Page 58 of Shadow Operative

“Then why didn’t you call the police?” Her voice cracked.

He bit down. “I did call them—anonymously. Now, why don’t you tell me whyyouwere in his apartment?”

Her face went pale. “How did you know that?”

“I saw the security footage.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re the one who erased it?”

“I didn’t eraseyou.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out something. “And I found this there. Look familiar?”

Nia stared at the earring and began to rub her temples. “I can explain.”

Gage crossed his arms, curious about what kind of story she would come up with. This could be good. “I’m waiting.”

Nia finished telling Gage the story and then studied his expression, determined to see if he believed her.

His arms remained crossed as he sat stiffly in the car. “So you’re telling me that you told Rob good night after dinner, and you don’t remember anything else until you woke up beside his dead body?”

“I know how it sounds.” Nia’s voice pitched with nerves, and she tried to calm herself. The task felt useless. “I really do. When I woke up and saw he was dead, I panicked. I knew how it would look. So I ran.”

“But you didn’tjustrun. You cleaned up part of the crime scene first, didn’t you?”

Nausea rose in her as memories flashed back to her. “Ididtry to conceal any evidence I’d been there. Only because I was freaking out. I’ve never been in a situation like that, and I didn’t know what to do.”

He stared at her.

“The killer was in the apartment with me. Took a photo of me beside Rob’s dead body. Texted it to me and said if I didn’t follow his instructions, he’d send the picture to the police.”

Gage’s eyes widened. “What does he want from you?”

She shook her head. “That’s the thing. I don’t know yet. I’m still waiting.”

Silence passed, and Nia waited to hear if Gage believed her or not.

After several minutes, he squinted skeptically. “Why can’t you remember?”

Nia shrugged then shook her head slowly as she wrestled with her thoughts. “I have no idea. I’m shaken by this whole thing also. If we don’t find the killer, then I’m most likely going to take the fall for this.”

Gage continued to study her as if trying to figure out if he believed anything she said.

But she wasn’t the only one hiding something right now. Gage had his own secrets. That was clear.

Her gaze locked with his. “Now are you finally going to tell me the truth also?”

Nia waited to hearwhat he had to say.

Would he tell her the truth? Or would he feed her more lies?

His next move would determine whether or not Nia could trust him.

And if she couldn’t trust him, that meant she was out here in the middle of nowhere with a man who screamed danger.

chapter

twenty-six

Gage staredat the vast nothingness in front of him and contemplated what to say to Nia.

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