“Go ahead,” he wheedled. “Fifteen minutes and you can go get a good night’s sleep.”
She could refuse. She could explain. But both options would lead to complications and explanations, and she was too tired to become involved in either. She certainly didn’t want Lassiter made aware of that strange moment she’d experienced. He already knew too much about that melding that she considered belonged only to her. Just do what Cambry wanted and get it over with. Her hand tightened on the bag and she moved toward Lassiter’s door. “Fifteen minutes. Good night, Cambry.”
“Thank you, Margaret.” He turned toward his room. “We must sit down and have a chat soon. I’m sure it would prove interesting.” He looked over his shoulder as he unlocked his door. “I didn’t tell you how glad I am that you’re going to help Lassiter. No, not really glad. I’m worried about you. But Lassiter will keep you safe. You’re much better off working with him than fighting him.”
“I don’t know if I am or not. But it was my choice.”
“He told me.” He added gravely, “I want you to know that I’ll do everything I can to help you.”
He meant it. She found herself smiling. “As long as it doesn’t get in the way of your keeping Lassiter well and happy.” She knocked on Lassiter’s door. “I warn you this is only going to work once with me, Cambry.”
“That’s what I thought.” He was laughing as he went into his own room and closed the door.
And Lassiter wasn’t answering her knock.
She knocked harder. “Open the door, Lassiter. I want to get to bed.”
He opened the door. He was dressed in dark jeans and a navy blue T-shirt, which made his green eyes look blue. “That’s not something you want to shout outside a door at a motel.” He smiled. “It could be misconstrued or regarded as an invitation.”
There was something different about him, something there hadn’t been a few hours ago when they had checked into the motel. His eyes were glittering and vibrantly alive. The muscles of his body seemed more lithe and exuded explosive energy. She couldn’t stop looking at him.
So different …
Then what he had said hit home. “I didn’t shout.” She thrust the bag at him and walked past him into the room. “Here’s your food. And if you’d answered the door, I wouldn’t have had to pound on it.”
“Sorry, I was busy.”
He didn’t look sorry. He looked … exhilarated.
She glanced at the computer on the table across the room. “You broke through the firewall?”
“About fifteen minutes ago.”
Relief rushed through her. “What about finding the password?”
“Not yet. That may be harder.” His smile lit his face. “Or maybe not. I’ll run a brute-force attack and maybe I’ll get lucky.”
“What on earth is a brute-force attack?”
“It’s when I gather everything I know about Nicos down to the last detail and let the computer run probable suggestions for passwords. It could work. I’m feeling like everything’s going my way tonight.”
She could tell that from his entire demeanor. That glowing triumph, the sheer aliveness that he was casting out was contagious. She wanted to reach out and touch him, bask in it.
She stepped back instead. “Then I know you want to get back to work on it.” She sat down on the edge of the bed. “Go ahead and eat that sandwich and I’ll get out of here.”
His brows rose. “You said you wanted to get to bed. I didn’t think you’d waste any time after you dropped off the food.” His eyes were suddenly twinkling with mischief. “But I’ll be glad to supply the bed, although I don’t guarantee you’d get much rest.”
Tingling heat.
Don’t let him see the disturbance.
“I’m perched on the corner of it right now. That’s all I need. I promised Cambry that I’d see that you had something to eat. He appears to believe that you’ll fade away if he doesn’t make sure that you ingest a sufficient amount of proteins.” She added wryly, “Though that sandwich has more grease and bun than meat. It doesn’t taste bad if you don’t mind the jalape?os.”
“I like hot.” He took out the sandwich and unwrapped it. “When I was in India with the CIA, I became used to dishes that would clear anyone’s sinuses for a solid week.” He dropped down on the one chair in the room. “But I’m surprised you were so obliging to Cambry. What did he do to convince you?”
She didn’t answer directly. “He can be persuasive.”
“I know. But you were still irritated at me when I saw you last.” He corrected himself immediately, “No, outraged. Irritated is almost as weak as miffed.”
“That’s not funny.”
“I know.” He took a swallow of coffee. “But nothing seems that bad to me right now.” He took a bite of his sandwich before he said, “Though I realize that I should kneel at your feet and beg forgiveness.”
“You’re joking again.”
“Heaven forbid.” He met her gaze over the rim of his coffee mug. “I can’t help it. I know that you have a right to be angry. I’m truly sorry I felt I had to do that. But I’m so damn happy that everything has a chance of working out.”
She could see that happiness shining out of him. Since the moment she had met him, he had been closed in, not permitting her to see more than a shadow of his character. On the surface she had seen only grimness or mockery mixed occasionally with curiosity and charisma. All very fascinating but worn like a mask to hide what was beneath. She felt warmed, drawn to this John Lassiter. “Needless to say, I’m pretty happy myself.” She smiled. “And the outrage may fade in time to a miff if you come up with the password.”
“I’ll do it.” He drank another sip of coffee. “I just have to isolate the things that are the most important to Nicos.” His smile was suddenly gone. “You might help me with that,” he said quietly. “You told me that you knew him well. I’ve been running background checks on him from the time I realized he was going to be a nightmare, but you may know … details.”
Details. She felt as if she’d been struck in the stomach. From relief and happiness back to Nicos. “I suppose I do…” she said shakily. “Though I’ve been trying to forget them for the last three years.”
“It might help.” His gaze was raking her face. “Hell, you’re scared to death. Forget it. I don’t need you. I’ll work it out for myself.”
“No, give me a few minutes.” She moistened her lips. “I’m a little upset at the moment. I thought generalizations would do, but details are—”
Blood.
Black-and-white tiles.
Rosa begging on her knees.
“I’ll work it out for myself,” he repeated.