Страница 27 из 58
“I do.”
Lizzie closed the door and turned to face Con. “First of all, why in God’s name are you armed? And second, do you think your amazing contacts can help me find my sister?”
CHAPTER TWELVE
FOR ALL THE money this guy must have to be able to buy the medallion, Gerard Dix’s winter home in St. Richard’s Island wasn’t that nice. The McMansion couldn’t go for more than two or three mil, and the furnishings were right out of the pages of Southern Living. Nothing like what Fly
“Well done, Fly
Fly
“Oh, excuse me. Since you have the same name, I assumed you’re his son.”
Fucking liar. Everyone in this world knew Fly
“No worries, son. I’m no friend of the man’s. He’s never wanted to play by our rules.”
Those would be the rules of commercial underground. “So true,” Fly
Gerry chuckled. “Isn’t that the truth? I hate to say it, but he’s a bit of an egotist.”
“Ya think?” Fly
“He’s achieved that,” Gerry said with a note of admiration. “I admit, now that I know he’s not your real father, you seem like less of a…”
“What? A traitor? A thief? A person willing to backstab the man who married his mother?”
“No, no, it’s just that-”
“That what?” His voice got edgy, as it always did when his stepfather’s name was mentioned. “That Judd Paxton’s blood son wouldn’t screw him in the back?”
Gerry inched back, assessing Fly
Fuck you, Gerry. It was your money. Fly
“Coulda fooled me. Judd Paxton is a very wealthy man.”
“He’s in it for the glory. Notice his name on the museum doors? The grants to universities? The mile-high mountain of press coverage? That’s what gets my old man off.”
“Your old stepman.”
Fly
“I’m always interested,” Gerry said, standing up. “Just give me a call.”
Fly
Then he smashed the heel of his hand on the steering wheel so hard it sent pain up his arm. Stealing from his stepfather wasn’t enough. His full-scale piracy only created pity and support for the great and powerful Judd Paxton. And frankly, being an irritant to the man just didn’t give Fly
Judd Paxton had to suffer for being an egotistical prick. For fucking Fly
Fly
No, it had to be something bigger. Something more shocking. Something that would expose the dive and leave a permanent stain on the name Paxton.
Judd wanted headlines? That’s what he’d get.
An ankle holster? Lizzie watched dumbfounded as Con stashed the gun into a leather contraption around his ankle. “You want to explain that to me?”
“I’m armed because it’s stupid not to be when carrying around an artifact that I have no doubt people would kill for,” he said, straightening his jeans. “And to answer your other question, yes, I can get confirmation whether or not your sister was on a plane to Lisbon. If she’s registered in a hotel there, I can probably get a phone number for you, too.”
She wanted to jump all over the first explanation, but the urge to throw her arms around him for the rest of it was stronger. She quelled both reactions, watching him warily as she deposited Bria
“I told you, I have-”
“Co
He gave her a slight smile. “That’s not what you want to know, Lizzie.”
“It’s exactly what I want to know.”
“No.” He pulled out one of the dining-room chairs and offered it to her. “What you want to know is what I’m doing on this dive, and why I’m helping you.”
She stayed standing, until he put a strong hand on her shoulder and guided her into the chair, as if whatever he was going to tell her would make her lose her balance. Her heart did just that, so she took the seat, while he pulled out the other and sat knee-to-knee.
For a long moment, he didn’t speak. He finally said, “There is a reason that I carry a gun and a satellite phone, why I’m willing to help you take and hide treasures from the boat, and why, with a single phone call, I can find out the names of a resident in a development or a list of passengers on a plane.”
He waited a beat, while her brain whirred over possibilities.
“It’s the same reason,” he continued, “that I came after you in the lab when I thought you were stealing, and was able to have a motorcycle waiting when we arrived, and can pick up my phone and find out who lives in the house where Fly
“Oh my God.” She put her hand to her mouth as realization and understanding dawned. “You’re an undercover agent for the government.”
He said nothing, just looked her right in the eyes and didn’t react. Of course he wouldn’t. He wasn’t allowed to confirm or deny.
That’s why he was armed and… dangerous.
He worked for the government, probably investigating Paxton’s whole operation to stop the siphoning of treasure that was supposed to generate millions in taxes and co-profits for the state.
A thrill exploded in her heart.
“FBI?” she asked.
He shook his head.
“State government? Art crimes? Tax evasion? Police? What is it?”