Twin Peril Read Online Free PDF Page B

had jobs, careers to get back to.
    A wave of hopelessness washed over her. For a fleeting moment, she surprised herself and considered trying to pray. Except she didn’t know how and didn’t really think God would listen to someone like her even if she did.
    She was better off relying only on herself—the way she’d always done.
    * * *
    Jonah examined his incision as well as he could in the mirror above the sink in the bathroom. It looked worse than he’d anticipated. He applied some antibacterial ointment before slapping a new gauze dressing over the area where he’d popped two stitches. At least the wound had stopped bleeding. He was glad Alyssa had forced him to bring first-aid supplies, although she’d no doubt be upset that he’d opened the wound. Belatedly remembering his antibiotics, he popped one, hoping the pills would be strong enough to ward off infection.
    For a moment he stared grimly at his reflection in the mirror. What he really needed to do was call his boss and ask for someone else to watch over Mallory. Not only was he still recuperating from his stab wound and subsequent surgery, he also was too close to making the same mistake he had in the past—letting his emotions get in the way of his job.
    He couldn’t cross the line and begin caring about Mallory. He never should have accepted her help in finding evidence against Caruso. She wasn’t a cop. What he needed to do was to convince his boss to put her up in some sort of safe house. A place where able-bodied cops could watch over her instead of a wounded warrior like him.
    As he dressed, his cell phone rang. He picked up his phone to see who’d called.
    He was expecting his boss, but it was Gage. Knowing Mallory would be thrilled to hear from her sister, he crossed over to gently tap on the door between their rooms. “Mallory? It’s Gage. Do you want to talk?”
    “Yes!” She eagerly took the phone. “Alyssa?” Her face lit up with joy, and he turned away to give her some privacy. “What happened?”
    Jonah knew Alyssa would fill Mallory in on everything, in much greater detail than he had. He went back into his room and waited. When she was done, he’d call his boss.
    Mallory didn’t return for a good fifteen minutes, but when she handed him the phone, she was smiling. “Alyssa’s fine. She told me everything and then offered to blow off her surgery to come up here. I convinced her to stay put and take care of herself. Thankfully, for the first time ever, Gage agreed with me.”
    “I’m glad.” He took the phone and punched in his boss’s number.
    “Who are you calling?” she asked.
    “My boss. Lieutenant Michael Finley.”
    Her jaw dropped open in shock. “Your boss? I thought you said Alyssa sent you. I didn’t realize you were reporting everything to your boss.” She’d trusted Jonah with her life and didn’t appreciate how he’d held back important information.
    “I’m keeping Finley updated. He knows the plan is to find the top guy involved in Jefferson’s money-
laundering scheme. Jefferson used way too much cash, and we were also able to trace his funds for the condo project to a Swiss bank account. I need to let Finley know we suspect Caruso.”
    The expression on her face indicated she wasn’t happy with that news. “I thought you said there was a warrant out for my arrest.”
    “There is, but I think I can convince Finley you’re being framed for Wasserman’s murder. And I think he’ll agree to put you up in a safe house.”
    “A safe house?” She glared at him with dismay. “Why would I want to do that? I’d rather stay with you.”
    He hardened his heart against the hurt reflected in her eyes. But he refused to let his emotions sway his decision. Putting Mallory in a safe house was the right thing to do. “Because you need to be safe, no matter what.”
    “Oh, yeah?” Her blue eyes narrowed with suspicion. “And what about you?”
    He looked away. “Once I know you’re safe, I plan to head