Innocent as Sin

59

Phoenix

Sunday

Rand McCree looked at his watch-six minutes to go-then shifted his focus from the front entrance to the windows of Kayla’s office.

The blinds were mostly drawn.

Is it a signal?

The habit of a woman working alone?

Are the blinds on a sun/temperature sensor?

Watching the window, he walked to the far end of the business block that held the bank headquarters. Nothing changed. Nothing showed. No shadows moved in the small openings between the blinds.

And the lights were still on.

“Spool up, beautiful,” he muttered. “We’re on a short clock.”

Five minutes to sign in and get to her desk was generous. She’d said transferring the money would take no more than a few keystrokes.

So where the hell is she?

He paced back to the car, then glared at the window again. Nothing new.

Except the back of his neck felt like fire ants were crawling there. He hadn’t been this jumpy since Camgeria.

Rand jerked his phone off its belt clip and dialed.

“Faroe.”

“We’re at the bank,” Rand said. “I couldn’t get past the lobby guard. Kayla’s upstairs. She has five more minutes, but she should have been back by now.”

“Bad feeling?”

“Real bad. I need some men to cover the exits, in case someone tries to sneak in. Or out.”

“I’ll see who’s loose.”

“I’ll try to slide past the guard, but Kayla says they’re off-duty Phoenix PD.”

“Good luck.”

“I’ll need it,” Rand said. “At least I might find out if there’s anybody else in the building. Call and let me know how many bodies you’re sending.”

“Bodies. Sounds grim.”

“Manpower, how’s that?”

“Personpower. Grace would like that better.”

“She Who Must Be Obeyed.”

Faroe laughed. “Get used to it. You’re next.”

The fire ants crawling on Rand’s neck disagreed. He cut the connection and headed for the lobby door.

Four minutes left.