Page 193 of Black Bird

Brent was quiet for a moment, but then shook his head and sighed. “No. Just the typical bullshit he always gives. It never ends well. I’m sorry, Sarah.”

“No explanation for the blood I could smell from all the way over there?” She jerked her head towards Athan’s car across the street and Brent’s eyes narrowed into slits as he peered at her in question, a deep crease forming between his brows.

“You’ve changed. You’re—” Brent paused glancing at Athan. “That’s what’s different today.” It was almost as if all of a sudden, that notion didn’t bother the lawyer as much.

“I’m still me, Brent.”

“I can see that. But doesn’t that mean …” he paused, looking between them both. “Did you … die?”

Athan swallowed, fighting back the urge to grind his teeth at the image of her flat-lining in that lab, and tightened his arm around her.

“I’m okay. Apparently, six feet isn’t enough to keep me down.” Sarah shrugged and smiled at him. Athan leaned in close to her.

Something’s up, Sarah … he’s hiding something.

Sarah shifted again, growing still as she took a harder look at her ex. He still had his hands in his pockets, and seemed as if he were growing more uncomfortable by the minute.

You think there was more to that little “meet-cute” in the store?

Whatever that was. Athan tried earnestly not to snort.

Only one way to find out. Keep him busy. I’m going inside.

He nodded at Stratford, and Sarah’s fingers lingered around his as he pulled away and made to step around the lawyer and open the door. “Be right back.” He lifted her knuckles to his mouth and bit down on them playfully before he let go of her hand.

“Not to sound stupid, but what could either of you possibly need from a drug store?” Brent asked, almost jokingly. Sarah, being the quick-witted asshole that he loved, supplied an excuse he knew Brent would likely be thinking far too much about for a while.

“Condoms,”she spat, quirking a brow. Athan found it impossible to stifle his laugh, then. He didn’t stick around to see the look on Brent’s face, although he found himself immediately regretting it.

He walked in, seeing only two or three customers busying themselves around the small shelves, and one of the staff picking througha discarded basket on the floor. Athan approached her, and when she looked up at him, she nearly toppled over, catching herself and flushing a shade of red before raising from a squat.

“C-can I help you, sir?” she asked, wiping her hands on her shirt.

“Yes … I’m Detective Athan Kane with the Boston Police Department.” Athan went for his badge but forgot that he didn’t have it to flash at her anymore. As the young girl appeared not to give half a shit, he continued, “Was that basket, by chance, left by the gentleman that just walked out with a bodyguard?”

“Uh … yeah, actually,” she said, tucking her hair behind her ear, and reaching down for the basket. She raised it and held it between them. “Doesn’t look like much. Just a couple bottles of peroxide and some gauze.”

“Did you happen to catch much of the conversation that was had before he left?” An older woman peeked from around the end of the aisle and raised a finger at him.

“I heard a bit.” She seemed like one of those neighbors that lived for gossip and knew everyone’s business. Exactly the type he needed right now. Athan thanked the girl and stepped toward the woman.

“What can you tell me, dove?” he smiled, politely. He made sure to butter his voice into a flattering, flirty tone. The woman blushed.

“They were talking about some questionable friends, the young guy’s sick mother … and some redhead. It sort of piqued my interest when I heard the word ‘kidnapping’, but when I started to pay closer attention, the man walked out with the big guy.”

“Anything else?”

She shook her head slowly, shrugging. “Not that I could gather. Something about a horse?”

“I heard them both mention something about a restraining order a few times,” the young girl with the basket added, placing Conrad’s items back on the shelf. Athan turned himself to face her.

“That’s helpful. Thank you, both.” He dipped his chin and started down the aisle toward the door, stopping short as he passed the younger girl. She eyed his every move, staring after him like she’d salivate.

“Is there anything else I can help you with, detective?” she blushed.

“Actually …” Athan snatched a box of condoms off the shelf and teetered it between his fingers. “I need to check out.”

The older woman cleared her throat and turned around to make herself invisible, and the young girl nearly choked on her own breath. “I—um … I can … take you—check you out over here.” She turned a bright shade of red, and rubbed the back of her neck as she led him towards the register.

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