Page 83 of High-Priority Asset

She nodded. “Three thumb drives, as well. I took them all and used the degausser. They’re in my purse.”

“You’re amazing.”

“I feel like a wreck. Like I want to cry and sleep and rage and hold you all at the same time.”

“Oh, honey.”

“Not that I should complain. You’re the one who’s been beaten to a pulp.” He had a split lip, and bruises on his face that would turn purple by tomorrow.

“I don’t look that bad. Just a little banged up. They didn’t break anything.”

How could he take this in stride? He was the amazing one.

“We’re almost there,” he said, referring to the rendezvous point with the other two marshals. “Draper will take you to the hotel and get you settled. Relax in a bath, order some food, maybe take a nap while I go to the office.”

“We’re not going to be in a safe house?”

“Technically, you’re not in witness protection and I have to get off the grid since I used my real name. The steps they’re taking to keep us safe are a little unorthodox.”

“How long will you be?”

“It might take a few hours to finalize our exit plan.”

“What about McQueen? Brenda? I have to see her.”

“Call the day care and give permission for a US marshal to pick up McQueen. As for Brenda, it’s too dangerous for you now to go back to LA to see her. Your uncle, I mean dad, is going to know you helped me. He’ll expect you to be there.”

Isabel wrapped her arms around herself and shuddered at the thought of Emilio’s consequences. A part of her was glad that his auction was going to be a disaster with him surrounded by a bunch of disappointed criminals. But she’d assumed she’d get to hug her best friend again and say goodbye. Not just disappear without a word.

They pulled up alongside a sedan.

Will and Allison got out, and Dutch lowered the window.

Allison passed Dutch his service weapon. “Don’t leave us in suspense.”

Isabel handed her the drives, the tape and degausser.

“Good job, you two.” Allison glanced at Dutch. “The other thing?” she asked, cryptically.

He shook his head.

Allison muttered a string of profanity and lowered her head. “Vargas might not be able to sell the hard drive, but I bet he pored over every bit of information on the marshals in our office. We’re going to need protection for our families.”

Will nodded. “I’ll square it away.”

“Isabel had help from someone inside. Do you have any idea who the undercover FBI agent is?” Dutch asked.

“The FBI keeps their identities close hold,” Will said. “All we know is his code name. Teflon.”

Max is FBI? He’d moved up fast in the ranks. Emilio and Rodrigo trusted him implicitly.

“Sir, would you mind taking Isabel to the hotel,” Dutch asked, “while Allison and I finish the rest? And it might be good if you stayed with her until I get back. No guards followed us here, but I’d feel better if she had protection while I’m gone.”

“No problem,” Will said. “We appreciate what you’ve done for the US Marshals Service, Ms. Vargas.”

“What’s it going to be?” Allison asked. “Double the work hashing out separate plans for each of you? Or will you two lay low for a while together?”

Isabel looked at Dutch, without a doubt in her heart, and said, “Together.”