Page 162 of Black Bird

Sarah huffed, rolling her eyes. And then she told her everything. Foster didn’t take notes or interrupt her with questions. She only listened, taking in every detail and occasionally narrowing her eyes like she was piecing it all together. When she was finished, she felt winded, but somehow lighter. Like a tremendous pressure had been lifted off her shoulders, but replaced with the slight weight of a truth she wasn’t sure how to deal with.

“Do you know anything about the kid that disappeared?” Foster asked.

“I don’t. I know Athan had suspected the same thing, but he hasn’t been back to the club.”

“And Nick Specter? Your boss?”

“I’ve not spoken to him in quite a while, though I’d like to beat the shit out of him for his part in all this.” Sarah cracked her knuckles under the table.

“I don’t blame you … but you need to keep a low profile right now. When you leave this building,pleasefor the love of God … don’t make my job harder. I’m begging you.”

Sarah stared at her for a few long seconds, but then nodded—knowing full well that keeping a low profile was the last fucking thing she was planning to do. She was done depending on other people to look out for her. Even if theyweremore experienced. Foster slipped a card across the table and Sarah took it between her fingers.

“I want you to call me if there’s anything else I need to know, or if you need help. Understand? Don’t leave me in the dark, and I’ll extend the same courtesy. This will all go so much smoother if we work together.”

“I should probably tell you something before I leave,” Sarah admitted, standing slowly. Foster braced herself and blew out a frustrated breath.

“Hit me with it.”

“I gave that blood bag to Brent to take to the little girl at the hospital. Or to help his mother. Whichever he decides to do. I did tell him to keep it to himself.”

“That’s a dangerous gamble, friend.” Foster shook her head. “If they’re cured and word gets out … it fucks this whole thing up. You do realize that, don’t you?”

“I understand. But if it could just save one life before we stick it in the vault forever …”

“Sarah … look, I—weaving the threads of fate? That’s not something you wanna take on. It’s not something anybody could handle on their own, and it’s not something the world is ready for. I get it … I really do. But this has gotta be the last time, and you need to make damn sure it stays quiet. Don’t get on the wrong side of this. You have enough enemies as it is. Don’t make us one of them. Deal?” Foster raised her brows.

“Alright,” Sarah agreed, turning towards the door. Foster didn’t say anything else as she crept down the hallway, dodging pointed looks until she made it to Kane’s desk. He raised from his chair as she approached, stumbling around the side of the desk and taking her into his arms. She had no words to describe the way it made the floodgates open and everything she’d been holding in spilled out into broken sobs as she buried her face into his chest.

“I’ve got you …” Athan soothed, stroking her hair. She didn’t like feeling so vulnerable in front of a precinct full of strangers, but the harder he squeezed her, the more stable she felt. She felt his chin lift off the top of her head and she turned to see Foley standing behind her in the hallway. Hesaid nothing, and looked like he was ready to explode. “Let’s get you outta here, okay?”

“Please,” Sarah agreed, taking his hand as he led her to the elevator.

Sarah nestled close to him as they waited for the elevator to reach the bottom. Neither of them said anything … not aloud, or through their minds as the doors opened and everyone’s eyes followed their every move. Athan knew none of them had heard what he’d disclosed to his captain, and the way they always looked at him, even before their pictures popped up on the news … it never really bothered him. But the way they looked ather—he wanted to flail every last one of them. He shouldn’t have been shocked when Sarah stopped them abruptly, turning herself in a circle and looking at them all.

“Staring is easy enough. Anybody got the fucking balls to say whatever’s on their mind?” Several looked away, busying themselves. Some didn’t and continued to stare. “No? What a shame. I was looking forward to casting a spell or two … maybe lend you some of my clothes and gut you in an alley,” Sarah snapped, reeling a chuckle from him as he slid a hand around her back. She focused on a dark-haired rookie that resembled her, the cop’s smug expression honing in when Sarah smirked at her. “You look like you’d be fun, bitch.”

“Try it,” Officer Grayson bit, placing a hand on her weapon.

“If any of you knew how to do your fucking jobs, you’d know it wasn’t us. The next time you see me, you’ll be thanking me for doing itforyou.” Sarah growled.

“Detective!” Athan and Sarah both turned back toward the elevator to see Foster hurrying towards them. Everybody else resumed whatever they were doing. The agent approached and Athan sneered at her. “When I told you I’d have your badge, I didn’t expect you to give it up, yourself. What the hell did you do?”

Sarah turned toward him, peering up in surprise. “Youwhat?”

“Captain Foley just informed me that you and Northwood are suspended. He wouldn’t say why.” Foster placed a hand on her hip.

“It’s none of your business, Foster,” Athan said through his teeth. “And don’t try to act like you’re sorry it happened, now. If you hadn’t come here, we’d still be working this case. Go fuck up somebody else’s day.”

She trained her eyes on Sarah. “You haven’t told him yet …” Athan looked down at his mate who returned Foster’s attention.

“I’ve only been gone for five minutes. That’s a lot to unpack in an elevator.”

“Fair enough. But you should know … Foley looks like he’s seen a ghost. If he has any idea what we talked about, then it’s just another peg on the board that we have to keep eyes on. So, figure it out …quietly.” Foster narrowed her eyes at Sarah, and then nodded once at him. “I’ll try to smooth that out, detective.” She turned and left, and he could feel Sarah’s eyes on him.

“What happened in there? And what the hell hit the window?”

“Let’s get outta here first.” He turned them around and they didn’t speak again until he’d started his car and backed out of the parking space.

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