My dad squares his shoulders. “We need to alert—”
“Nobody’s alerting anyone.” My tone is firm.
My dad’s eyebrows arch. “You literally said that this information could have a massive impact on Anton’s safety, and now what? You’re telling me to sit on it?”
“Not forever. Just until Anton has a chance to tell his family on his terms. We owe it to him.”
“We don’t owe him anything but his safety. That’s what we were hired to ensure.”
I wet my lips, trying not to let my creeping fear about whether or not this is the right call show. I don’t know that I’d ever forgive myself if waiting to share this information somehow put Anton in greater danger.
“We’re doing that. We’re protecting him. We’ve done a good job. His mom is coming into town this weekend. He’ll tell her then. I can even encourage it.” I shake off the icky feeling of being a puppet master and press on. “I’m sure Duke will lay off whatever he’s planning once he realizes that Anton will be out of his way.”
“You can’t know that for sure.”
“None of us can know anything for sure, but I’d say it’s a logical bet. We can assess more after this information gets through the Penwick channels.” I glance to Terry, looking for some backup.
His gaze pings between me and Lennox, and he looks like a deer in the headlights.
“Rose has a point,” he says after a beat, and I want to cheer. Instead, I keep my face placid and make a mental note to buy Terry an extra-nice Christmas present. “Letting Anton spill the beans about his plans doesn’t really hurt us or him, does it? In fact, it may protect our position here. If word got out, he’d know Rose was behind the leak, and he might start asking questions. Better for it all to happen organically.”
“Exactly.” I shoot Terry a grateful smile.
My dad’s mouth is set in a firm line. “Fine, but if we get any new intelligence, I reserve the right to change my mind.
I dip my chin in acknowledgement and change the subject. “Do we have any other intel about what Duke is planning? Did Charles report in yesterday or today?”
Seriously, I’d like to know if that guy gets as much crap as I do, because I doubt it.
Lennox shakes his head. “Per Charles, Duke has been stowed away in his hotel room, working. He’s acting pretty unassuming, I’ll give him that.”
I weigh this. “I don’t like it. I feel like we’re missing something. Why hasn’t Duke made his move?”
“He could be lulling Anton into a false sense of security,” my dad suggests.
“But why would he need to do that at all? Anton doesn’t suspect him. Anton doesn’t know what we know. He’d have no reason to question Duke. Why not get in and get out? Get it all over with.”
“Who knows why criminals do what they do?” Lennox shrugs. “It’s not our job to understand them. It’s our job to prevent their plans from going through.”
I can’t argue with him there. Still, I don’t like it. “What are Duke’s plans for the rest of the week?”
“According to Charles, Duke wants to go sightseeing. He does have a meeting blocked out on his calendar for Thursday evening. There’re no details listed, and Charles hasn’t been able to get any information out of him about who it’s with or what it’s about.”
I square my shoulders. “Charles will be there, though?”
“As far as I know, yes.”
“As far as you know?”
“Rose, you are not point on this case. I agreed to let you have your way about sharing Anton’s news, but I’d appreciate if you let me do my job without the condescension,” Lennox snaps.
I hold up my hands. “I’m not trying to make trouble. I want to ensure Anton’s safety, that’s all. That’s my job.”
My dad hits me with a hard look. “Because it’s your job or because you love him?” He ends his statement with a scoff.
“Can’t it be both?”
“No. You’re a liability if your feelings are involved.”
