“I don’t know. Things were moving too fast. I’ll ask Lynch when I take you to the plane.”
“That would be helpful,” Jessie said dryly. “I’ve moved around the world enough to have contacts almost everywhere, but I’d like to get things moving before we touch down.”
Jessie was operating at her usual top speed, Kendra thought. The knowledge filled her with both confidence and relief. “One other problem: Griffin knows you had a connection with Waldridge. He might try to find and question you. I don’t know if he’ll cause you any-”
“I’ve got it covered. I left a message on my answering machine that I was visiting my dad in New Orleans. Then I called Dad and told him to avoid anyone who might ask about me.”
“Will he be able to do that?”
Jessie chuckled. “Yes, and enjoy every minute of it. He’ll leave trails and blind alleys and make certain that Griffin’s agents just miss me every time.” She added, “Until I get back, and they happen to stumble on my dad and me in a piano bar on Bourbon Street.”
“But if Griffin suspects you’re playing him, he could cause you big-time headaches. He has mega influence with law enforcement in California.”
She shrugged. “I’ll take the risk.” She shook her head. “Stop frowning. You’re not responsible for me. Waldridge was my client before I even met you.”
“But I managed to pull you into a hell of a lot more than you expected to face.” She grimaced. “I thought it was over, Jessie. I didn’t want you to have to go through any more because I asked you.”
She smiled. “Hell, it was a grand game. Waldridge was worth it. We both knew it. I could have said no at any time. I didn’t do it. The only thing different I would have chosen is that I’d been the one to do that last bit with you. I’m alone a good deal of the time in my work.” She met her eyes. “I liked having your company, Kendra Michaels.”
Kendra nodded. Their experiences together had been wild and exciting and evoked memories of her past. It had forged bonds that she knew would last. “Another time? You were always challenging me. We still have unfinished business.”
“Another time,” Jessie agreed as she picked up her duffel and started and started across the tarmac. “And now to face Lynch. Did you tell him I was coming?” She held up her hand. “Never mind. I know. There wasn’t time. I’ll handle it.”
A moment later, Jessie stopped in front of Waldridge and Lynch. She turned to Waldridge and smiled. “Here we are again.” She shook his hand. “It’s good to see you. I’m glad if there’s trouble brewing, I’m going to get in on the beginning instead of the end. I’m much more effective if I can initiate preventative measures.”
“Kendra says that you’ll be everything I’ll need.” He smiled. “And that I have to put myself entirely in your hands. What a delightful idea.”
Jessie shot a wary glance at Lynch. “And what do you think about it, Lynch?”
“I think that you obeyed Kendra and not me in a situation that could have gotten her killed.”
“Yes.”
“Will that happen on this job?”
“It might. You know how situations change, and so do solutions. But I can promise you that I won’t act without immediately letting you know. Is that good enough?”
He was silent, staring at her. “You kept your word at the desert. Good enough. Get on the plane.” He was glancing at the sky. “Dawn’s starting to break, and the airport will be stirring. I want to be out of here in five minutes.”
“Right.” Jessie looked over her shoulder as she entered the plane. “Waldridge, I want to go over your complete daily routine as soon as we get in the air. I’ll need it to set up a schedule…” She was gone.
“Trust her.” Kendra took a step closer to him. “I’m not very good on trust myself, but you can trust her, Charles. She won’t let you down.”
“How can I not if you vouch for her? Because there’s no one I trust more than you.” He cradled her cheeks in his hands and kissed her forehead. “You’ve done everything anyone could ever hope to do, Kendra.” He looked down into her eyes and said gently, “Now, let me go, my friend.”
“Of course, I will. But I’ll be in touch and there’s email-”
“No, I won’t answer. When the project’s over and safe, I’ll call you, and we’ll meet for a drink to celebrate. Until then, I don’t exist for you. Do you understand?”
She understood, but she could still feel her eyes sting with tears. “Now who is protecting whom?”
“That’s what friends do. In life, it’s always a trade-off.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “And don’t try to interrogate Jessie or Lynch.” He chuckled. “Of course you will. But they’ll be sworn to silence on penalty of not being invited to our party when my prison gates are thrown wide.” He released her and started up the steps. He looked over his shoulder and smiled. “And you’d better have something interesting to tell me that will be worth my catching up on. It’s going to be a boring couple of years for me.”
He disappeared into the plane.
She drew a deep, shaky breath and stood there looking after him.
“Get going,” Lynch said roughly. “Get the hell out of here, Kendra. And call your mother on the way home as I told you to do.”
She turned to face him. His expression was stone hard. Angry. He looked angry. “I’ll remember.” She tried to pull herself together. “I know this is going to be a massive inconvenience for you, and I don’t blame you for being upset.”
“You’re right, it’s going to be a major pain in the ass, and it will last longer than I care to think about.”
“If there’s any way I can share the load, you only have to tell me. After all, it’s my responsibility.”
“Not any longer. You heard him, you’re out of it.” He added through set teeth, “I certainly heard the bastard. How could anyone possibly follow a parting speech like that? He went straight to option ten.”
She frowned. “Option ten?”
“Never mind. You would have had to be here.”
“I am here. And I don’t know what you’re talking about. All I know is that I’m being closed out. The least you could do is tell me where you’re taking him.”
He shook his head. “No way. I’ll let you know when I get those incubators to him. That’s as far as I’ll go.” He was standing on the steps, his legs slightly parted, and his blue eyes glittering recklessly. “You want me to fix this? Consider it fixed. But it’s my way, Kendra. I’m having enough interference.”
“I’m not going to argue with you. I know how much I owe you for this.”
“Yes, you do.” He took a step closer and kissed her. Hard. Hot. Searing. He lifted his head and pushed her away. “And there’s one thing I’m going to collect on right now.”
She couldn’t breathe. Her body felt as if it was on fire. She could feel her pulse leaping in the hollow of her throat. “What?”
“You’re going to make me a promise.”
She instinctively tensed. “I am?”
“You’re damn right you are.”
“What am I supposed to promise?”
He whirled to go up the steps. “When you start handing out all those heart-wrenching good-byes to all and sundry, I’m going to be on the list.” He looked back over his shoulder, his eyes blazing, and his expression hard and stormy. “No, I’m going to be first on the list. Understand?”
Her mouth fell open in surprise. “I understand.”
“I want to hear it.”
“I promise. First on the list.”
“Good. More later.”
The door slammed shut behind him.
She stood there, watching dazedly as the plane began to taxi down the runway. Nothing had turned out exactly as she had intended. Somewhere along the way, she had lost control.