Hidden Agenda by Lisa Harris Page B

because I think it’s the wisest thing to do, but because you know this case inside and out. And just so we’re clear, I expect to be kept in the loop. Because whatever the truth ends up being, your brother’s in way over his head.”
    Mason broke his silence as soon as the captain left the room. “I’m sorry. If I could have warned you—”
    â€œThis wasn’t your fault.” She looked up at him, wondering if any of her arguments were worth anything. “It’s just that I spent months trying to prove his innocence, and I meant what I said. No matter what kind of evidence they have, no matter what kind of proof, nothing will convince me that he sold us out.”
    â€œYou know I don’t believe for a moment that he’d betray any of us either.”
    Avery leaned against her desk, fighting back the tears. She’d always been the protective older sister. The one who’d found a reason to keep going after losing her husband. The one who’d come up fighting after Michael died. But today . . . today she felt like everything she’d tried to do to prove his innocence was suddenly slipping away.
    She looked up at Mason. “Promise me you’ll do everything you can to keep this off the nightly news for as long as possible. I’d rather my mother not know what’s going on until we’re 100 percent sure whether he’s alive or not. Even if that was him on the video, he could be killed before this is all over.”
    â€œOf course.” Mason nodded. “But what are you going to do if Michael contacts you?”
    Avery tried to process the question, knowing all her options were unacceptable. If Michael turned himself in, he’d be arrested. If he stayed out there, there was a good chance the cartel would try to take him down.
    â€œI don’t know,” she said. “I honestly don’t know.”

10
    M ichael shouted as the ground tore open beneath him. He slammed against the concrete as an explosion ripped through the building behind him, sucking up the air around him and leaving his lungs desperate for breath. Debris smashed against his back and thighs, smoldering embers looking for something to burn.
    And then nothing.
    An unsettling silence surrounded him. The air was hot and smoky as he tried to fill his lungs with oxygen. Light peeked through the corners of his eyes as he forced them open, the ground rumbling around him. He could see someone run past him. His face was plastered against the ground, and he could feel the heat from the burning warehouse.
    Someone dragged him from the pavement. Nausea swept over him as they lifted him into the car. He should be dead. Should be in that warehouse with Bruce. It wasn’t the first time he’d faced death head-on and won. But this time had been different.
    He shouldn’t be alive.
    Like Bruce. But instead of being able to save his partner Bruce, he’d only managed to save Valez. Pulled him toward safety the moment he’d realized the bomb was going to go off. Michael’sunconscious mind fought to unearth the truth. How had his dreams become more vivid than reality?
    His mind shifted. He was back on the veranda sitting across from Valez, staring once again at his own obituary.
    Valez was offering him a smug grin. “I felt like it was the least I could do after you saved my life.” He tapped the obituary with his finger. “I thought adding your love of the outdoors was a nice touch, though I realize it must feel a bit strange to find out you’re a dead man.”
    Michael had worked to temper the anger rising inside his gut. “I don’t understand. How did this happen?”
    â€œI suppose the reason behind your . . . exaggerated death . . . isn’t clear to you yet.”
    Michael bit back a sharp response. “No, it’s not.”
    â€œI’m worried, Michael. Between ongoing investigations by the IRS, the DEA, and