Page 43 of Yankee in the Wind

“Good.” He picked up Deja’s gun and riffled through her pockets. He found what he was looking for: a cell phone, keys and a wallet with an ID. He stuffed the latter two items into his jacket, then took Deja’s right thumb and pressed it on the cell phone until it unlocked. Quickly, he changed the PIN, so he could unlock it again at a later time. He pocketed it and rose. “Let’s go.”

They sped away from the scene moments later. Jack’s clothes were full of Deja’s blood. He dialed Ace’s number and put it on speaker.

Despite the time, Ace picked up instantly. “Yes?”

“We ran into some trouble. We had to leave a dead body in Delta Labs’ parking lot.”

“Are you and Lilly okay?”

“Yes.”

“Did you clean up?”

“Got the shell casings, bullets, the assailant’s gun and her keys and ID.”

“Her?”

“Yep. Tell you about it later. We’ve got her blood on us. Do you have a—”

“There’s a room in the back of the garage. It has a high-powered shower. Take everything off and shower. I’ll leave towels and fresh clothes in the closet there for both of you. Toss your clothes in the bucket next to the closet. I’ll incinerate them later.”

“And the guns?”

“There are plastic containers in the closet. Put them in there and bring them in the house. We’ll clean them later.”

“Alright.”

“I’ll see you when you get here.” Ace disconnected the call.

Jack cast a quick glance at Lilly. She sat there, completely rigid. She turned her face to him. “She betrayed him.”

Jack nodded. And he now understood the meaning of Will Reed’s words when he’d visited him at the assisted living facility.

They’re here in my house… I should have known… I told him not to come. She lied to me. It was her. The government sent her.

Will Reed had realized—too late—that Deja Lashae had been a plant by Thomas’s enemies.

20

It was six o’clock in the morning when Lilly entered the guestroom that Phoebe had prepared for them. She and Jack had showered and changed in the room behind the garage, but the shower had been rather cold and the pressure too strong for her liking. She had understood the necessity of it and accepted it. However, the shower had made her feel like she was on a caffeine high when she knew she needed to relax and sleep.

Jack was still downstairs, filling Ace in on what the lab tests had revealed and what had transpired with Deja Lashae when they’d left the lab. Lilly shuddered when she recollected the sight of Deja bleeding out before her eyes. She’d seen dead bodies before—every medical student had—and she’d seen people die before, but not in such a violent way. And she hoped she’d never have to see anything like it again.

Lilly pulled the curtains shut, and undressed. Phoebe had been tremendously generous by providing several sets of clothes, and even left a bathrobe draped over the bed for her. The bathroom had everything Lilly could wish for: various soaps and shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, and lotions. Fresh toothbrushes and toothpaste lay on the vanity together with shaving gel and razors. Phoebe had thought of everything.

Lilly had never felt so welcome in a stranger’s house before. Tears suddenly shot to her eyes. The second attempt on her life had shown her that there was no way she could ever go back home. She was reliant on strangers for her wellbeing now. Though not all were strangers. Jack wasn’t. He’d risked so much for her. His own life even. Yet, he demanded nothing in return.

Lilly turned on the water and stepped into the large shower. The warm water pearled off her skin like morning dew. Her heartrate lowered, and her breath calmed. She closed her eyes and started to relax.

The door hinges creaked, and Lilly looked over her shoulder. Jack stood there, his chest bare, but still wearing the pants Ace had left for him.

“Another shower?” he asked with a smile, while his gaze swept over her body.

“This one’s more relaxing.” She turned her body toward him, aware that his eyes were drinking her in. Her heart started beating faster again, but this time it wasn’t as a result of stress. “Do you want to join me?”

His hands moved to the top button of his khakis. “You bet.”

She watched him rid himself of his pants. When he pulled his boxer briefs down, his cock jutted out, hard and heavy, its bulbous tip pointing skyward. He opened the glass shower door and stepped inside, then pulled her to him.