26. Charlotte
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Charlotte
River walked toward the garage, nodding at Brynn as he passed. She watched him go without a word. Then strode over to me.
“Really, Charlotte?”
I groaned. “Can you forget you just saw that?”
“Nice try. We need to have a friendly chat.”
“Yet your tone is far more judgmental than friendly.”
Brynn rolled her tongue around her mouth. Choosing her words carefully, I expected. “Your parents have an archery range here somewhere, don’t they? I remember you telling me about it.”
“Nice subject change.”
“Can you show it to me? And on the way, we can talk.”
“Conveniently away from River? He’s not eavesdropping. Unlike some people. He’s busy with something else.”
“Doing what?”
“Never mind.” I nodded my head toward the archery range. “Let’s go check out the range.”
“Uh huh. So, whatever he’s doing, you’re not supposed to tell me.” She huffed a laugh, though she didn’t sound amused. “You and River seem to have bonded quite a bit over the last three days.”
I let that comment pass unanswered. For now.
We made it to the archery range. Sometime in the past decade, my father had built a wooden sun shelter here to keep it nice and shady on sunny days. Like today. To buy time, because I wasn’t eager for this conversation, I went to the insulated supply cabinet. Dad kept the equipment out here in the summer for easy access.
“You want to shoot?” I asked Brynn.
“You know I do. I would never pass that up. Your parents have a sweet range here.”
“This is where I learned.”
Though my most vivid memories of this place were of River and me. I was protective of those memories. Protective of him .
Brynn looked over my shoulder into my dad’s collection of bows and arrows. “So your dad hunts with these?” She pointed at the various broadheads, the wickedly sharp metal tips that could cut through flesh.
“Yep. I’ve gone with him.”
“Not planning to use those on me, are you?” she joked. “Didn’t think you were that mad.”
I frowned at her over my shoulder. “That depends. Where’s my cat? You didn’t leave Cleo alone, did you?”
“What kind of person do you think I am? She’s staying with Agent Torres.”
“I was meaning to ask about him and Rainey.”
I strung my recurve bow. Brynn selected a compound, which was already strung. While we set up, Brynn told me how her co-agents were doing. Agent Rainey had been the one to retrieve the car when we realized Brynn had been drugged. Agent Torres had helped River and me get away when Stillwater’s henchmen had attacked. Both of them had risked their lives to help me.
Brynn told me that both agents had been injured. Rainey had made it to the car, but someone had rammed into him, disabling his vehicle and breaking his arm in two places. So he’d been out for the count. Agent Torres had been shot in the side, but it had been through and through.
“They’re doing fine,” Brynn assured me. “Whining about being bored with desk duty. Injured agents are the worst.”
We faced the targets and took a few practice shots.
“I haven’t had a chance to thank you again for your help that night,” I said. “It was awful. We were all lucky to make it out alive. Stillwater could’ve done worse than giving you an upset stomach.”
Brynn smiled ruefully. “That was definitely not pretty. I hated that I wasn’t there when the bullets started flying. Thank God River was. I have my issues with him, but he was there.”
“He’s come through for me. Over and over again.” I lined up another shot at the target.
“But Charlotte, I’ve got to be honest. When he showed up in Denver, you wanted nothing to do with him. You barely trusted him. You also made it clear that he’d hurt you in the past. So you have to see why I’m concerned when I see you kissing the man like he’s the love of your life.”
I sputtered, my arrow going wide. “Hardly. It was a quick kiss.”
“Not from where I was standing. The two of you kissed like lovers. I admit my romantic track record isn’t stellar, but I know what that looks like.”
“So we’re having a fling. In a way, it was a long time coming. Just something we’re working out of our systems. Stress relief.”
But as I said those words, they felt hollow. River had told me he loved me. And what I felt for him… It was growing so fast, it scared me.
“Not sure I buy that,” Brynn said. “The way the man looks at you? Protects you like he would lay down his life, no, make that kill if anyone comes near you? I get it. It’s sexy to have that kind of male attention directed at you. I’ve got a weakness for that kind of guy too. But such a turnaround, after three days of isolation with the man? Do you see what I’m getting at?”
“I don’t have Stockholm Syndrome! Give me a break. River didn’t kidnap me, and besides that, I never had any real reason to doubt him.”
