When He's Bad (Walker Security Adrian’s Trilogy #2) - Lisa Renee Jones Page 0,52

know what I mean?”

“I know.” I squeeze her arm and send her on her way, and since she’s not part of this case, that means back to her office. Which brings me back to Josh. Grace isn’t a part of this case and yet he used her to embed himself in the middle of everything. It could be about earning a paying contract, I know. But I’m back to yet something else that just doesn’t feel right.

I head into the conference room and our entire team of twelve is assembled. The relief at my presence is palpable as Lucifer and I each claim open seats at the table, across from one another. Cindy, who is next to Lucifer at the table, introduces him and Lucifer explains his role. The moment he wraps up, Cindy asks, “What about Agent Pitt? Josh said he’s missing.”

Josh said, I think. Where did Josh get his information? The Feds? Waters? Who?

“That’s true,” Lucifer confirms, surprising me with his directness on the topic. “Former Federal Agent Adrian Mack, also known as Adrian Ramos, resurfaced and is willing to testify. There was a threat on his life and Pitt intervened. Mack is in hiding. Pitt is missing, but also severely injured.”

“Wait,” Cindy says, staring at me as the team murmurs wildly. “Adrian Mack surfaced?”

“He did,” I confirm. “And he’s a hell of a witness. He wants immunity and I’m waiting on that paperwork from Ed. The problem is that Chicago issued a warrant for his arrest for the murder of his brother.”

The room erupts again and I hold up a hand. “We believe Waters is behind it. Mack was never in Chicago. His brother was undercover with the Devils as well and yes, he’s dead.”

“Walker is working on a federal immunity agreement for Mack,” Lucifer adds, and then changes the subject, his gaze scanning the room. “What else did Josh tell you?” he asks, drawing Cindy’s attention to him.

“Not much,” she says. “He stressed the urgency to find him. That’s what he’s had our team working on this afternoon.”

I sit up straighter. “Josh has been directing our team? On what authority?”

She blinks at me. “He said Ed’s. I thought you knew.”

Lucifer looks at me and then around the room, before he says, “Show me everything Josh accessed while ‘helping’ our team.”

Cindy eyes me and mouths, “What’s going on?”

My phone buzzes and I reach for it in my pocket, to find Ed calling. “I need to take this in private.” I stand and grab my briefcase and purse and exit the conference room.

“What’s the word?” I answer.

“Apparently you’re sleeping with the witness, and I didn’t know.”

“Old news,” I say. “The judge approved me remaining on the case.”

“And if I don’t?”

“We both know you need me. I’m standing out front taking bullets first.” I change the subject. “What’s the word on Chicago, Ed?”

Luckily, he moves on with me. “I can’t get anyone to call me back,” he grumbles irritably.

“Really, Ed?” I ask incredulously. “No one will call you back?”

“Pri, I know you don’t trust me and frankly, I don’t trust anyone either. Except for Walker,” he surprises me and adds, “I’ve been with them for hours. Luke Walker specifically. Apparently, it’s him, Royce, and Blake that run the operation.”

“And what did Luke tell you?” I ask, entering my office, shutting my door, and rounding my desk.

“He shared Mack’s history, including their profile before hiring him, as well as what he’s done for them since joining Walker.”

“And?” I ask, shoving my purse, which means my gun, in my drawer and setting my briefcase on the floor.

“I’ll grant Mack the immunity agreement, but I think he needs the federal agreement Walker is working on. And even then, Waters could have legal teams stir up fake charges left and right until he gets arrested and ends up dead. If we can prove this case without him, he should walk away. And we should let him.”

Unease rips through me. We should let him go. He should walk away. How convenient that is for Waters.

“I’ll have the signed agreement scanned to your email in the next hour or two,” he adds, and his phone beeps. “I need to take this.”

“Wait, Ed. What agreement did you come to with Josh?”

“Josh? No agreement. I’m not paying him and Walker. Gotta run.” He disconnects, and I’m suddenly extremely worried about Grace. And Adrian, because Ed is right. Waters will just keep coming at him.

My cellphone rings again and this time it’s Adrian. I answer with,