considering his inquiry.
“You used me,” she finally said.
A fresh burst of wind and rain pounded the house.
Which startled her.
He used the moment to slam his fist into her face.
CASSIOPEIA LISTENED AS DAVIS INFORMED PAULINE DANIELS what Shirley Kaiser had done.
“I can’t believe she went there,” the First Lady said.
They’d retreated into the dining room to make the call, clearing the house of agents.
“She feels horrible about this,” the First Lady said. “She was so angry at being used. Still, she should have never gone there.”
But there was something even more serious to consider. The shooting that had just happened would make the local news. Once Hale learned of the fate of his two men he would know Kaiser had been compromised. Which meant she just became a problem.
“Pauline,” Davis said. “Call her. Now. See if she answers.”
“Hold on.”
“There’s no way to keep what happened here quiet,” Cassiopeia whispered to Davis.
“I know. The clock’s ticking for Shirley Kaiser.”
“Edwin,” Pauline said through the speaker. “No answer. It went to her voice mail. I didn’t think you’d want me to leave a message.”
“We have to go,” Davis said to the phone.
Cassiopeia caught the frustration in his voice.
“Edwin, I didn’t-”
Davis ended the call.
“That was rude,” she said.
“She wouldn’t have liked what I would have said next. At some point everyone is going to have stop making stupid mistakes.” He paused. “Myself included.”
“That woman’s life is in jeopardy,” she said. “Get me down there fast.”
And he didn’t argue.