“I didn’t say Stockholm Syndrome. But now that you mention it. The man was CIA. He’s a master manipulator and a hacker who considers little things like laws beneath him.”
“And he saved my life. He’s protected me at great cost to himself. He’s also explained a lot of things that happened in the past, and I understand him. I’ve known him for well over two decades, since we were children. I know the kind of man he is.”
Brynn set her bow on a table and made me set down mine. Held me by the shoulders so she had my full attention. “Honey, River has his own agenda where Stillwater is concerned. That much is clear. Do you think we failed to run background on his friends in Hartley, like Trace Novo? The FBI has a file on them. River’s buddies keep popping up whenever shit is going down.”
I blanched, but did my best to hide my reaction. “So what?”
“So, they sound a lot like vigilantes. If River’s got your loyalty, you’ll be more compliant, more willing to go along with whatever he says. And you were engaged to his brother, so maybe that’s muddied the waters in your mind. Confused things, and?— ”
I pulled away from her. I struggled to keep my temper. But it wasn’t easy. “Remember who you’re talking to. I’m the lieutenant governor, not some starry-eyed, lovesick kid.”
“Hold on a minute. Lovesick ? We’re talking about love ?”
“It’s a turn of phrase.” Of course I wasn’t suddenly in love with River.
Even though he was an incredible man who happened to love me . I only thought about that every two minutes or so.
“You and I have been close for a while now, and I adore you. But this time, I need you to back the hell off . I know what I’m doing. River is…” I chewed my lip, tasting the metallic tang of blood. “He’s someone who means a great deal to me.”
She held up her hands. “My apologies.”
I went and picked up my bow. Didn’t speak another word until I’d emptied my quiver into the target. Brynn did the same, though she moved with less agitation. Far more grace.
Then I exhaled.
We both walked over to our targets to fetch our arrows. Brynn pulled the first one and looked down at the tip. “You know, I seem to remember you telling me just a few days ago that you were taking a break from men. It wasn’t a very long break.”
“I said what I said. I’m not going to repeat it.”
She laughed. “I’m not trying to give you a hard time. Your message was received, and I accept that my initial concerns were off base. I’m just thinking to myself. For Charlotte McKinley to change her tune about a guy so quickly, he must be something else in the bedroom.”
I tried to keep a dignified, straight face. But it wasn’t possible. I cracked a smile, and we both started giggling.
“You’re not wrong.”
“Get it, girl.” She put up her hand for a high five, and I slapped it. “If you find any more like him, feel free to send them my way. ”
We laughed together as we collected our arrows. After we’d put everything away, we headed back toward the garage. I assumed River would be finished with Jud soon. We couldn’t stick around here much longer.
“You mentioned you have Jud’s confession on video,” Brynn said.
“River recorded it while Jud was telling us all about how he took bribes in exchange for voting the way Stillwater wanted. Doing them favors. Pretty disgusting stuff.”
“No kidding. But it’s exactly the info we need. I’d like to get that to my superiors as soon as possible.”
“How are you going to explain where you got it? I’m in the video.”
“Leave that to me. I could say you left the video here at your parents’ place, and that I just missed you. But it’ll be a whole lot easier if you and River come in with me.” Brynn held up her hands. “Hear me out, okay? Yes, they’ll probably place River under arrest.”
I stopped and stared at her incredulously. “This is your argument to win me over?”
“It’ll only be temporary. My boss is Special Agent in Charge Michael Stanford. You’ve met him. He’s trustworthy. We’ll get this all sorted out, the manhunt for River will be over, and we can start focusing on the real bad guys.”
“But we don’t know exactly who else in the government is working for Stillwater. It could be someone inside the FBI.” I couldn’t tell her about the list. I’d given my word to River. But even without that knowledge, Brynn had to realize how much danger River could be in while stuck in a prison cell.
“Then you could come without him,” she said. “I’ll guarantee your safety. Even your overprotective boyfriend will have to see this is the most reasonable solution. More than you continuing to be on the run.”
A couple of days ago, I’d made a similar argument. I’d told River we should split up, and that I could trust Brynn to protect me. But River and I had come too far. Not just in terms of distance or learning the truth behind this whole mess, but in our closeness. What we felt for one another.
I couldn’t let him go. Not yet.
