“We’ll be back in touch soon.” Detective Stewart looked directly at Izzy. “Don’t plan to leave town without letting us know, okay?”

Before she could answer, Piper spoke again.

“We’ll cooperate, but it’s just because we want this investigation put to bed.” Piper grabbed Izzy’s arm and led her out of the room.

Izzy could only hope that she hadn’t just made things a lot worse for herself.

Since Layla didn’t have great options, she’d decided going to the safe house that Frank had set up was the best she and Hunter could do while they waited to see if Scarlett could come up with something outside the system.

They’d gotten there late the night before—almost morning. The first twelve hours had been uneventful.

Frank had directed her to go radio silent with everyone—the DEA included—and she figured that might be the best course. They’d dumped their phones, and a CIA runner had delivered new phones without even seeing them.

She could tell by the tone of Frank’s voice, however, that he was beginning to be on edge. She didn’t think he really believed she was working with Al-Nidal. The fact that he’d been so helpful since she called him made her think that she was persuading him back to her side.

Hunter was working on his laptop, still intent on the DEA case for Mason. After Keith Hammond’s death, they’d run into a lot of dead ends. Cass had pretty much been ruled out, given the theft, but there was still a big question mark over Zane’s head, though she didn’t think there should be.

When she heard a light knock on the door, Layla jumped up from the couch. Hunter lifted his hand to tell her to be quiet. He then pulled out his side arm, and she grabbed her gun from the coffee table beside her. No one should be at the safe house. Frank had notified her about the phone delivery earlier, and she hadn’t heard from him since.

Layla and Hunter both moved slowly to the door, weapons drawn. Her pulse thumped loudly as she prayed this wasn’t another attack.

She had almost reached the door when she heard a voice.

“Layla, are you in there?”

She knew immediately who was outside. Hunter stopped her from moving any closer, but she was no longer afraid.

“Yes, I’m here.” She looked through the peephole and saw Nick on the other side. She opened the door, and he walked in.

“Are you all right?” Nick asked.

“Yes. What’re you doing here? I thought this location was completely locked down.” Or at least that was what Frank had promised.

Nick didn’t answer, instead turning his attention to Hunter. “And you are?”

“Hunter McCoy.” Hunter stood tall but didn’t offer his hand to Nick.