Page 160 of Black Bird

“Sir,” Rhaena choked, blinking back tears. “Please don’t. We still have to stop these—”

“Yours too, Northwood!” Foley snapped his face towards her. “You’re both suspended until further notice.” Kane’s face popped up and he and Rhaena stared at each other. “Now.” He held his broad hand out. Rhaena un-clipped her badge from her belt, and handed it over, along with her pistol. Athan did the same, taking his badge from around his neck and staring at his weapon as Foley took it. For a split second, Rhaena remembered that gun being a part of the very first intimate moment Athan and Sarah had ever had. “I don’t want either of you near this case. Stratford, unless you want to catch charges of your own … stay the hell away from all of them. None of you better leave town. Jenkins … I’m not gonna ask you what you know. I need at least one person to help me figure out a way to work through this shit heap.”

Foley gave Rhaena a long, hard look. It felt like getting scolded by her uncle when she was little. Her chest ached, and she couldn’t bring herself to look away. “I’m sorry, sir.” A tear fell from her eye and streakeddown her cheek. “I’m a good cop. I want the same things as anyone else that takes that oath. I want you to know that.”

He swallowed and slowly nodded. “I believe you, Gloves. I know what it’s like to be in a tough situation … but all our choices have consequences. I’m sorry.” He lowered his eyes to the floor. “You both can wait for St. James at your desks. When she’s done, go home. All your phones will be returned to you. Clear out.” He slowly put his hands in his pockets and turned to face the window where Sarah and Foster had sat back down and were continuing to talk.

Rhaena glanced at Athan, and then at Jenkins who offered his hand. She took it and they all moved past Brent, who stood eyeing Kane as they passed. She turned around one last time, clearing her throat as she looked at her captain. “Can I ask you something, sir?” Foley turned his head in silent reply. “Why didn’t you seem surprised?”

They had all stopped, waiting for his answer, and he took a long moment to give it. “I told you before, Northwood. You don’t get involved with your partner. It’s trouble, and it never ends well. It didn’t end well for me. I’m a good cop too … but I should have been a better one.” He stared at her for a moment before returning his attention to the interrogation room. “Go.”

It was a silent walk back to their desks, which were now clear of all Agent Foster’s crew. Their board had been taken to the room with the rest of their shit, and Rhaena pulled her chair out, slowly sitting down as Brent stopped a few feet away. Athan rounded his own desk, observing all the trash and bullshit left behind. Jenkins sat on the edge, offering her silent comfort.

“I’m not sorry,” Brent started, staring a hole through Athan’s face. “We’ll have our time, detective. Boston shouldn’t have a monster like you looking after them.”

“I gave Sarah truth. I gave her space. She chose me on her own, Stratford. I let you have your moment. There won’t be another. Whether you approve or not, Sarah is mine. She doesn’t need your permission to live her own fucking life or make her own decisions. I didn’t take her from you. It doesn’t take a detective to know she was done with you before she’d even met me.” Athan’s eyes started to narrow, and his jaw feathered. “Because she cares about you, and because you helped her … I’m not gonna lay a hand on you. But if you so much as make a move towards me … or her? I’ll show you how much of amonsterI can be.” His eyes went black, and Jenkins pursed his lips, looking anywhere but at the unfolding situation.

“That’s your cue to leave, Brent,” Rhaena warned, without looking at him. Brent stood, staring him down for a long moment before turning and running a hand through his hair as he walked to the elevator. One of Foster’s uniforms approached them with an evidence bag that held all of their phones.

“I was told to give this to you,” the man said, handing Jenkins the bag. He didn’t say anything else before turning back down the hall andmaking himself scarce. Jenkins opened it and started passing out the devices.

“What do we do now?” Rhaena dared ask as Athan lowered himself into his chair. It screeched loudly when he turned it and Rhaena ground her teeth.

“I’m not leaving without her. I dunno what’s happening in there, but whatever Foster is filling her head with, she hasn’t tried to communicate it. When they’re done, I’m taking her out. Somewhere she can relax and clear her head.” Athan leaned back in his chair.

“That’s not a bad idea. I could use another day off,” Jenkins added, teetering Wren’s phone between his fingers. “We need to go find her and get your truck, anyway.”

“Go. I’ll wait for her.” Athan’s head nodded towards the elevator. Rhaena softly smiled at him.

“I’m sorry …” she breathed, hanging her head.

“You don’t have anything to be sorry for. It’s my fault. All of this is my fault, and I’ll make it right, Rhaena. Call me. I’ll meet you back at the apartment. We’ve got a lot of cleaning up to do.”

“Fuck,” Rhaena grumbled, forgetting about the mess she wasn’t ready to see. She hopped up from her chair, grabbing her stuff. Jenkins palmed her back as she turned. “We’re gonna get through this, Kane. All of us.” He toyed with the stubble on his chin and nodded once as he stared off. “I’ll see you later.”

“Do you have any idea how much of a relief it is that you know the reason I’m here?” Foster asked, situating herself in her chair. Sarah nervously leaned forward, staring at her. “I have nothing against you, Sarah. If I’m being honest, I even like you a little … but you’ve been a royal pain in my ass.”

Sarah scoffed, rolling her eyes. “I’ve been a pain inyourass?” She slapped her hand to the table. “Ever since my mom died, I’ve been trying to get away from you people. I’ve been left completely alone. My mom’s parents died when she was young, I have no siblings, and then I was an orphan with no fucking money. If that wasn’t bad enough, I didn’t even get to say goodbye to her, or give her the funeral she deserved. Nobody would give me answers, nobody would help me … and then I was kidnapped, and injected with God knows what, just so you fuckers could track my every move and use me like a guinea pig. Go fuck yourself!”

Foster shook her head and crossed her arms. “You have no idea.”

“Enlighten me then. Who thefuckare you?” Sarah crossed hers as well, leaning back in the seat.

“I’m part of a special team. Honestly, I do a lot of the same work you do, only I have to play cop more often than I’d like. It’s not the part I enjoy most. I prefer working with my hands. That being said, we didn’t inject you with anything.”

“Try again. I woke up on a table with bright lights, and my arms strapped down. When I thought I was delusional the next morning, I saw several needle pricks on my arms. What the hell did you do to me? What happened to my mom?”

Foster sighed. “You weren’t delusional, and yes…that was us. I’m sorry for that. But we didn’t do anything to you. We drew blood from several places on your arms. All we did was draw it and test it. That’s it, I swear it.” She held up two fingers. “As far as the shit with your mom, you’re gonna have to give me something first.”

“Not happening. You get nothing until I get what you promised me. Unless Brent was right, and you’re full of shit.” Sarah pressed her lips into a hard line.

“You still think that?” Foster scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Fine. Tell me … what do you remember about the night you were attacked? What did it feel like? What did it do to your body?”

“I don’t remember anything but the pain. I didn’t see him.”

Foster’s eyebrows jumped up and she grinned. “Him …”

Fuck …

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