“Thank you for the offer. But River and I stay together. I’m safer with him than anywhere else in the world. We’ll come in when the FBI and police aren’t considering him a suspect.”
She sighed and nodded. “I figured that’s what your response would be. But I had to try.”
When we got to the garage, River was waiting outside. “Charlie, Jud insists on speaking to you.”
“Did you get what you needed from him?” I asked.
“Partly. He claims he’s willing. But he swears he’ll only tell the rest to you.”
He glanced at Brynn. I shook my head slightly, letting him know I hadn’t told her about the list.
I didn’t want to talk to Jud again. But if Jud refused to give up the list’s location to River, it sounded like I had no choice. We had to get this finished. “I’ll go.”
Brynn crossed her arms. “Can I tag along? I’d love to hear what Mr. Hale has to say.”
“Sorry, B,” I said. “I’ll tell you what I can later on, but this has to remain compartmentalized for now.”
River angled his head toward her. “Jud knows an FBI agent is here. I think that’s why he decided to be stubborn again. He doesn’t know whether to be relieved the Feds have arrived, or terrified. But no offense, Agent Somerton, we’re not ready to turn him over just yet. ”
“But you will turn him over? Not bury him out in the woods?”
River chuckled. “Funny, that’s exactly what I threatened to do. Made him think I was so crazed with jealousy that I’d kill him rather than turn him in.” He slung an arm around me, nuzzling into my neck. “I mean, I am a little crazed with jealousy, but I can rein it in.”
Brynn gave me a look, like she was saying, Really? This guy?
“I will explain everything when I can,” I promised again. “But in the meantime, there’s something you could do for us, Brynn. Take Jud with you when we’re done with him.”
There was a chance Jud would tell Brynn and the FBI about the list. But I planned to offer him a deal so he’d hold that info back. With luck, River and I would get our hands on the list before Jud spilled his secret. And once we had it in our possession, that list would become our bargaining chip.
Brynn smoothed a strand of dark hair from her forehead. “I’m happy to help however I can. If I can’t bring you back with me, at least I can arrest that piece of shit so he can start facing some consequences.”
River and I went into the garage, while Brynn said she’d keep an eye on the road. Jud was still tied up, but River had moved him to the ground so he could sit upright against one leg of the work table. Jud brightened when he saw me.
He looked wrung out. Sweaty and exhausted. But I took no pleasure in it. Maybe I wasn’t cut out for vengeance after all. I just wanted this to be over.
“You had something to say to me?” I asked.
“An apology.” Jud’s eyes darted over to River. Part hatred, part fear. “You were right. I didn’t tell you everything.”
“River already shared that much. You have a list of the officials working for Stillwater. We want to know where it is. That’s what I want, not some half-assed apology. ”
Jud licked his dry lips. “I’m willing to bargain. With you , the lieutenant governor.”
I stood in front of him and straightened my back, looking down my nose. “Here’s what I can offer. You give us the location of the list. Then, we’ll turn you over to the FBI. And you’ll testify against Stillwater.”
Jud shook his head. “No way. Stillwater would get to me. They’d slit my throat within a day of me being in police custody. If Stillwater knew I was here right now, I’d already be dead.”
“Hmm. A tempting thought. All we have to do is leave you tied up and spread the word that you’re here. Or you can take what I’m offering.”
“You’re offering me nothing!”
“You’re not in the best position to negotiate.” I nodded at River, who took out his phone and hit play on the video of Jud from earlier. “We’ve got your confession recorded already.”
Jud muttered a curse. He tugged on his restraints in frustration.
“Agent Somerton is outside,” I said. “She’ll take you into custody, and you’ll repeat everything that’s on the video. But you won’t tell the FBI about the list. Not yet. You keep that to yourself for now.”
Jud tilted his head. “And in exchange?”
“After you’re in custody, Agent Somerton will take personal responsibility for your safety. I will do what I can to make sure you’re shown leniency.”
“I want full protective custody. No visitors or cellmates, monitoring 24-7. Plus privileges. TV and internet access.”
“Done.” The word left a bad taste in my mouth, but I had to give him something. “I can’t force the FBI to listen to me, but I will do everything in my power. I’ll make sure the governor does as well. He can’t pardon federal crimes. But he can pardon state ones.”
