Power Switch (Power Play #3) - Kennedy L. Mitchell Page 0,75
cab.
Randi takes a deep breath and leans back against the headrest, slowly letting the breath out through pursed lips. Her fingers tighten around mine.
“I'm fucked.”
Well, that's one way to stop my heart.
By the time we get back at One Observatory Circle, unload, and have her safe inside, my rage is just below erupting. Randi heads upstairs for a quick shower and to get caught up on emails, leaving T, Sam, and me standing speechless in the foyer.
“It goes against everything I believe in to just give this up when I’m so close to taking that fucker down,” Sam seethes. Stretching, he laces his fingers behind his head. “Plus, I don't like her doing this on her own.”
“She won't be,” I snap. Closing my eyes, I massage the bridge of my nose while taking three deep breaths. “But for her safety and Taeler's, we need you to step back. Give off the impression that you're dropping the case. We'll… we'll figure out how to get the information without Birmingham or Whit knowing.” I shoot a quick look at Tank.
Sam also looks at Tank, then me. “What am I missing?”
“She has some friends,” Tank admits reluctantly. “Friends who can help us get the information and who won't leak the fact that we're still looking into his illegal dealings.”
“Then why didn't she go to these ‘friends’ in the first place?” Sam's eyes narrow. Smart man. He knows something’s up.
“She mentioned it before to you. It’s not the most legal of avenues and might not hold up in court.” I sigh. Fuck, I'm tired. My focus goes to the stairs, following the path Randi took minutes ago. “But it might be enough for that not to matter.”
“Of course it’ll matter,” Sam counters. “If we take the evidence to the House, it has to—”
“What if we don't?” I muse. Thoughts swirl, pieces fitting into place. “What if we gather enough to intimidate him?”
Sam's brows rise up his forehead.
Fuck, I have to give it to the guy. At least he's not like the rest of the men in this town, all Botoxed out. “He told Randi it's too late to go back, that things are set in motion. What if it's worse than what we're thinking? We already know he's pulling several Middle East countries into this as a front to what he's causing. Maybe that's what he was referencing, or maybe it’s worse.”
Sam nods absentmindedly as he focuses on the floor, his fingers swiping across the dark stubble on his chin. “It would have to be completely heinous for him to step down without a true impeachment.”
“Knowing that fucker and Whit, I'm sure it is.”
“We already have proof he put a hit on Randi,” Tank adds.
“This way we don't have to worry about getting enough votes in the House and Senate for the impeachment,” Sam says, seeming lost in his own thoughts.
“Exactly. It could be the only way to make it work.”
“What about Whit, then?” Tank asks. “He made it sound like he's still hurting her somehow, and I'm willing to bet it has something to do with those headaches she's been getting since the initial poisoning.”
“Agreed,” I say, beginning to pace the small area. My fingers tremble with excess energy.
“If what she shared on the way here is exactly as it happened, it sounds like Birmingham wasn't the one who plotted the initial poisoning anyway.” We all stand in silence until Sam speaks up again. “And if all this works out, she’ll move up to the president role, which means she'll have an even bigger target on her back. Are you two prepared for that when you can’t even figure out how he's hurting her now?”
I take a menacing step toward the fucker, but Tank's arm lashes out, smacking across my heaving chest.
“Yes, she'll be safe. And we'll figure out how he's still poisoning her.” He shoots a concerned look at me.
“I'm doing this for her,” Sam says, looking straight into my eyes. I bristle at the challenge behind the stare. “I'll back off the case—for now. But don't expect me to stay away, not when she's in danger because of what I've dragged her into. If you need anything from the DOJ office, just let me know.” With that, he nods to Tank and turns to the front door.
Only once the door is shut behind him and it's just me and Tank do I let the worry and fear for Randi sink in.
“What are we going to do?” I ask, pacing the small