I raised my hand to flag down another cab. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“It’s admirable. You have no idea how many times I wish I could do something similar, but I can’t, because there’s too many assholes over me who think they’re smarter, better, and cleverer. You’d be given a pink slip on your first day in office.”
“I never wanted any promotions,” I reminded him as another cab started to pull over.
“I know, which is the other reason I passed you over. My advice, Mal, just keep your fucking head down and we all might just survive this. They’re going to start a witch hunt, and your need for theright kindofjustice is going to get you crucified. What you found out in Anchorage no longer matters. This case is no longer about fact. It’s a photo op and the truth will become whatever it is that they need it to be to make them look good.”
I got into the cab and gave the driver the address. “She’s avenging herself. She’s not a menace to society or a danger to anyone who is not on her list.”
“They’ll make her out to be a martyr. If you’re right, and they learn about itin their way,” he added pointedly, “thenthey’ll catch her, claim how sorry they are that justice failed her, and then lock her up and throw away the key. She’ll only be remembered whenNetflixdecides she’s worthy of a documentary.”
I winced, the dichotomy that had been warring inside of me since I first learned the name ‘Holly Marteen’ screaming at me at the unfairness. “Protect Mira,” I told Carr, needing to end this conversation so I could be alone with my thoughts. “I’ll be back in Atelihai Valley within two hours.”
“I’ve got Mira. Watch your back, Mal.”
“You too,” I said before hanging up. I pocketed my phone for a heartbeat before pulling it out again.Pick up, I silently ordered when the dial tone echoed in my ear.Pick up, pick up, pick up…
“Master?”
I let out a long sigh of relief. “Little Owl.”
“Sir, are you okay? You sound…”
“I’m fine, love. I just…” I cleared my throat. “I needed to hear your voice. It’s been a rough morning.” Fuck, what time was it? Glancing at my watch, I realized it wasn’t even eleven yet. The cookies Mrs. Pascal had packed for me would have to serve as my lunch, though I was far from hungry now.
“How can I help, Sir? What do you need?”
“You,” I answered automatically. “I need you.”
Her little laugh had my cock rising in my suit pants. “You have me, Sir.”
“Not currently. This fucking case…” I whipped my hand down my face. “Look, pet, I don’t know what’s about to happen, if I’m going to be stuck in Atelihai Valley or transferred back to Juneau. I don’t know when we’ll be able to see each other again, and that’s not okay with me.”
I heard something in the background like a door closing. “Me either, Sir. It’s funny. I got asked last night if I’m happy. And I thought about my life. IthoughtI was, but when I thoughtabout my work and my apartment…that’s not what made me feel happy. But as soon as I thought ofyou, Sir,” I could hear the smile in her voice, “I realized what would make me the happiest.”
The cab slowed and then stopped. I looked out the window, realizing we were already at the landing pad. I paid the total, not paying attention to how much I tipped, and got out of the vehicle. “My job’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Is it nuts that I’ve been thinking about retirement?” I chuckled. “I’m not even forty yet.”
I started climbing the concrete steps to the pad as she asked, “What would you do, Mr. FBI, if you weren’t Mr. FBI?”
I shrugged. “To be honest, I have no idea. Being a cop, righting wrongs, that’s all I ever wanted from my life.”
“All, Sir?” she asked, her voice turning a little impudent.
I chuckled as I reached the top of the stairs. Waving at the pilot from across the pad, I made the signal that we needed to go. “Listen, pet, I’m about to get on a helicopter. We’ll need to switch to texting.”
“Of course, Sir. I need to get back to work, too.”
“Will you keep your phone on you?” That wasn’t something I could order.
She hesitated and then said, “Yes, Sir. Even if it distracts me, I want to keep talking to you.”
The whirl of the rotors started up. I put a hand to my other ear and turned my back on the landing pad. “Thank you, pet. You just earned yourself another dart.”
“Oh boy, Sir. Maybe I’ll land onDirty Talkthis time. I’m really looking forward to that one.”
I groaned and glanced down, the tent in my pants agreeing with her. “Behave, pet. I still have to make it through the day without completely embarrassing myself.”
She giggled. “I’m sorry, Sir.”
