Deadly Alliance by Kathleen Rowland Page B

scowled.
    She gnawed the inside of her cheek, chose her words. “A couple of them ran out of the Harp with white bundles of fabric.” She glanced up at his face, intending to thank him for being here, but his dusky blue eyes made her breath catch.
    With a shimmer of alarm in his eyes, he furrowed his brow. “Lobby surveillance cameras caught them in robes.” The sheer maleness of him arrested her thoughts. “You were chased?” His interest in her well being rolled through her.
    She nodded. “Two guys chased me down the parking structure.”
    He angled his head. “Tell me what you saw.”
    “Them, a light-blue SUV, a rifle out the window, and a sword wrapped in white cloth.”
    “They’ll hunt you down.” His face registered deep concern.
    Her purse was missing, and her heart sank over her drab, mousy persona and now, she lacked food and money. “I probably shouldn’t go home tonight.” She went for the backseat handle of the cruiser.
    Finn put his hand over hers, but didn’t pull the door open. “I’m buying you a ticket out.”
    “To where?” Her hormones chose this moment to go nuts.
    “Dublin County.”
    “In Ireland?” She’d love to go with him. He’d said a ticket, not two.
    “Malahide Village, very secluded,” he said. “Is your passport up to date?”
    “Yes, but—
    —but nothing.” When she turned her hand around and held his, Finn pulled her tight against him. You’ll like the Biscayne Lodge Bed and Breakfast. No one will track you there.”
    “Finn,” she said. “I want to know what happens here.” Her head swam from the warmth of his body. Dizziness had nothing to do with her scary predicament, did it? “Please drop me at the office.”
    “If you think of anything else, tell McGill.” He spoke with a tremor as though emotion touched him.
    “Sure.”
    “I’ll pick you up for dinner. You’re staying the night with me.” His insistent tone sent her senses spinning.
    She considered his invitation. “It makes everything more complicated.”
    “I know you’re at Smithson for the bookkeeping job.” He stepped even closer.
    “Yes, but I feel something. A spark. I think you feel it, too. I’d like more.”
    “More?” His voice was low in a good way and brought heat flooding to her face. He moved his hand up her arm.
    “I’d be happy to sign an office-affair contract.” Awkwardly, she cleared her throat.
    He snickered. “Sure, I’ll add an addendum. Should I have it notarized?”
    “I thought of something else.”
    “Yeah?” He dropped his arm and stepped back.
    “By staying with you, I’m putting you at risk.” Guilt plagued her. It always did. “You fought and won at Burlie’s. Don’t die because of me.”
    “I’m the one to take this on.” Deliberately, he took back her hand. His hold tightened. “Like you said, it’s complicated.”
     

Chapter Five
     
    “Sorry, Donahue. Can’t let you sit in.” Sheriff Byron McGill, always on the right side of the law, had FBI Agent Gary Guhleman waiting in the conference room at the Twin Peaks Police Station. Regulations stated the sheriff and the FBI agent meet in private.
    “I understand. Deal with the current crisis.” His financial woes weren’t top priority. He forced a smile and clenched his fists.
    “Don’t leave. You’re next.” McGill slapped him on the back. “A Los Angeles detective is getting back to me. He’s a bank fraud specialist, perfect for your case.”
    “Sounds good.” Finn watched him slip away, leaving the door ajar. He appreciated his intentional gesture, but dug his nails into his palms. In the adjacent room they were discussing what Finn already knew. Takbir, the fundraising arm of the Islamic terror group, ran into problems when smuggling oil. Finn angled his ear to the conversation in the next room.
    “Takbir,” McGill said. “Their involvement makes this international.”
    “You think I’m sleepwalking?” Guhleman chuckled. “I phoned my guy at the