.

“It’s not a vacation destination.”

“I know.”

“We may not go there if we can get all the information we need in flight.”

Jake seemed to study her. “You’re not afraid of Molyneux at all, are you?”

“Should I be?”

Jake shrugged. “She’s only the world’s deadliest criminal.”

“And my adoptive mother.”

“The ironies of life.”

“From time to time, I’m still sad that she killed Dad. However, my brother and I have had grief counseling. If I see her face to face, I would feel sorry for her. I was angry with her for a long time, but now I only feel pity for her.”

“And yet you want her to live.”

“In prison for the rest of her life, yes.” Beatrice spun in her chair and faced Jake. “Everyone deserves a second chance, even Molyneux.”

“You have a generous heart, but I can tell you that there are many governments who want her dead.”

“If she dies, she dies.”

Jake’s eyes widened and then his face softened. “If they recruit you to work for them, say no. Just say no.”

“What are you talking about?”

“If I were recruiting for the FBI, I would ask you to join us.” He hesitated. “However, I won’t because it’s a messy world where I work. I don’t want you to… I mean, I feel like you shouldn’t… Uh… I don’t know what I’m saying.”

“You’re trying to tell me what to do with my life.”

“I was just trying to…”

“Protect me from the big bad world?” Beatrice said it half in jest, but Jake didn’t laugh.

He looked deadly serious. “If I have the privilege to, I would guard you with my life.”

It was a heavy statement to hear.

And unexpected.

Surprisingly unexpected.

Chapter Thirty-Four

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