Page 5 of The B-Team

“She’ll never give up her iPhone,” Ryan whispered to Elle. “It’s surgically attached to her hand.”

A police officer stepped up to Rachel and held out her hand for the phone.

“No,” Rachel said. “This phone is the property of TayFor Pharmaceuticals. It is not the property of Benson Security. In addition to being a business partner at Benson Security, I’m CEO of TayFor. There is proprietary information on this phone, and I will not hand it over. And”—she turned her cold stare on the commander—“I’m sure your warrant doesn’t cover property owned by TayFor, does it, Mr. Fitzwater?”

The commander’s cheeks flushed as his eyes darkened. “CommanderFitzwater.”

“Whatever.” Rachel waved a dismissive hand, still holding her phone. “Touch my phone, and I shall unleash my company’s lawyers. They’ve been bored lately and will jump at the opportunity to sue you—and the Metropolitan Police—for everything you own.” She smiled, making it clear that the commander wasn’t the only predator in the room. “As CEO, I’m happy for those lawsuits to be their sole focus for years to come. I wonder if the tabloids will be interested in the story or if it will remain purely in the business press. I guess we’ll have to find out.”

“There are days when I love that woman,” Elle said with awe.

“You don’t intimidate me, Ms. Ford-Talbot. Your family isn’t the only one with connections in high places.”

Rachel was unimpressed. “Ah, you’rethoseFitzwaters.” She shrugged. “It won’t make any difference to my lawyers.”

There seemed to be a silent standoff as Rachel and Fitzwater glared at each other.

“Do you think they’re communicating with some high-class telepathy that only works if you’re related to the royal family?” Elle murmured.

Beside them, a cop snorted before quickly donning a blank expression.

“Um, sir?” A male police officer spoke up. “They’ve all dunked their phones in water, or tea, or some other drink. What do you want us to do?”

Reluctantly, the commander tore his gaze from Rachel’s. “Gather all of them. They’ll dry out.”

“Eventually,” Elle whispered gleefully.

“And Ms. Ford-Talbot’s phone?” the man asked somewhat anxiously.

“She can keep it.” The commander practically spat out the words. “For now.”

Rachel didn’t gloat. Instead, she turned her attention to her phone and started tapping on the screen.

“I really hope she’s messaging for help instead of checking the status of her latest Harrods order,” Ryan muttered.

“What charges are you investigating exactly?” Lake Benson asked.

In a room filled with tension, he appeared perfectly relaxed. Guess that’s why he was the boss.

Commander Fitzwater could barely contain his joy. “Firearms offenses, cybercrimes, public endangerment, assault, and terrorism—to name a few highlights.”

Lake’s lips thinned, but his eyes never left the commander. “Rachel, if you’re contacting our lawyers, please tell them what charges are being investigated.” He cocked an eyebrow at the police commander. “What evidence do you have of terrorism?”

The commander scanned the room until his gaze landed on Elle. “Hacking sanctioned and ordered by Benson Security. It appears Ms. Roberts has been manipulating government databases.Thatqualifies as terrorism. As does public endangerment, harboring wanted criminals, and moving classified information internationally.”

Elle sucked in a breath, her hands trembling, but she lifted her chin in defiance.

A chair scraped on the floor as her husband stood. He faced the commander with icy disdain. “Her name is Ms. Roberts-Knight, and it would be a good idea for you to show some care before you start throwing accusations around.”

The commander wasn’t impressed. “Are you threatening me? Mr. …?”

“Knight. David Knight,” Elle’s ex-spy husband said. “And no. I’m asking you to ensure that your actions are reasonable and well-thought-out. Because once you start on this course, there’s no going back. You might want to take a second to think things over before you commit. I don’t appreciate people bullying my wife.”

From the look on Fitzwater’s face, he had no intention of taking David’s wise advice. “Round up all Benson Security employees and take them to the custody suites. I want Benson and the other owners taken to Chelsea, along with any higher-ranking staff. Everyone else can be taken to the overflow center.”

“We don’t have ranks,” Callum snapped. “No matter how hard I’ve tried to institute them.”

“My officers have a list of the people I’d most like to question. We’ll start with those.” Fitzwater dismissed Callum and turned back to Lake. “You’ve played fast and loose with the law for too long. You act like it doesn’t apply to you or your company. Well, today is your day of reckoning. Today, you answer for your crimes.” He glanced at one of his officers. “Get them out of here.”