She was there! Just as Maynard hoped, Leslee had waited to see him safely inside. Her car’s engine was running while she stared up at him, her face chalky and strained. “Maynard!” The voice boomed behind him. “Stop! Treasury!” He ran faster, gravity pulling him as inexorably as his mistakes. ATF agents. It was almost funny. Even now Bremner covered his ass. He could do that so easily, because Tad Gorman, one of the secret board members, was now at Treasury, high up and powerful. The two would hide in each other’s armpits. But there was Leslee, waiting in her car. Her heart-shaped face grew larger and closer with each step. He was sweating terribly. It was his diabetes. His heart seemed to pound like a kettle drum. God, would it explode? And then he was almost at the curb. Leslee leaned over and swung open the door. His head reeled. “Hurry, Lucas!” Leslee beckoned. He was shocked at how bloodless her little fingers were. “Lucas, they’re right behind you!” she cried.
