“Stay out of this, Dutch,” she snapped, more harshly than she’d intended, but this was her mission, hers to finish in the way she believed best. As crucial as the information she needed from Ghafor was, she couldn’t risk him refusing to give it to her. That had happened so many times before, she’d lost count.
Doc stared her down, but Malin refused to give in.
“I’m willing to listen to what you have in mind,” he said, surprising her.
“Somewhere out in the vineyard where it’s wide open. He’ll know you’re there, but not close enough to eavesdrop.”
“And if he tries—”
Malin turned her head and looked into Dutch’s eyes, silently imploring him to stay out of it.
Dutch stood and walked over to the window. “I don’t like it,” she heard him mumble.
“It isn’t your call, Dutch,” Doc responded.
“I know that.”
Malin could read the tension in Dutch’s shoulders. The fact that he didn’t say anything more told her that he’d respect her wishes. At least, Malin hoped that’s what it meant.
“He won’t be armed, and he’s requested that you not be either.”
Dutch spun around, but Malin shook her head.
“We’ll have her covered,” said Doc.
Dutch shook his head, but when his eyes met Malin’s, she knew he was acquiescing to her wishes, and she couldn’t have appreciated it more.
“Thank you,” she mouthed.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll give you time to prepare.” Doc stood and walked out, leaving her and Dutch alone.
“Mind if we take a walk?” he asked.
“I’d like that.”
He took her hand and led her out near the vineyard.
“Thank you,” she said again. “I know it’s hard for you.”
“You have no idea,” he said, bringing her hand to his lips. “Fatale gave me a talking to last night.”
“Merrigan? What about?”
“She told me a bigger man would know enough to stay out of your way and let you do your job.”
“How did that make you feel?”
“Pretty damn small at the time.”
When Dutch stopped walking, Malin stopped too and turned to look at him.
“I want you to know that I don’t doubt your abilities as an agent one bit. It isn’t about that. It’s that I…”
“What, Dutch?”
He ran his hand through his hair and looked out over the vineyard. “You won’t believe me.”
“Try me.”