Once River and I had made that list public, it wouldn’t matter that we’d agreed with Jud to hold the info back. The FBI and every other part of the government would have enough of a firestorm on their hands. But I would make sure that Jud served time in prison. Maybe in greater comfort than he deserved, but there was no way I’d allow him to get off scot free. He would find that out. Eventually.
I could be deceptive and manipulative too. For the right reasons.
Jud looked down at his bound hands. “The list is on a hard drive in a safe deposit box in Silver Ridge.” Another town in Hart County, less than an hour away from Hartley. “The key is with my things in the art studio.”
“Thank you.” I turned to go.
“Charlotte, wait. I’m sorry for what happened. And I’m sorry for losing you.”
“You never really had me.”
Twenty minutes later, we had packed up and were ready to go. I had thrown together Jud’s belongings in the studio, taking only what was essential. I’d found the safe deposit key exactly where Jud had said it would be.
River had gassed up the ATV using my dad’s supplies and moved it next to the studio. That was where I found him when I stepped outside, hefting Jud’s pack. River was checking over his weapons. Something he seemed to do a lot, especially when we were about to be on the move.
“Brynn is putting her own cuffs on Jud and reading him his rights,” I said .
River examined the magazine of his rifle, then snapped it back into place. “What are the chances Jud will tell her about the list first thing?” he asked. “It’ll be hard for him to resist trying to negotiate a better deal. He’ll be turning on the charm.”
“She’s an attractive woman, so I have no doubt of that. But do you think that will work with her?” I laughed. River did too. “Jud loves himself most, and his secrets second,” I said. “He’ll hold on to whatever he’s got with the hopes of using it to his own benefit later. But there’s something else I haven’t told you. The FBI suspects you and your friends of being vigilantes. That’s what Brynn said.”
River didn’t look all that surprised. “Jud said something similar about Stillwater. They’re onto us too. Not sure which concerns me more, the FBI’s attention or Stillwater’s. Did Brynn mention Last Refuge?”
“No, but how long until the Feds figure it out? About the Protectors, your mission. The things you’ve already done.” Very illegal things.
River pulled me in for a quick kiss to my forehead. “I’ll let the guys know when I’m back in Hartley. I already uploaded the video of Jud’s confession to our server using my satellite connection. Trace and the others know to be careful. We’ve always been aware it could be difficult to keep our work secret in the long run. But that’ll have to be a problem for another day.”
“Seems like we’re pushing off a lot of problems until later. I don’t like that feeling.”
“But aren’t you used to it by now as a politician?” He tucked my hair behind my ear. Smiled at me fondly. “Let’s get through today, Charlie-baby. Then we can start dealing with what’s next for us.”
That was a loaded statement. How much of an us would there be once this was over ?
“We’d better go,” I said. “Brynn will be waiting for us.” She and Jud would be on their way, and then River and I would lock up my parents’ place and head out ourselves. The trip back to the 4Runner would go much quicker on the ATV.
When we got to the garage, Brynn was leading Jud outside. His wrists were cuffed, but his ankles were free. He blinked at the sunlight, squinting. The man said nothing, glancing away from us.
I held out the bag with Jud’s belongings to her. She slung it over her shoulder and leaned in to give me a hug. “Stay safe,” she said. “I’ll see you soon.”
I nodded. Brynn turned to River, and they shook hands.
“No hard feelings?” he asked.
“For which part?”
He shrugged. “Eh, I find it best not to remember all the things I do to piss my friends off. We’re friends, right?”
She snorted and shook her head. “Forgiveness is a good policy between friends. Let’s try to stay that way.”
The four of us went around to the front of the house, where Brynn’s car was waiting on the driveway. Brynn walked Jud toward the vehicle. She opened the door to the backseat.
I noticed a faint buzzing sound overhead. River looked up at the same moment.
I squinted. There was a small, dark blob hovering far above us in the air.
“ Fuck . That’s a surveillance drone.” River grabbed me, starting to push me toward the house. “We’ve been spotted!” he shouted. “Get out of sight! Get down!”
Before Brynn could react, a gunshot cracked the air like a whip. It had come from the forest. Blood sprayed, and Jud collapsed sideways against the car.
No .
Brynn shoved away from him, drawing her weapon and firing at the woods as she ran back toward the house. Her lips moved before her scream reached my ears.
“ Fall back! ”