The look on Essie’s face made it clear what she thought of the notion, which wasn’t lost on Austin. He shot her another glare. “I take it you have another idea.”
“Going to an unfamiliar location will only put you at a tactical disadvantage. Regardless of where she goes, Nina won’t be safe until that contract is either canceled or completed. Considering we don’t know who took out the contract, there’s no way to have it canceled. That leaves option number two.”
“Having me killed?” Nina’s voice shot up half an octave.
“No, but under the right conditions, we can create the illusion. I have a few ideas on how to accomplish that, and how to identify who initiated the contract.”
Arms crossed, Austin stared at Essie as though she were trying to sell him swamp land in the Everglades. “No offense, but why should we believe a goddamn word you’re saying?”
Trouble clouded Essie’s deep-blue eyes and creased the corners of her mouth. “During my time as an Agency operative, I justified some god-awful things in the name of keeping this country safe. Things that will haunt me for the rest of my life. But I always put my country first, no matter the cost, because it was expected of me, because I took an oath. Because it was the right thing to do. Vaughn killing for money…” She shook her head. “No, that’s just plain wrong. It goes against everything I stand for—everything he used to stand for—and I refuse to stand idly by and watch that happen. I don’t know if that’s enough for you to trust me, but it’s all I’ve got to offer.”
The muscles along Austin’s jaw clenched and unclenched several times. “Are you as good as Jackson says you are?”
A flicker of surprise and annoyance crossed Essie’s face. Clearly it had been a long time since anybody questioned her abilities. Not to mention, she probably wasn’t thrilled to hear that Jackson had discussed her particular skill sets with others. In his defense, he hadn’t shared any sensitive or classified information; he’d only said that she’d worked for the government and was one of the best in her field.
Essie’s gaze went directly to Nina, her voice calm and steady. “I can keep you alive if you trust me. But we may need to break a few laws to accomplish that goal.”
Nina’s pale eyebrows drew together. “Which laws?”
“Not murder, I hope. Strategically, with what I have in mind, things will work much better if Vaughn makes it out of this alive. But if it comes down to him or you, I won’t hesitate to drop him. Can you live with that?”
“Yeah, I, uh—yeah. I guess.” Though Nina didn’t seem happy about it, which was a perfectly normal reaction. Most decent people felt uneasy discussing the prospect of murder. “If that’s what it takes.”
“Good.” Essie leaned back in her chair. “Jackson told me you’re good with computers. Just how good are we talking?”
The question placed Nina back on familiar footing, and some of her usual confidence returned. “I can hold my own, but if you need anything beyond my abilities, we can always ask Larissa. If she can’t do it, it can’t be done.”
Apparently pleased with the answer, the ghost of a smile warmed Essie’s lips. It loosened some of the knots in Jackson’s gut, though he doubted they would fully unravel until he was certain that Nina was safe.
Austin, on the other hand, still looked as though he wanted to bash somebody’s skull in. “So what’s this great plan of yours?”
Still focused on Nina, Essie replied, “Considering the contract pays a premium if it’s carried out in a public setting, they won’t try to kill you at home or work unless it’s deemed absolutely necessary. We can use that to our advantage.”
“How?” Nina asked.
“Give them a public setting we control.”
“Jackson, we need to speak with you. Privately.” Austin’s gaze cut to Essie. “No offense.”
“None taken. If the roles were reversed, I wouldn’t trust me either.” She stood, her expression impossible to read.
Spy face, Jackson used to call it. The world could be exploding all around her, and she’d never so much as flinch.
“Take all the time you need. When you’re finished, you can find me in the break room.”
He almost asked if she knew the way, but stopped himself because of course she did. Situational awareness was one of her many superpowers.
No one uttered a word until after the door clicked shut behind her.
In his usual straightforward manner, Austin cut to the heart of the matter. “Something doesn’t feel right. She just happens to know the guy who happens to have been hired to kill my wife—your boss. Could this be some sort of setup?”
“Absolutely not,” Jackson replied without hesitation.
“No offense, but you still have feelings for her. Who’s to say that isn’t clouding your judgment?”
In a way, he appreciated Austin’s candor, even though it seriously pissed him off. “I understand your concerns, but I like to think I have the ability to assess the situation objectively. More important, I know Essie. She’d never lie to me about something like this. I’d bet my life on it.”
Face drawn tight, Austin’s upper lip peeled back in a silent snarl. “We’re not betting your life. We’re betting Nina’s.”
