Heavy Artillery Husband (16 page)

Frank raised his pistol and kneecapped the man closest to the crumpled door. The men flanking Farrell fired, coming closer to hitting Frank's position.

Above the noise of combat, Frank thought he heard Sophia shouting again. He checked, a murderous urge beating in his blood, only to find her armed and Farrell doubled over.

“This way!” he called to her, pinning down Farrell's men with covering fire as she ran to join him. Once she was clear, he pushed her behind him and took the pistol she'd taken from Farrell.

He hefted another smoke grenade and rolled it into the space between them and Farrell's men. They moved closer to the egress, and once Sophia was clear, he pulled the pin and threw another grenade deep into the warehouse. The explosion pushed at the walls as they ran for the safety of the rental car.

Farrell and his men in the warehouse were too busy trying to survive the explosion to give chase. Frank cranked the engine and put the car into Reverse, hurrying away from the compounding destruction as fast as he dared. He wanted to make sure their car wouldn't be caught inside a taped-off crime scene, but he also wanted to be sure the men didn't escape the authorities.

Sirens wailed up and down the pier as police cruisers rolled in and a fireboat churned up the water as it rushed into position.

Frank kept the car running, watching it all unfold from the corner of the parking lot. In the passenger seat, Sophia shivered. Her hands were fisted tight enough to turn the knuckles white.

“We're almost clear.” It was the best reassurance he could offer. Everyone was focused on the warehouse. No one cared about a dark blue sedan.

“You did great,” she said. “Look, the cops have him now.”

Farrell was in cuffs, several of his men behind him. It was a beautiful sight. He turned to kiss Sophia, and his priorities changed when he took a hard look at her. “You're pale. Are you sure you're okay?” Her hands were clamped between her legs and he didn't know what to make of that strange, not-quite-neutral expression on her face.

“I'm fine.”

She didn't sound fine. “What happened in the office?” He thought about the scream, the way Farrell had cut her off when she shouted. “Are you hurt?”

“It's not serious.”

He put the car in gear and drove away from the pier, aiming for the nearest hospital. “You need an emergency room.”

“No, it's not bad, I swear.” Her breath hitched. “A rib. That's all. We can't risk an emergency room right now. You're still wanted for murder.”

“Who cares? I'm not taking any chances with your health.”

“Look at me,” she said when he stopped for a traffic light.

He obliged. There were signs of pain in the set of her mouth, the squint of her eyes. “Sophie.”

“I'd tell you if I needed a doctor.”

“Promise?”

“You can look me over when we get back to the room.”

“I'll hold you to that.” If he decided she needed medical attention, he wouldn't let her argue.

“Good.” She raised a hand and flicked it, indicating he should move along. “I saw an email on the system,” she said, her breath catching. “Halloran ordered the warehouse cleaned.”

“Guess we helped him out with that explosion.” Anything that ultimately helped Halloran maddened Frank, but there hadn't been a choice.

“I don't think we'll get a thank-you note.”

His short laugh made her mouth twitch in a semblance of a smile. “Is that all you found?”

“Not even close.” She reached under the collar of her shirt and pulled out the flash drive. “Your distraction gave me just enough time. We'll see what we have when we get back to the room.”

And after he checked her ribs.
“How did you get out of Farrell's grasp?”

She chuckled and then sucked in a breath at the pain. “He should know better than to put a woman on her knees. His crotch was a prime target. Great job with those grenades.”

“Thanks.”

“One more thing. I changed the passwords, locking them out of the system and preventing them from wiping any more data.”

“Nice.”

“I couldn't let you have all the fun,” she said.

“Of course not.” In all their years, he'd never seen Sophia do anything other than lead by example. Though he'd prefer to spare her any amount of pain and suffering.

He didn't let down his guard until they were back in the hotel room with every available lock engaged.

It worried him a little when she didn't mount much of a protest as he checked her injuries. Her ribs were bruised on the right side, but nothing felt broken. The red welts were already rising and she'd be black-and-blue in the days to come. As she'd said, it wasn't serious, though she needed rest.

He knew better than to suggest it. “We need supplies to tape your ribs...and something for pain.”

“I'll be fine.” She gave him a wobbly smile. “Bring me the laptop. You're going to want to see this right away.”

The familiar gleam in her eye relaxed him more than anything else. Although she was battered and unhappy about it, her focus hadn't wavered. He helped her get comfortable on the bed, then settled beside her.

Silently, he prayed the risks were about to pay off. He didn't know what he'd do if they couldn't get a net over Halloran and put an end to Hellfire.

Chapter Twelve

Sophia inserted the flash drive into her computer, eager for the relief she knew would flood Frank's face when it all came together. “Getting past the security was easy. They never updated their software and they were too arrogant or neglectful to change the basic admin access codes.”

“Was it too easy?”

She turned her face up to look at him, her gaze dropping to his lips for a moment. Kisses should probably wait. “Are you asking if it was a decoy?”

He nodded.

“I don't think so. Take a look.” When the files came up, she angled the laptop a bit more for Frank.

