He carried their deaths on his shoulders, and the guilt he couldn’t let go of had to be a terrible burden. He’d done the best he could with what he had as a teen.
She pointed out something to him. “I’m guessing your fierce need to protect Angie is because she’s special to you.”
That brought up a smile. “I call her my aunt. She was in the same orphanage as my mom. When Angie got adopted, she still treated my mom like her sister when my old man didn’t get in the way.”
Now Hallene understood why it had been so hard to find anything on Angela. Midnight might be a mastermind in the computer underworld, but Angela had built a fortress around herself no one had broken through until Hallene hunted for Sam.
She made a vow to him. “When we are done, I’ll give you everything we found on Angela. Although it is not much, my tech will send me a document on how she can better secure her identity ... and you can close holes in yours. To be honest, I can’t see how an intelligence agency would have found you without us meeting and my guy’s obsession with finding anything. Also, Angela has a wall of attorneys circling her.”
Sam smiled. “That’s good to know. Angie is more than financially comfortable. She was adopted by wealthy parents who left her their fortune. There’s not a snobby bone in her body. She lives a normal life and uses her funds to help others ... like me. I had no idea she’d found the boat.” Any lingering emotions slid off his face. He clapped his hands together. “We need to talk about our next move.”
She forced a smile for him when her stomach flipped over at all she’d learned. Sam would not appreciate sympathy.
He deserved her respect.
She said, “Still no word yet from my tech.”
“Oh well, we can sit here a bit.” He drummed his fingers on the table. Sam couldn’t sit still for long.
“Let’s get out of here and get some ice cream.”
Sam got the check, paid it, then took her arm on the way out.
Her head was clear. Her heart was happy.
The man at her side would be there for however long she needed him.
Leaves in trees next to the parking lot ruffled with a swirling breeze. Dark clouds hung in the east and would likely be here soon.
A feeling of impending doom swept over her.
She wanted to slap herself. That was no way to think positively. Midnight Ferret would send a text. She had no doubt.
Sliding into the passenger seat as Sam dropped into the driver seat, her gaze stopped on a mobile phone sitting on the console.
She hadn’t left one and Sam’s phone was still on airplane mode in her purse. Please tell her that was not connected to his team, but she knew better.
Who else would have put the phone there?
Disappointment iced over her earlier warm feelings. “You contacted your team. How did you do it?”
“Hold up, Hallene. I’ve been with you,” he said calmly.
“Don’t play word games with me, Sam.” Her heart began cracking into pieces. She’d trusted him and he’d lied to her.
He’d waited until he knew Angela and Clercville were safe, then he’d signaled his team.
