Page 141 of Black Bird

“Alright, I’ve got the number. Who’s gonna call him?”

Brent sat in the parking lot at EverLife’s campus, forgetting that they’d likely be closed for the holiday. He was walking a fine line between legally having Nick Specter pissing himself and beating the shit out of him. He still wasn’t sure where this tempered rage was coming from all of a sudden. He tried talking himself out of figuring out where the prick lived. If he’d listen to the rational voice in his head that told him to plan it out, and wait for the best opportunity to strike, then he could keep himself out of the trouble he earned his living battling for his clients. He considered going to the mansion. This might be the last Thanksgiving he could ever spend with his mother, though he wasn’t sure he could look at her knowing that he’d given away her only chance at survival. His phonerang and he looked down at it while it sat on the mount attached to his dashboard. An unknown number. He opened the call.

“Brent Stratford.”

“Stratford, this is Detective Kane.”

His skin prickled with nerves. “I’m assuming you’ve been warned about your face being all over the news? Where’s Sarah?”

“We’re aware. That’s why I’m calling. Sarah’s just fine. She can hear you.”

“Hey, Brent.”

Neither one of them sounded like they were especially concerned about being wanted for murder. “I know you didn’t do this, Sarah. And Kane, your captain came to my house this morning. What is it that you need me to do? I wanna help.”

“Brent, I need to hire you. Can you represent me if I turn myself in?”Sarah asked.

It only filled him with more anger. “Why the hell would you do something like that? You didn’t hurt anybody.”

“I know that. If we give up the chase, then I was hoping you could help convince them too. I’m not well-versed in legal shit. Running only makes me look guilty.”

“Kane?”

“I’m coming, too.”

“They’re charging you for harboring?”

“So, I’ve been told.”

Brent sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “If you two are really gonna do this, then—then Kane, I think it would look better and run smoother if you brought her in as the arresting officer.”

“Oooo, you get to arrest me,”Sarah snickered quietly.

“Yeah, I’m still here. Thanks.” Brent rolled his eyes.

“That’s a smart move, Stratford. I can do that. But while we’re on the subject of charges, how much would you be able to help argue against the government coming after her for research?”

Brent stared at the phone and scrunched his face. “Research?”

“Yeah, research I did at the lab regarding my mom. Can they do that to me?”

“If you didn’t try to illegally pry open classified documentation, then no. We’re all protected by the same constitution. It shouldn’t matter, as long as you didn’t break any laws. I don’t really have to know much about what they’re worried about you finding, I just have to argue that they’re infringing your rights. I’ll be able to get a better idea once we hear what they have to say.”

“So, you’ll help?”she sounded hopeful, but not desperate. Something in him warmed at the contentment in her voice. It was at that moment; he’d realized he let her go for good.

“Yeah, I’ll help. When are you planning to do this?”

“Monday morning.”It sounded like Kane had cut her off before she could answer.“Holiday weekends are crawling with cops. I don’thave my car to bring her in. We’ll hide out at my place Sunday night, and I’ll take her in Monday morning.”

“Won’t the cops be scoping your place?”

“Northwood said they already tossed my apartment. They’re not likely to go back. It’ll be the last place anyone would expect us to go.”

“That’s true. Keep in touch if you think of anything else. I’ll meet you both at the precinct on Monday.” Brent paused for a moment, wondering if he should ask, but the heaviness outweighed. “And Sarah?”

“Yeah?”

“I know this probably isn’t even fair to ask you … but do you still have the blood bag I gave you the night of the benefit?”

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