Page 82 of His Wall

"I don’t hide."

"I do not care what kind of man you are. I care that you are a breathing one."

He looked at me for a long second.

He sat back down on the edge of the bed.

I went to the couch. I called Harlow. I asked her for a secure line. She called back with a number I could pass to him. I went into the bedroom. I held the safehouse landline out to him.

He took it.

I left him with it. I closed the door, sat on the couch with my laptop open, and did not read a single line on the screen.

He came out having spoken to his best friend, but couldn't say much. He sat down on the couch beside me. He did not say anything.

I did not either.

I called Harlow again. She picked up on the second ring.

"Calder."

"Status."

"The Bureau opened a formal investigation into Conrad's network. We've got the judge under parallel review — quietly, through the OIG, until we have enough to move publicly. The forensic team recovered the bullet from the garage. Professional caliber, unmarked, untraceable so far. We're running the trace on the unknown number that texted Cross's phone but the burner is dark."

"Good."

"Calder."

"Yeah."

"We're sending field backup to the safehouse."

"I don't need field backup. I have it covered."

"You have a principal in residence and a confirmed shooter in the wind. You need a second body. Someone experienced. Someone who knows financial crimes and knows how you work. I'm sending you Torres."

I went very still.

"No."

"Calder — "

"Send anyone else."

"He's the best available. Eight years in financial, two with you. He knows your operational style. He knows the case file."

"Send anyone else, Harlow."

"Is there something I need to know, Calder?"

I sat with the phone against my cheek.

Julian was at the kitchen counter with the bad coffee and his back to me, pretending he was not listening.

"Just send someone else."

"Assignment is already filed. Torres will be there tomorrow morning."