Night Watch (Kendra Michaels #4)(120)
Waldridge’s smile faded. “But not too busy to worry about my friend, Kendra,” he said quietly. “I’ve made a huge investment in her happiness. You will treat her well, Lynch.” Then he was once more smiling. “But then we both know that Kendra will not permit anything else. However, just remember: If you don’t behave satisfactorily, and someday you desperately need a heart or some other vital organ, I’ll see that you never receive it.”
Lynch looked at him, stunned. “Damnation.” And then he started to laugh. “Option six?”
Waldridge nodded serenely. “Option six.”
*
“YOU KNOW THAT THIS isn’t going to be a permanent arrangement,” Jessie warned Kendra as she reached into the passenger seat to get her duffel. “I’m not going to let my business go down the tubes while I play babysitter to Waldridge at some godforsaken back-of-beyond hideout.”
“I never expected that you would. I’m just grateful that you’re taking the time to protect him during the initial stage and set up his security.” Kendra made a face. “And I’m sorry that I can’t afford to pay you the kind of money Delilah Winter would throw at you for the job. I don’t even know if you’ll need hazard pay or not.”
“It’s part of my job to make certain that I won’t.” Jessie smiled. “And that Waldridge won’t either. I’ll keep him safe, Kendra. I’ll wrap him in a cocoon and won’t let him out until he’s finished his work. Before I leave him, he’ll be surrounded by top-notch people who will answer to me.” She looked at Lynch. “And to him. There’s no way Lynch is going to have it any other way. By the way, where is this place we’re going?”
“I don’t know. Things were moving too fast. I’ll ask Lynch when I take you to the plane.”
“That would be helpful,” Jessie said dryly. “I’ve moved around the world enough to have contacts almost everywhere, but I’d like to get things moving before we touch down.”
Jessie was operating at her usual top speed, Kendra thought. The knowledge filled her with both confidence and relief. “One other problem: Griffin knows you had a connection with Waldridge. He might try to find and question you. I don’t know if he’ll cause you any—”
“I’ve got it covered. I left a message on my answering machine that I was visiting my dad in New Orleans. Then I called Dad and told him to avoid anyone who might ask about me.”
“Will he be able to do that?”
Jessie chuckled. “Yes, and enjoy every minute of it. He’ll leave trails and blind alleys and make certain that Griffin’s agents just miss me every time.” She added, “Until I get back, and they happen to stumble on my dad and me in a piano bar on Bourbon Street.”
“But if Griffin suspects you’re playing him, he could cause you big-time headaches. He has mega influence with law enforcement in California.”
She shrugged. “I’ll take the risk.” She shook her head. “Stop frowning. You’re not responsible for me. Waldridge was my client before I even met you.”
“But I managed to pull you into a hell of a lot more than you expected to face.” She grimaced. “I thought it was over, Jessie. I didn’t want you to have to go through any more because I asked you.”
She smiled. “Hell, it was a grand game. Waldridge was worth it. We both knew it. I could have said no at any time. I didn’t do it. The only thing different I would have chosen is that I’d been the one to do that last bit with you. I’m alone a good deal of the time in my work.” She met her eyes. “I liked having your company, Kendra Michaels.”
Kendra nodded. Their experiences together had been wild and exciting and evoked memories of her past. It had forged bonds that she knew would last. “Another time? You were always challenging me. We still have unfinished business.”
“Another time,” Jessie agreed as she picked up her duffel and started and started across the tarmac. “And now to face Lynch. Did you tell him I was coming?” She held up her hand. “Never mind. I know. There wasn’t time. I’ll handle it.”
A moment later, Jessie stopped in front of Waldridge and Lynch. She turned to Waldridge and smiled. “Here we are again.” She shook his hand. “It’s good to see you. I’m glad if there’s trouble brewing, I’m going to get in on the beginning instead of the end. I’m much more effective if I can initiate preventative measures.”
“Kendra says that you’ll be everything I’ll need.” He smiled. “And that I have to put myself entirely in your hands. What a delightful idea.”
Jessie shot a wary glance at Lynch. “And what do you think about it, Lynch?”
“I think that you obeyed Kendra and not me in a situation that could have gotten her killed.”
“Yes.”
“Will that happen on this job?”
“It might. You know how situations change, and so do solutions. But I can promise you that I won’t act without immediately letting you know. Is that good enough?”
He was silent, staring at her. “You kept your word at the desert. Good enough. Get on the plane.” He was glancing at the sky. “Dawn’s starting to break, and the airport will be stirring. I want to be out of here in five minutes.”