Too Far Gone Read Online Free PDF Page A

could be in trouble. Either way, Lauren needed to find her.
    “My job is to protect you, Miss Woods.” He relaxed in the chair, but those striking midnight-blue eyes scrutinized her with an intensity that defied his nonchalant posture. “Life isn’t like the movies or a soap opera. You’ve managed to evade a killer for a few hours, but the police are now searching for you, too. Those thugs who shot your boyfriend—”
    “Agent,” she reminded, growing annoyed at his attitude.
    “Whatever,” he grumbled, “can sit back and let the police do the legwork. The bad guys can take you out once you’re in custody. During a transfer or even when you’re behind bars. Either way is easier than you know.”
    His warning sent a tremor skittering down her spine even as his arrogance irritated her, but she couldn’t argue with the facts. Her mind raced, searching for a feasible argument or a plan.
    “The police will sift through everything in Trinity’s office,” he went on. “When they find the records, your alternate ID becomes a neon sign. Unless you have cash tucked away somewhere or a friend with a private island, you won’t last a week outside a safe house.”
    “I’ll find a way.” She couldn’t go into hiding. However badly Desmond had treated her and ignored her career, he had helped her as well. She would not turn her back without at least trying to help find his killer and to clear her name. Lauren had some cash on her. “I’m not an idiot, Mr. Stone. I have resources and I’ll come up with a plan, with or without your help.”
    “You have resources that won’t turn on you?” He stood up and stepped toward her. “Resources that can circumvent the police from railroading you into a murder charge?” Another step disappeared between them. “Resources willing to take an accessory rap if they’re caught aiding your escape when your status goes from person of interest to suspect?”
    She struggled to breathe around the hard lump in her throat. There were people in her life she trusted, but if any of them got hurt or jailed because of her... “That’s enough.” She held up a hand. She
would
find a way.
    He halted his advance but he was already in her personal space, his gaze unyielding. “You’re willing to take the chance your resources could be killed for helping you?”
    No
. “Stop.” She barely resisted the urge to cover her ears. She wouldn’t forgive herself if she involved a friend who got hurt because of her.
    “The way I see it, you’re well and truly caught between killers and cops. You can’t afford to ignore my advice.”
    The worst part of this, she realized, was that he was right. The worry in his eyes gave her a moment’s pause. He was a stranger. Why would he care if she lived or died? Ah, the reputation of his agency, of course. “I can’t just hide either. I have to find the one person who can back up my story and help me bring a killer to justice.”
    “Why?”
    She glared at him. “Why what?”
    “You just told me he wasn’t your boyfriend.” Stone folded his arms across his broad chest. “Yet, you’re willing to risk your life to bring his killer to justice.”
    Now who was playing games? “Why not? I’m a person of interest. I need proof of my story so the police don’t try railroading me, like you said.”
    “The burden of proof is on them, Miss Woods. All you really need to do is stay alive until they figure it out. Making sure you stay safe is my job.”
    “And what if the police don’t find the killers? Am I supposed to stay hidden for the rest of my life?” Hiding was unacceptable. She needed to find the truth and make sure those two men went to jail.
    Stone tilted his head toward the television. “If the witness is the woman you saw last night, then my guess is the bad guys have decided to frame you. They don’t need it to hold up in court, they only need it to bring you into the open.”
    “You didn’t answer my question. I have a career. I