Was she throwing Hal under the bus? At this point, Sydney wasn’t sure. She just knew...Gunner hadn’t done this. “I want to look at Hal’s computer.”
Or rather the roomful of computers that he actually had.
“Sydney...” Mercer began.
“I want to check his data. He said the authorization code linked back to Gunner. Well, that code should have been deleted years ago. By Hal. I want to see his computers. I want to find out just what searches he used to find that intel.” Her heart was beating too fast, but Gunner didn’t seem to be defending himself. Why not? So someone had to prove his innocence.
She wasn’t wrong about Gunner. She wouldn’t be wrong. There was no way that he’d tried to kill her.
No way.
Mercer was studying her with his hard gaze. Sydney held her breath, waiting, then... His head inclined toward her. “Go search the computers.”
Yes. She nearly ran for the door. This was what she needed. What she had to do. Gunner was clear. Or he would be, once she was done.
Because she wouldn’t lose faith in the one man who’d pulled her from the darkness. He’d helped her before. She’d help him now.
* * *
SILENCE FILLED THE room after the door shut behind Sydney.
Gunner knew his body was too tense, but he wasn’t exactly in the mood to relax.
“She has a lot of faith in you,” Mercer finally said, voice considering.
Yes, she did. Enough faith to humble him.
“You didn’t seem to have as much faith in her.”
Gunner’s eyes narrowed.
“I mean, you were so sure that she’d go back to Slade, right? You were the one who backed away.”
“Listening to gossip, are you?”
“I listen to everything. In this business, you have to.” Mercer sighed. “I don’t like this.”
“You think I do?”
“I think you’re barely holding on to your control. You’re so worried about Sydney that you can’t even think straight.” Mercer stabbed a finger toward him. “Get your head in the game, Gunner. Stop letting your emotions rule you.”
He’d never let emotions rule him. Not until—
Sydney.
“If the evidence against you keeps piling up, I’ll have to act.”
Those words sounded like a warning.
“My gut tells me you’re clear. I know you, and I don’t want to be wrong about you.”
“You aren’t.” Neither was Sydney.
“Then find my perp. Bring me evidence that I can use to nail him to the wall.”
Gunner unclenched his jaw. “I want Cale Lane reassigned. Get him to start guarding Slade.”
He trusted Cale. No way would Slade slip by him.