“Why not?”
“She was arrested in the last twenty-four hours, and she’s in jail now, charged with some serious crimes.”
“What was she arrested for exactly?” asked Buckley.
“I choose not to tell you.”
On a sign from Buckley, Spector struck Pine another blow, this time via a spin kick to the side of her head. Perhaps fortunately for her, this time the blow knocked Pine unconscious.
Buckley looked at her lying there on the floor and then turned to one of his men.
“Find out about the woman who was arrested. I doubt it will be under the name Desiree Atkins. Do it now.”
The man hustled up the stairs, while Spector bent down to check on Pine. She felt for a pulse and was relieved it was strong. She brushed the hair out of Pine’s face and saw the large bruise forming on the side of her face.
She glanced over at Buckley.
“I didn’t mean to hit her that hard.”
“It doesn’t matter,” said Buckley absently.
“Peter, she’s an FBI agent. Do you know how serious this is?”
“I look at it as an opportunity.”
Spector straightened. “What does that mean? What opportunity?”
“You know of my personal history?”
“Some, yes.”
“My father was destroyed by the federal government. They even managed to make my mother betray him.”
“Peter, I understand that—”
Buckley barked, “This is my chance to make it right, Britt. This may be my only chance. And I’m going to take it.” He looked at the fallen Pine. “There lies the shining symbol of the federal government in all its inept and disgusting glory.” He looked at Spector. “Two birds with one stone, Britt. A lifetime of injustice rectified in one act.”
As Spector stared over at the man, she tensed. His expression, his entire demeanor, had changed drastically. It was as though he were another person entirely.
“Where is all this coming from, Peter? I thought we were just after Eloise Cain. I didn’t sign on to wage some symbolic war against the federal government because of what it did to your family.”
He pointed his finger at her. “You signed on to do what I tell you to do. If you can’t do that, you are of no use to me.”
“I thought you said you were going to reach a peaceful resolution on this with regard to Agent Pine.”
“I lied. Now, are you with me, or not?
Spector glanced at the fallen Pine. “I’m with you, of course.”
“Thank you. Now, I have a phone call to make.”
He went to a corner and punched in a number while Spector bent over Pine and tried to revive her.
The call was answered five seconds later by a distinguished, baritone male voice.
“Mr. Buckley? Is something wrong?”
“I need you to come to Asheville, North Carolina. I’ll send the jet.”
“And what’s in Asheville?”
“I have someone I want you to represent in a matter of great importance to me.”
CHAPTER
46
TWO HOURS OUTSIDE OF ASHEVILLE, Cain pulled off the road, cut the engine, and just sat there. She rubbed her face and then rubbed it again. She felt dirty despite her shower after working out; she felt sick despite not being ill. She had come here to tear down her nemesis once and for all, only to find that her nemesis was sitting in jail.