Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 136425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 682(@200wpm)___ 546(@250wpm)___ 455(@300wpm)
“Your father moved into arms dealing, and we think we know why,” Parker explained.
He could guess. “He got my mother involved. He had no talent. Everything he had he owed to what she could do, and then he inevitably screwed things up. From what I understand my mother got involved in some underground groups, specifically ones rooted in environmental activism.”
“Yes, that’s where I found her,” Lucy acknowledged. “Though you should know she’s kept quiet. I believe she was forced to build those first bombs. Or maybe she made them for her groups. Some of the groups she’s involved in blow shit up to stop deforestation. Your mom’s bombs are easy to use and targeted. She could have kept any loss of life down to a minimum. Actually, now that I think about it, the way the bombs are designed would also have protected the land around the blast.”
Kala had a look of grudging respect on her face. “That makes sense. So Ray gets out of prison and needs some cash and can’t get it himself. He goes looking for his ex because she’s always been his meal ticket. When he does find her, she’s building bombs for activist groups, and he sees a new way to make her pay.”
Zach groaned as the truth hit him. “My father was the one who introduced her to The Jester.”
Devi gasped. “Isn’t that the arms dealer person Tristan pretended to be after you murdered him and let Tris think he did it? That was sweet of you, by the way. Tris needed a major ego boost.”
Not the way he would describe it. “I did it so he wouldn’t know I had figured out my mom worked for The Jester. I didn’t realize my dad was likely the one who introduced them. We can’t know she was forced. From what my aunt says my father had power over her.”
“That might have been true when she was a young woman, but I assure you she’s afraid of him today,” Lucy explained.
“You’ve talked directly to her?” Parker asked.
That would be news to Zach.
“Not yet, but I have an asset on the inside of one of her groups who has.” Lucy sat back, watching the Canadians.
“And we’re going to trust this asset?” Kala challenged.
“Yes, we do,” Henry replied. “The asset is above reproach.”
He expected Kala to argue. Instead, she took a second and then nodded. “All right, we’ll work from a place of trust with Bishop’s asset.”
Devi slid her chair closer and leaned over, whispering in his ear. “It’s Henry’s wife, so you can trust what he’s saying. At least that’s the only person I can think of who Kala wouldn’t vet herself.”
It was good to have his own interpreter, but Parker was watching them, and he didn’t want to give away that Devi knew more than she should. So he turned slightly and kissed her like that was what she planned on doing all along.
She stiffened slightly and then his adorable brat got into it.
“Guys, come on,” TJ said.
Devi sat back with a grin. “Sorry.”
“So you’ve made up with him for lying to you?” Parker asked.
Devi shrugged. “He’s good in bed.”
Well, if he wanted a deeply romantic woman, perhaps he shouldn’t have fallen in love with Erin Taggart’s daughter. “The question now is where do we go from here? Obviously, I’ve fucked up Bishop’s operation.”
“Yes, you have, and along with it years of undercover work,” Lucy said with no small amount of bitterness. “If I’m lucky I can go home and play deputy and catch speeders.”
“I could only be so lucky,” Henry said under his breath.
“Well, at least we know someone is going to be happy. My mother doesn’t particularly like my job.” Lucy sighed as though resigned. And then perked up. “Although maybe I can work with Coop again. I’ve spent all my time with patchouli granolas. I miss wayward pilots who make bad decisions after too much tequila. You remember that night in Cancun? I love it when terrorists go to luxury resorts.”
All eyes were on Kala again. Well, the ones who knew she was Kala.
Cooper sighed and gave Lucy a halfhearted smile and patted her hand. “Yep, fun times.”
“Well, I’ve got more fun times ahead because Disrupt might want me dead, but I’m meeting Shannon Reed tomorrow night in Liverpool,” Lucy announced. “She wants me to bring her son.”
So that’s what she’d been doing all day. “We’re going to Liverpool then.”
He hoped she had a big enough place because he was almost certain they would have more guests.
Chapter Thirteen
Devi followed Zach into the beautiful townhouse in the heart of Liverpool. It was late at night by the time they’d packed up and taken care of the animals and arranged for someone else to come to the farm. The Canadians had left earlier, wanting to split up the group so they weren’t as memorable.