Page 106 of Twist of Fate

That answer eliminated one possibility. No one had slipped the assignment into Hale’s operation without his knowledge. Hale had knowingly sent the drive to a buyer, remained in contact with that buyer, and intended to complete the sale. Whether he understood exactly what he was selling remained unanswered.

“After two compromised locations, I’m surprised they’re still willing to proceed.”

“The buyer wants what you’re carrying.”

“And the warehouse was their choice?”

A brief pause followed.

“I passed along the location I was given,” Hale said.

Luke let the answer sit rather than pressing hard enough to make Hale retreat. “Then I’ll need to know what happened before I walk into another location.”

“This isn’t a conversation we’re having over the phone.”

“Then where are we having it?”

“My office. Come directly to me. I need the package, and I need someone I can trust while I determine who is working against me.”

The word trust almost drew a laugh from Luke. He kept his voice level.

“The warehouse location came from the buyer,” Luke said. “Are they also the ones working against you?”

“They deny involvement in either attack.”

“And you believe them?”

“I believe they still want the package.”

Not an answer. Hale was willing to continue the sale without knowing whether the buyer had attacked his courier—or he knew more than he intended to reveal.

“What should I expect when I arrive?”

“You’ll receive the full explanation then.”

Hale was finished answering questions. Luke recognized the finality in his tone because he had obeyed it for years.

He had also trusted the man giving the orders.

That part was over.

“I’ll have Patrick arrange transportation,” Hale continued. “Get back here as quickly as you can.”

“I’ll arrange my own.”

“That wasn’t a request.”

The last time Luke had followed Hale’s arrangements, he’d walked into a warehouse trap. He wasn’t surrendering control of his route too. “After the warehouse, it’s a condition.”

“You’re becoming difficult.”

“Being difficult has kept me alive.”

Hale released a controlled breath. “Fine. Make your own arrangements, but come straight to my office. No deviations. Be here by eleven.”

Luke looked toward Connal.

“And Luke?”