He placed his cheaters on his nose and started reading. Those half-glasses shouldn't be a turn-on. He was so sexy, his serious blue eyes taking it all in. In a silly burst of curiosity she wondered if her cheaters had the same effect on him. The man made her want to sigh, though her aching ribs prevented such a response.

He whistled as she pointed out the files she'd managed to grab. Halloran and Farrell had communicated openly with Engle and the crew through emails they considered secure. “Arrogant bastards,” Frank muttered.

“As I said, he's ordered inventory cleared out and hard drives wiped. Unfortunately, he can't finish without the new passwords. He can call in someone to help him get back in, but that will take time.”

“If we'd waited another day, it would've been too late.”

She nodded as he continued to read, his eyes narrowing and his lips flat-lining as the scope of Halloran's treacherous operation started to click. “We have files with monthly reports showing the product and transports. It will take some digging to learn how they diverted the containers.”

Frank grunted. “Special Agent Torres suspected Hellfire was behind some of the lost gear.”

“The proof is here,” she said quietly. “Farrell and Lowry must have won the contract as part of the wink-and-nod system. The contract violations are the least of it.” She adjusted the pillow at her back, giving herself a moment as she opened another window. “There was an archived file on Torres, and another on you.”

“Kill orders.”

She nodded, though it hadn't been a question. “I can't believe Halloran communicated so candidly about the diverted shipments and tweaked manifests, but the murder?”

Frank tugged off his glasses and gave her a weary smile. “Expecting code words and secret handshakes?”

“A girl has her standards,” she said, trying to follow his attempt to lighten the mood. They'd survived to this point and, bruised ribs or not, she wasn't giving up yet. “Halloran must already know we were there. When he hears where I was found, he's bound to panic.”

“I've been thinking about his exit strategy and options,” Frank said, tapping his glasses against his thigh. “He knows his options. He's made a plan.”

It took some effort to keep her mind on the data rather than the man beside her while she waited for him to explain.

“How do you suggest we use this?” he asked.

“I'd prefer to send pieces to various places. CID, the reporters and Eddie, too.” She hesitated, a little concerned about his reaction. “Because I wasn't sure how much time I had in there, I already forwarded a string of emails to Leo Solutions.”

He shifted, dropping his head with a soft thud against the headboard and rubbing his eyes. “Are you using this as leverage against Halloran or me?”

“Oh, stop it.” She would not force him into a reunion he wasn't ready for, no matter how eager she was to become a whole family again. “You know me better than that. No one at the office even knows to look for the emails.”
Yet.
“I want to contact Halloran and offer to trade this proof of his crimes for our lives.” That wouldn't quite restore Frank's reputation, but it was a step in the right direction. “With CID's help we can sort out how he railroaded you.”

“Halloran won't go for it.” Frank stood and started pacing the room. “He knows I have to throw him under the bus to clear my name.”

“We know he's prepared an escape route. The details might be in here.”

“If they are, he's moving on to plan B right this minute. At this point, his only chance is to skip the country.”

She concentrated on taking slow, careful breaths. “No statute of limitations on murder,” she said. “Arranging an exchange for this particular material, evidence he could never shake, is the key. We'll still have plenty to use against him to clear your name. Ideally, we can get a confession out of him.”

“Sophie.” Frank sighed. “The man isn't a fool.”

“No, but we've made him desperate.”

“Desperate men do crazy things,” he warned. “Let CID take it from here.”

“We can do that,” she admitted. “Or we can make sure he doesn't slip past them. If we get Leo Solutions involved...” She stopped short at the dark look in her husband's eyes.

“I will not put Frankie in the line of fire,” he stated.

She flashed him a look that had made people from several government agencies stop and reconsider. “Find a better argument. Halloran has been using every weapon at his disposal against us, including the press. We have to counter with everything we've got and prove we are the stronger force.” The uncertainty in his blue eyes told her he was reconsidering. “If we leave it, that half-baked attempt on the company could be an all-out assault next time,” she persisted. “Now is the time to make a stand, and to bring in the heavy artillery.”

That earned her a choked laugh. She counted it as progress.

Frank raked his hand through his hair and tugged at the roots. She sympathized with his frustration. Halloran had played a nasty game and they were so close to stealing a win.

“I won't allow you to push us away again.”

“Sophia.” He sighed, his eyes so sad. “They nearly killed you a few hours ago.”

She pulled the clip out of her hair, shaking it loose, an effective distraction for him. When his gaze warmed, it melted the last of the persistent chill in her veins from the near miss. “They didn't succeed. All thanks to you.”

He turned his back to her and she realized how close she was to losing everything. Again. How many times could a woman pick herself up from a pit of despair? If he went after Halloran alone, thinking to protect her and Frankie, the odds of restoring his reputation and life were slim to none. If he walked away in some misplaced gesture of honor, it would break her. She refused to give him the option.

She ignored the discomfort and slid out of the bed. The short carpet was rough under her bare feet. She moved up behind him. His muscles felt warm and strong beneath her palms when she pressed her hands to his shoulders. She dug her thumbs into the tension at his neck. “You know that bringing in Frankie, Aidan and whoever else we need at the company is the right tactic,” she murmured quietly, letting the words drift over him.

“She's...” His voice trailed off.

