Cody Walker's Woman

D’Arcy spoke up. “Out of five attempts we know of—they found my car at home rigged the same way. It’s a miracle I’m not dead.” He quickly explained the circumstances to Callahan and McKinnon. Then he added, “I’m placing both of you in protective custody. Neither of you leaves this building without armed protection.”

Callahan shook his head, his voice implacable. “That’s okay for my family, but I have to be able to operate on my own.”

Keira saw D’Arcy’s face change and knew a fight was brewing. She said quickly, “What if the four of us operate as a team?” The men at the table looked at her, then at each other. “You’re all targets,” she explained. “I’m not.” Cody frowned, and she emphasized, “My name isn’t on the list.”

She looked at D’Arcy. “All of us have been working this case already. Trace and I are partners. Walker and Callahan have worked together before, as have Trace and Callahan. Between the four of us, I think we can guard each other and not get in each other’s way in the investigation.”

“It’s a risk,” D’Arcy began, but Callahan spoke up.

“I’d go for that.”

Keira cast him a grateful look before turning her eyes to her partner. “Trace?”

“If you and Callahan think it’s a good idea, I’m fine with it.”

Keira turned to Cody. “What do you think?” She could tell by his expression that he was torn, and her eyes pleaded with him. Please, don’t, they said. Please, don’t object. I love you, but, please, don’t humiliate me. Not again.

Cody glanced down at the notepad in front of him, and when he raised his eyes to hers again she saw pride and respect overcoming his fear for her. “Fine by me,” he said lightly, and only Keira knew what it had cost him to say it.

She turned back to D’Arcy. “Sir?” He gave her a long, considering look, and she remembered her private interview with him just under three weeks ago. “I took your advice, sir,” she said as if they were the only ones in the room. “I’ve moved on.”

He smiled slightly, acknowledging her point. Then he nodded. “Okay.” His eyes encompassed everyone at the table. “You are all responsible for each other. And each of you is answerable to me.”

Keira knew Cody’s eyes were on her, knew he wondered what she meant by her statement to D’Arcy that she’d moved on. But she also knew he wasn’t going to ask. Not when anyone else was around.

She allowed herself a tiny smile, remembering that morning and the questions she’d been burning to ask him but couldn’t because Sabbatino and Moran had been there all through breakfast. And then afterward, Cody had made sure they were never alone, so she hadn’t been able to ask him why D’Arcy had wanted to speak to him privately. Two can play that game, she thought. Now maybe he’ll understand what it’s like.

At least he hadn’t humiliated her just now, the way he’d done this morning when he’d told D’Arcy they could be guarded together. She had wanted to contradict him then, but something had held her back. Maybe it was the way he had refused to look at her before he answered. Maybe it was the way his jaw hardened in profile. Or maybe it was because he’d told her this morning in the car that she seemed to be ashamed of loving him, and she didn’t want him to think that. Whatever the reason, she’d held her tongue, and she was glad now.

Cody was speaking to Callahan. “We’ve had more than two dozen teams working this investigation, and in two weeks we haven’t found anything indicating the New World Militia is a threat. Not the way it was when Pennington was running it. No illegal arms. No drugs. Nothing of that nature.”

He held up a hand as Callahan started to speak. “I know, I know. Tressler’s dead. I’m not ignoring that. But what if that was something separate—maybe still connected to the militia—but not directly related to the big picture?”

“It’s possible,” Callahan admitted.

“The militia has been resurrected, no question.” His voice dropped a notch. “But what if it’s a blind? A cover-up hiding the real scheme?”