Free Troublemaker by Linda Howard

paid enough to cover the income tax on the hundred thou. Don’t worry, you won’t be audited because of it. Come on, yes or no.”
    She didn’t want to make an immediate decision. The worst financial mistake of her life had come from her leaping before she looked. “I need to think it over.”
    â€œSorry. It’s now or never. Like I said, these phones won’t be used again, and it’s too dangerous to contact me by normal means.”
    The day was long past when she could be railroaded into making decisions before she had answers. “Hmmm. Point one: I don’t like beingpushed. Point two: I don’t trust you, which makes me think you’re afraid I’ll see what’s off about this if you give me time to think about it. So, okay, here’s your answer—”
    â€œAll right, all right!” He sounded grumpy, which she enjoyed. Given the age difference between them, in their admittedly juvenile arguments during the brief time their parents had been married, she had never gotten the best of him. But she wasn’t thirteen now, and she knew her own mind. “A hundred and fifty thousand.”
    â€œI’m not bargaining for more money, but thank you. I’ll keep that number in mind if I agree,” she said coolly.
    â€œLook.” For the first time in her memory, there was a tone in Axel’s voice as if he were addressing her without mockery, with dead seriousness. “I know this is an unusual situation. Your particular circumstances make it ideal for my purposes, though. No one would tie us together—”
    â€œThank God,” she said, unable to resist the admittedly juvenile verbal jab.
    â€œDitto. But you have resources, you’re isolated without having to move him too far away in case I need him, and most of all, you need the money.”
    There was that. Since her colossal career misjudgment seven years ago, money—or the lack of it—had been behind every decision she’d made. She’d learned how to make smart choices financially, to be an adult and do what had to be done, which was work two jobs. Occasionally part of her still yearned for the heady feeling of taking risks and coming out on top, but at the same time she was mostly happy where she was. It was a learned happiness, but happiness nevertheless.
    She wasn’t embarrassed by her financial situation. It was much better now than it had been, and she’d dug herself out the pit. Still, how did Axel know anything about her life at all, much less her finances?
    As if he’d read her mind, he said, “I did some deep digging on you.”
    â€œIf you’re so anxious to hide him, wouldn’t that leave a trail?”
    â€œIf one knew where to look, yes, but I went through intermediaries, in-person and verbal instruction only. There are a lot of layers between us. I made sure you’re protected and anonymous.”
    It wasn’t like Axel to be conciliatory or even agreeable, which told her how important this was to him. Being safe would definitely be important to Morgan Yancy, at least while he was in his current condition. She wasn’t a bleeding-heart-type person, but neither was she callous, and she already knew she couldn’t send him away for the simple reason that he wasn’t in any shape to drive. He’d be spending the night here, regardless. Whether or not he was any stronger tomorrow remained to be seen.
    A hundred and fifty thousand dollars . . .
    Then she sighed. No matter how much money he was offering, she had other people to consider. “It won’t work,” she said flatly. “If he has a killer stalking him, I won’t endanger the people around here. I just won’t.”
    â€œYou won’t be,” Axel assured her. “There’s no connection to make, no way of tracing him to you. Just give him a place to hide out. I guess I could send him to a safe house, but security has been