She barely took a breath as she repeated the story, and when she finished, he waited for her to take a few deep breaths before he spoke.
“Wow. That’s quite a story. I wasn’t lying about the fourteen-hour shift, though. Where are you now?”
“I just got back to my office at UNN.”
“Stay there until I get off. If what you’re saying is true, I don’t want you roaming the streets of D.C. alone.”
“Makes sense. Fourteen hours, though?”
He chuckled. “I’ve already been at work for six. You can hang out at your office until eight-thirty, can’t you?”
“I suppose,” she agreed.
“At exactly eight tonight, I’m leaving here. There’s an Italian restaurant near UNN studios. Have a trusted friend take you there. Or I can come get you.”
“I would rather discuss this in private. A restaurant is far too public to talk about this stuff.”
She wasn’t wrong, but he didn’t like the idea of being alone with her, either. There weren’t many other options, though.
“OK Carrie, I’ll pick you up and we can go to your apartment. Do not leave your building until I get you. Are we clear?” His voice took on a commanding tone that he only used with his men… and certain women he had agreements with.
“Crystal clear. Thank you, Peter.”
“It’s Agent Mercer, and don’t thank me yet, Miss Davenport. I haven’t said I believe you.”
“You must think there is some merit to what I’m saying, or you wouldn’t be meeting me.”
“I’ll see you in a few hours.”
Peter pulled out his laptop when the call ended. He wished he had asked a few more questions about the attempted kidnapping. If there was an accident with a limo, though, it might be easy enough to put in some phone calls and see if it checked out.
How many limos could have possibly been in traffic accidents last night?
Turns out at least three. And those were just the ones that had police reports attached to them. He pulled out his personal cell and called a friend on the metro police force.
“This is Detective Silas.”
“Michael, how are you? It’s Peter Mercer.”
“Peter, it’s been a long time. You finally decide to take a day off or something?”
Peter laughed. “No. But maybe soon. Listen, I’m calling for a reason. I can see some police reports in the system on three accidents that happened last night. Can I get you to send me copies? I can’t access them.”
“Do I look like a traffic cop to you?”
“Don’t give me grief. I’ve helped you get information for a case before. This pertains to someone I’m protecting. I can go through official channels, or you can get me what I need now.”
“Fine. Which ones are you looking for?”
He rattled off the information and waited for Michael to pull them up.
“System is slow. You gonna be part of the new club Gage and Edith are opening?”
“I was there on Friday. I’ll be heading up security for the first few months.”
“Darci dragged me out there to help with renovations one day last week. It’s gonna be special. The property is perfect.”
Peter chuckled. “If you want to assist me with security, consider this your invitation.”
