Page 32 of Spy With Me
“I don’t think that was your plan, Zachary.” Arthur set hiskit down and leaned against the fence posts. “I thought we were trying to findyour mum before Huisman gets to her.”
“I know, but I also know finding my mom is only part of whatyou and Lacey are trying to do. Lacey has a much larger mission, and she’s beenworking on it for a long time. If bringing Devi here is going to upend herultimate goals, then I’ll figure something out. I don’t know what yours is. Iknow you’re here to help Lacey, but I still haven’t figured you out yet.”
Arthur shifted the Tilley hat on his head, setting it backslightly. He wore a pair of glasses and had a wedding ring on his left hand.“Believe it or not my mission is to make this world a bit better. I do that byhelping people like Lacey and others, and by helping these animals find a homewhere they aren’t abused. Where they can live a natural life. I believe Laceywould say that your mission is important to our work since Shannon Reed is theonly one in the world with the detailed plans on how to build her bombs. Wehave some intelligence about Huisman buying property in Asia. Nepal, to beexact. There are a lot of rumors as to what he’s built there. I’m worried aboutwhat he’s planning, which is why I don’t think this is a good time for you tobe working out your personal relationships. Especially when they could bringthe world down on us.”
“I’m not calling in the cops,” a soft voice said, and heturned.
Naturally Devi was standing there, and she seemed to havefound a robe and some socks. She looked young and pretty and vulnerable.
He wasn’t good enough for her, and she knew it.
She sniffled slightly and her shoulders went back, chincoming up in a stubborn expression. “I’m not a snitch, Zach. I might not workin the same world my cousins do, but I understand it.” Her eyes caught on theanimals standing together by the water trough, and she gasped a little.“Highland cows. That’s what she meant byhillycoos.They’re so cute. Are they like the cat in the closet?”
He was unaware there was a cat, though it didn’t surprisehim. The chickens walked around like they owned the place. He found himselfstanding up straight, fumbling for words. “The whole place is an animalsanctuary. Lacey works with a group that saves animals from bad situations andtakes care of them.”
“The cows were sick and scheduled to be put down becausethey’re old and the farmer didn’t want to waste money on their healthcare. Ourorganization paid him to let us take them. They’re doing well now,” Arthursaid. “Are you talking about the pregnant calico who won’t let anyone touchher?” When Devi nodded he went on. “She’s got a week or so before those kittensarrive. I worry she’ll abandon them or not let anyone near.”
“She seems to like the closet in my room. Well, the room I’min,” Devi said.
“Do you want me to move her? I can find another place forher,” Zach offered.
Devi sent him a frown. “You think I would evict atraumatized pregnant cat from the only place she feels safe?”
And he couldn’t win. “I was only trying to make youcomfortable.”
She stared at him for a moment and seemed to make adecision. She turned to Arthur. “You in charge of the animals?”
He shook his head. “Just their healthcare. Lacey does theheavy work when it comes to the farm. Members of the group take turns. Shespends six weeks here, and then she’s back to Liverpool or off to whereverDisrupt sends her.”
Not a single look of recognition hit her eyes. So hercousins had really kept her out of it. Disrupt was the main organization thatHuisman used as a front for his many schemes to burn down civilization.
“Well, I’m going to require a litter box and some warmblankets and probably some thick gloves because kitty likes to scratch, butshe’ll need more room if we’re turning that tiny closet into a felinehomestead. And some cat treats. I’m befriending her. Slowly, of course.” Shelooked to Zach, a bit of challenge in her eyes. “I volunteered in shelters mostof my life, and I’ve fostered both cats and dogs. She needs patience. She washurt, and she has to process that pain and figure out if it’s worth it to riskherself again.”
Were they still talking about the cat? He wasn’t sure.
“I don’t believe I’m needed here anymore. As we say here inWales,tan ytronesaf.”Arthur tipped his hat and picked up his bag. “Tell Lacey I’ll be back to checkon Mel and Cass in the morning. Until then, I’ll be in town. Remember what Isaid. There are more people at risk than you can imagine.”
Arthur walked away, disappearing behind the cottage whichled to the dirt road that would lead him from the farm.
Devi stared after him for a moment as though trying tofigure out where she’d seen the man before. Or putting off the moment she hadto deal with Zach. Yeah, it was probably the latter.
It was afternoon, the soft light playing over her red hairand bringing out the gold in it. “I’m sorry about your clothes. They’re not dryyet. Lacey has some specific ideas on what appliances do and don’t harm theEarth. She’s picking you up some clothes in town. If you like I can get you alaptop and you can order some things. I’ve got a couple of IDs we could use.”
She turned his way, her lips curving down. “Because you’re acriminal.”
There it was. That twist of the knife he hadn’t expectedfrom his sweet sub. They hadn’t fought even once while they’d been together.They had harmony between them and a peace he’d never known. Like most things inhis life, it had been an illusion. “I assure you I had them from when I was anoperative.”
“But you were lying while you were an operative.” Shewouldn’t allow him to get away with anything.
“I was, but not until later. I went into the Army because Iwanted to. As I approached the end of college I realized… I don’t know why I’mtelling you this. You don’t want my personal history.”
“I thought I knew your personal history.” Devi shook herhead. “I thought you went into the Army because you wanted to serve yourcountry. Now I know… Look, none of this matters.”
She was right. It didn’t. He’d fucked up with her, and hewouldn’t be given a second chance. “I’ll call your mom and she can coordinatehow to come get you. I can take you to London and leave you with your uncle’steam there.”
McKay-Taggart had an office in London, though unlike the USoffice it had an extra name attached. McKay-Taggart and Knight. Of course, hemight get his ass arrested if he walked in there with her since there was anInterpol Red Notice out on him.
“My mom will hunt you down,” Devi vowed. “I don’t think youshould call her. It would be a mistake.”
