Warrior's Second Chance. Nancy Gideon

of approval.”

      They both were silent for a moment, sharing their unspoken opinion of the various agencies that had employed Allen. And McGee.

      “Where is he now?”

      “Not as far away as I’d hoped he’d be. You know Chet. You know how he thinks, how he reacts.”

      She glanced at him and then away, the gesture furtive, compelling. Needy. Expectant. His instincts quivered on alert. His tone grew as thin and deadly as a trip wire.

      “And you want me to do what, exactly? Catch him? Kill him? I don’t do that kind of thing anymore.”

      “It’s not about what I want. It’s Chet. It’s the game he’s playing.” She looked back at Tag then, her stare direct and intense. “How did he get you here?”

      Tag squirmed inwardly but kept his reply curt and concise. “He sent this clipping, and he said you needed me.”

      That was all. Barbara needed him. And it would have brought him back from hell without the necessity of explanation.

      “So,” he continued, “here I am. What do you need me to do?”

      For all the turmoil and terror within her heart and mind, Barbara’s answer was amazingly calm.

      “Chet Allen has threatened my daughter and her child unless I do exactly as he tells me. A sort of demented Simon Says. I want you to help me keep them alive. That’s my agenda. I don’t know what Chet has planned. All I know is I’m willing to play along if it means keeping them safe.”

      She paused, then added the twist Chet had provided for his amusement.

      “And he wants you to play the game with me.”