“She's not a child,” Sophia reminded him. “She
is
a warrior, Frank—you know that.” She swallowed back the urgency, the desperation. She couldn't give Frank any reason to dismiss her idea too quickly. “We have to look at our daughter as a peer in this case, not as our baby.” She kept up her massage as she shared her idea. “There is one man left.”

“One man with who knows how much support.”

She ignored that for the moment. “We have Frankie, Aidan and the assets of our company.”

“Your company.”

She ignored that, too. When this was over, they could argue ownership versus partnership. “The point is we have backup. Let's use it, throw everything we've got at him. Halloran and Hellfire will crumble under the barrage.”

He reached up and trapped one of her hands at his shoulder. “You won't take no for an answer, will you?”

“Would you, in my place?”

“No.” He took a deep breath, let it out slowly. “I've never stopped loving you,” he said quietly.

“I know.” While she hadn't appreciated his distance or extreme methods, in his shoes she would have done whatever seemed necessary to protect the family. That was what she was doing right now, in fact. The challenges and pressures of his career and hers had reinforced their independence even as they'd been forged into a team. Through different means and skills, both of them had a deep, intrinsic need to protect and defend. Had there ever been two people better suited?

“I love you, too.” She hoped the depth of love rekindled through this crisis would make them stronger—strong enough to stick together through the rest of their lives. First they had to survive this. If even one of the bastards slipped free, they'd forever be leery of another attack. She wouldn't allow that kind of trouble to hover over her family's horizon.

He turned around, cradling her face and kissing her with devastating tenderness. Relief and hope washed over her in a sweet wave. Her lips moved against his, giving back every precious touch and affirmation that they would get through this together.

Frank eased back, his hands gentle on her arms. “I don't want to see Frankie until Halloran's in custody. Not until it's all over.”

“Why not?” She thought she knew, but better to hear it from him, to make him state his reasons aloud.

He took a sudden interest in the ceiling. “I can't,” he whispered. “I don't want her to see me when there's a cloud hanging over my head.”

She felt for her husband. Frank had shouldered the weight of a bad situation and blamed himself for the actions of a few bad men. “She never stopped believing you were a hero,” she reminded him, though it wouldn't change his mind.

He said nothing.

“Let's work out the details of tempting Halloran,” she offered, “and then we can decide who else we'll need from the company.” Getting him back into analysis mode was essential to wrap this up.

He nodded, his mind working on the tactical problem again. “The money isn't enough of a lure. The password lockout might not be enough.” He sighed. “How do we convince him we haven't already passed the murder evidence up the line?”

She loved watching her husband think. Or pace, or simply sleep, she admitted, yanking her mind back on point. “What if we make it personal?”

“It's never been anything but personal. These are proud men, Sophia.”

“I know the type,” she muttered.

“The stakes in Hellfire were clear from the start,” he continued. “Failure carries the death penalty. Everyone involved created places to hide in countries that don't cooperate with United States extradition orders. Much as we can't stop until we catch them, they can't leave anyone alive who knows their secrets.”

She'd suspected this from the beginning, watching the ax swing ever closer to Frank's head. Hearing the brutal facts stated so simply in his resounding baritone threw her heart rate into high gear. “We need a confession,” she insisted. “We'll be the bait. You and me. We can offer him the evidence if he lets us be. We'll choose the place and Leo Solutions can watch our backs.” It was the only option left, Frank had to know that.

“They'll anticipate the move,” he argued.

“I know. We'll give them what they expect to see.”

“Which is?”

She swallowed the ball of nerves lodged in her throat. “A scared wife and mother begging for mercy.”

Frank snorted. “He'll never buy into that. He knows you, remember?”

She'd preen over that compliment later. “Well, maybe a variation on that theme.” She returned to the bed and her laptop to draft the email that would hopefully bring Halloran close enough to catch.

They worked and debated every word until Frank was sure they had the hook in deep. They set the meet for tomorrow on the first ferry from Seattle to Victoria, British Columbia.

“What next?” Frank asked as she booked the ferry tickets online.

“As connected as Halloran's spies have been all along, I think it's only fair we let him think he's got us. I'll ask for what I need from Leo Solutions in a way that looks benign to Hellfire in case that hack left them some access the company hasn't spotted yet.” She started typing her email, fine-tuning that as well before she filled in the recipient address. She glanced at Frank. “Thoughts?”

His eyes widened, his salt-and-pepper eyebrows arching as the scope of her suggestion took shape. “A spin on the classic headache ploy.”

“Yes.” When Frankie had started going out on her own to parties and on dates, they'd taught her she only had to call home, claim she had a headache and Sophia or Frank would come get her, no questions asked.

“You're sure Frankie will understand what amounts to a coded message?”

“Absolutely.” A few months ago her daughter had been avoiding every attempt at contact or reconciliation. Now Sophia enjoyed a close relationship with Frankie again as if no time had passed. It would help that she'd kept Aidan updated through a private channel since she'd left the hotel in Chicago. She didn't see the wisdom in revealing that to Frank just yet. The plan gave him enough to chew on as it was. If everything worked, he'd be reunited with his daughter before the three-hour ferry trip was over.

As long as no one died.