Page 19 of Second Chance Savior

“The FBI hasn’t even confirmed Stillwater exists.”

“Which is exactly the problem. Stillwater has influence in the government. At every level. We have no idea how far it extends. But you already suspect that, don’t you? You’re the FBI liaison for Charlie’s initiative to fight human trafficking. You must’ve been asking questions within your office about Stillwater. And you’ve hit a brick wall every time, right?”

Her pensive expression confirmed what I’d said was true. “How do you know that?”

Because it’s happening everywhere we look too, I thought. “My methods don’t matter.”

I appreciated this chance to study her reactions, though. No alarm bells.

I went on. “We both know what you’re going to do. Given the stakes, you’ll let me do my thing simply because Charlie is your friend, and you won’t take the risk of anything happening to her.”

“For all I know, you’re the true threat. What if your investigation into Stillwater made them want to retaliate? And they knew Charlotte had ties to you, so they went after her?”

“Not possible. Stillwater might have stumbled across my real name because of things that’ve happened near Hartley, but there’s no way they’ve connected my online handle. More than that, only a handful of people are aware I know Charlie at all. Most of them our family members.”

“Then this could all be fabricated by you. A way to get access to Charlotte for your own purposes. I don’t see a reason to believe a single thing you say.”

“I would never hurt Charlie.”

Brynn edged closer. An implicit challenge in the way she stood. “From her reaction to you? I would guess that you already have.”

I kept myself impassive. But her words had hit their mark.

Then she leaned back. Her smirk had returned. “It’s a risk letting you stay here in my home, but for Charlotte’s sake,I’m willing to accept it. Just behave yourself. And know that I’ll be watching.”

Brynn spun on her heel and slowly walked toward the hall. Only then did I exhale. And allow myself to consider what she’d said.

I would guess that you already have.

CHAPTER SIX

River

Eighteen Years Ago

First morningof the summer at the McKinley residence. Six weeks in rural Colorado. Forty days, and I was counting them down.

I woke before dawn,waybefore dawn, because I was on East Coast time at the moment. Jumped down to the carpeted floor. Did my usual routine. Pushups, sit-ups, keeping my breathing regulated and silent. Didn’t want to wake my little brother and hear his complaining.

Then I sat in front of my laptop to keep working on some code that was kicking my ass.

Finally, Ross shifted and yawned in the lower bunk. He pushed the pillow off his head and looked over at me. “What time is it?”

“Breakfast.” The smells of bacon and coffee had been drifting upstairs for a little while.

“Good. I’m starved.”

“You’ve been awake less than a minute.”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“Just that you’re boring.”

“Shut up. It’s too early for you to be a jerk yet.”

“I’m a jerk at all hours.”

I wasn’t finished with my project, but I closed my laptop anyway. This was good practice. Soon, I wouldn’t be in charge of my own schedule, even less than at school. I’d have to be ready for that.

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