Expired Getaway (Last Chance County #7) - Lisa Phillips Page 0,82
other was busy, his nose in a tablet—a guy Aiden hadn’t met yet.
Nicholson stared her down. “Whether you like it or not, you’re in the middle of this. That means, as of now, you’re my new best friend. Or you’re my pet project and I stop at nothing to pin charges on you. No doubt it won’t be hard to find something. Collusion. Attempted murder. Terrorism. You pick.”
The amusement Bridget had been fronting dissipated. “So it’s like that.”
Nicholson shrugged like she didn’t care either way. “Cooperation means you do something for me, so I respond in kind. Either you’re helpful so I can be helpful to you, or you’re a criminal with something to hide. In which case, that’s exactly how I plan to treat you.”
“Wow.” Bridget rolled her eyes. “All so you can get Capeira in cuffs. Never mind that there’s more to taking down his operation than just one guy. I should know.”
Aiden figured she did. After all, she’d been forced to kill one in order to defend herself. Now the brother was after her, along with the men at his disposal.
The agents said nothing.
“Which means—” Bridget eyed them. “—you have to be seriously desperate and in need of new evidence. Can’t find him yourselves. No one’s talking, right? You’re stuck and you’re going to try and coerce me into giving you something fresh because I’m supposed to be…what? Scared of you?”
“I could arrest you right now. Obstruction of justice.”
Aiden didn’t figure Bridget would simply allow them to detain her. She seemed like a woman who’d slip out from under their grasp. And why was that? She’d done nothing wrong, and she could stand on that.
She was right. Nicholson was fishing and willing to turn up the heat to get Bridget to tell them what they wanted to know.
“The judge will grant me access to your phone and your whole life. I’ll have everything I need.” The agent straightened. Even with her back to him, Aiden could just imagine the stubborn look she had on her face. Probably even lifted her chin. Given their previous conversation, he could picture it well enough just from her tone.
“So that’s what you want.”
Aiden leaned against the doorjamb and watched Bridget figure it out the same time he did.
“My phone.”
Nicholson waved it off, but the line of her shoulders displayed the tiniest amount of tension she couldn’t hide. “I’m sure there’s absolutely nothing on there that could incriminate you in illegal activity, right?”
“Guess you’ll never know, since you aren’t getting it. And even if you did—by the way—it’s set up to erase everything if someone other than me attempts to gain access.”
“A court order will force you to cooperate. Or compel the phone company to get us in.”
Bridget grinned. “I might have believed you, but now you just sound desperate. You clearly know nothing about me or the company I work for.”
“International…what? Couriers?”
“Something like that.”
“You killed Benito Capeira. That’s why his brother tried to kidnap you.” Nicholson leaned closer to Bridget. “If you want to stay alive, you’ll need our help.”
“I have help.” Bridget motioned to the door, where Aiden stood.
When she met his gaze, he gave her a small smile. “How’s your head?”
Bridget gingerly touched the edge of the bandage. “Not as bad as the headache standing in front of me.”
Nicholson stared down Aiden. The other agent stood.
He shifted so the doorway stood open. “This conversation is over. Bridget will let you know later what she decides to do.”
“The clock is ticking.” Nicholson strode out.
Her colleague followed.
“Well, that was enlightening.”
Aiden moved around the bed and settled in the chair on the far side. “How is your head really?”
“It hurts. A lot.”
He chuckled, then pressed a hand against his breastbone. “Ouch.”
“Quite the pair, aren’t we?”
He smiled. “She wanted your phone.”
Bridget nodded. “I nearly didn’t catch it, but I’m glad I did. They might want Capeira, but they really think they’re going to get into everything the accountant’s office is privy to? All our clients. Everywhere I’ve been.” She shook her head.
“I’d have thought Eric could just ask Millie for that.”
“She would never give it to him.”
“So, is Eric trying to get it through other means,” Aiden said, “or was Nicholson working independently without Eric’s knowledge?”
“I guess we should find out.” She shifted, and he saw her wince. “Or stay out of it.”
Aiden studied her. The pale tone of her skin, and the dark circles around her eyes. She looked like someone who needed support.