Ladyfish by Andrea Bramhall Page B

and broody type.”
    “I find that hard to believe. You never seem to shut up around me.”
    “Maybe it’s just you. Have you thought of that?”
    “Yes, I have actually.”
    “And?”
    “It is definitely you rambling, not me.”
    “Ha ha, very funny. Let’s go shopping before I change my mind.”
    Oz ushered Finn back to the car and wondered just how much her life was going to change with someone like Finn being a part of it.

Chapter Eleven
     
    John Pritchard smoothed his shirt over his stomach and waited. He watched the small monitor as Bates led the Arabic man into the small cell-like interview room, two other officers flanking him. He was tall, well built, and confident. Even in this situation, he looked calm, cool, controlled. Pritchard only hoped that it boded well for them all.
    He took a final sip of his tea before walking to the interview room.
    “Mr. Qadri, I’m John Pritchard.” He dropped a file onto the table between them and sat down. “Mr. Bates tells me that you have some information that may be of interest to us.”
    “I want protection for my family.” He slid a scrap of paper onto the table. “When I know they are safe, I will tell you everything I know about Balor.”
    “I can’t possibly take your family into protective custody without knowing what you have to offer.”
    Qadri stood. “Then we are done, Mr. Pritchard.” He took two steps toward the door.
    “Wait. Tell me what it’s regarding and I’ll see what I can do.”
    “I am not here to play games, Mr. Pritchard. By speaking to you, I know that I am signing my own death warrant. I have no problem with that. The reason I am doing this is to make sure that my family is safe. Not just now, but in the future.”
    “Mr. Qadri, I need specifics.”
    “And I will give them to you. When my family is in your custody.”
    “What is your connection with Mehalik?”
    “I am his personal bodyguard.”
    Pritchard picked up the scrap of paper, looked at it, and handed it to Bates. “If I do this, I’ll want you to wear a wire.”
    Qadri shrugged. “Like I said, my death is already assured. I do not care. This madness must be stopped.”
    “Bates, get Mr. Qadri’s family to one of our safe houses.”
    Qadri sat back down, and his shoulders sagged as the tension left him. “Thank you.”
    “Don’t thank me yet, Mr. Qadri. I have a lot of conditions that go along with this.”
    “I would expect nothing else, Mr. Pritchard.”
    “Now tell me what you know.”
    “Masood is planning a war. A war unlike any other. He is buying a weapon from William Sterling that will destroy us all.”
    “You mentioned Balor. What is it?”
    “Balor is a biological weapon that Sterling has had created. But I will not say anything more until I speak to my family in your safe house.”
    “Qadri, you have to tell us now.”
    He folded his arms across his chest and stared at Pritchard. “Not until I know my family is safe.”

Chapter Twelve
     
    “And where have you been? I was starting to think you’d run off and joined the circus or something.” Pete clambered to his feet as Finn opened the door.
    “I’ve been shopping.”
    Pete looked her up and down, spun her around, and shook his head. “I’m not buying. You have no bags with you, and I know you only go shopping when I drag you.”
    “I went shopping with Oz. I needed to organize some new furniture for the house I’m moving into next week.”
    “Next week! Wow. If I didn’t know you better I’d think you wanted to get rid of me. Why did you go shopping with Oz? I would have gone with you.” His mouth formed a perfect pout as he folded his arms over his chest and plopped onto her bed.
    “I know, but she knows all the shops in the area, and she took me to see the house. It just made sense to go with her tonight. That way the furniture will be delivered later this week and ready so I can move in. It’s only a few doors down from where she lives. So I guess we’re going to be