Page 111 of Black Bird

Foley raised a palm and shook his head. “There’s nothing that can be done about it, Gloves. You’ve had time. I tried to warn you both aboutthe bigger hands in the pot.” They all turned toward six dark vehicles that pulled in around the scene. Foley leaned in and demanded their attention before lowering his voice. “If you know where she is, then get her the hell out of Boston before she’s found … either by them.” He nodded toward the team of agents emerging from the SUV convoy. “Or, by whatever deranged psychopath didthis.” His long finger pointed back down at the young girl’s body.

“Conrad Stratford,” Rhaena whispered, desperate to leave the captain with some sort of direction. He lowered his brows at her. “If they take over this case … tell them to dig into Conrad Stratford.”

“He’s a very powerful man, Northwood. I can’t go on hunches here.” Foley glanced behind her as if in warning that they were running out of time to talk about it.

“It’s not a hunch, sir.”

Footsteps became louder and a tall, pretty blonde woman came to stand between her and the captain. Her long hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and she shrugged on a heavier jacket with the tacky FBI insignia all over it. “Detectives, this is Agent Rachel Foster. She’ll be taking over the case,” Foley said, looking between them all. Rhaena glanced at Athan, who to her surprise, wasn’t paying a damn bit of attention.

“Times up, detectives … sorry,” Rachel clapped her hands together in front of her and offered a tight smile. “This is considered a serial murderer at this point, and you’ve got nothing. So … it’s my turn. Which one of you is Detective Kane?”

Athan turned toward her and raised two fingers. Her eyes raked over his entire body and Rhaena nearly lost her self-control. “I’m Kane,” he replied softly.

Rachel quirked a brow and smiled. “I see … it’s a shame. I would have been ecstatic to work with someone like you.” She winked.

Oh, you flighty little cunt … back the hell off.

“He’s not interested,” Rhaena spat, pocketing both her hands. Rachel grinned and Foley shot Rhaena a stern look.

“Ah … Northwood, I presume. I’ve heard you’d be pretty good to work with as well, but … sadly your name isn’t the one written in blood.” She gloved up and stepped over to the body, kneeling down to examine it. “I want every file you have on this case—even if it’s just a theory with nothing to back it up. And I’d like Sarah St. James brought in immediately.”

Athan glanced at Foley, who lowered his eyes to the ground. “For what reason?” he asked, bristling. Rachel looked up at him from the ground and shielded her eyes from the sunlight.

“Unfortunately, I’m not at liberty to discuss it. But I understand that she’s been in your care for some time now, so I’m gonna need you to bring her in.” She stood and stepped close enough to Athan to make Rhaena want to snap her neck. “Look, I get it. It’s clear what’s going on here. I don’t really give a shit what’s going on between you, but …” She leaned in and whispered, “This isn’t your case anymore. She’s no longer your problem. So, bring her to me. And don’t try anything stupid, detective. I’m really not in the mood to chase you down.”

“Why do you want her? And where is she going?” Rhaena asked.

“I don’t want her. My superiors have requested that I bring her in, and unlike the two of you … I like getting my shit done and keeping the bigger dogs off my back.” She smiled. “Now … are we gonna play nice, or do I need to send one ofmydogs?”

Rhaena huffed a laugh and crossed her arms. “You know … I’m on vacation. And I dunno where she is.” She glanced at Athan, and he met her eyes. “Let’s go, Kane.”

Athan narrowed his eyes at the agent. “Unfortunately, I’m not at liberty to discuss it.And since you’ve hijacked my case … help yourself to my desk as well as my board at the precinct. But as of now, I’m feeling a bit under the weather. I’ll be taking some time off.” He looked over at his captain, who surprisingly nodded his head with a smirk. Rhaena’s adrenaline pumped with excitement when he matched Agent Foster’s proximity and leaned in toward her face. “Consider me a citizen now, Agent Foster. I don’t take kindly to anyone touching my shit.”

Foster smiled. “You realize I could have your badge for interfering in an investigation?”

Athan shrugged a shoulder and smirked back. “I’m not interfering. And as Northwood’s already said … we don’t know where she is.”

“I know you have officers posted outside her door and following her wherever she goes. I’ve read up on all of you, detective.”

“Well, if that’s true … then you know how unpredictable Sarah is. I’m not helping you find her. It was nice meeting you.” Athan drew back and slipped a cigarette into his mouth, turning away and walking to his car. Foley’s smirk grew wider, and he slowly shook his head as he also turned and walked in the opposite direction, leaving Rhaena with the saucy blonde.

“So, I guess it’s safe to say we’re not going to be adults about this?” Foster continued with her foxlike smile.

“That’smypartner, Agent Foster.” Rhaena pointed back toward Athan with her thumb. “We take the cases that nobody can figure out, and given the circumstances, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised to see the big wigs moving in … but let me be clear.” Rhaena stepped closer. “If you ever threaten him again … in any way … you won’t just have him to deal with. And I’d prefer you keep your eyes somewhere respectable the next time you look at him, or I’ll pluck them out of your pretty head.” Rhaena winked and turned her back on her and started toward her SUV.

“Communicating threats will land you without a badge, too.”

“Good luck with that, bitch,” Rhaena called over her shoulder as she continued to walk away. Once she was in her car, and a safe distance away, she rang Athan.

“Hey.”

“You were with her last night, weren’t you?” Rhaena barked.

“It’s not what you think. But I’m saying yes, anyway.”

“Is she at the apartment?”

“She is.”

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