Page 17 of Craving Sin (Touch of Evil 13)

“This is low, Brook. Even for you.” Nathaniel slowly stood, taking time to readjust his windbreaker. “You realize that by placing this call, the entire plea deal goes to shit. A mistrial will be declared, and I’ll have to refile the charges. A year of preparation down the drain.”

“I also know that Judge Colletti won’t issue a warrant without first taking at least an hour or two to review the legal ramifications. In the meantime, we’re moving up the timing of this recovery mission. While you make the call, I’ll notify everyone that we’ll be leaving within the hour. As long as you present the facts the way I’ve already outlined them for you, Judge Collettiwillsign the warrant. It should come through just as we’re about to set out from the clearing. When you get the call, excuse yourself from the hike, supervise the handling of the warrants from here, and ensure DNA samples are collected from Norona’s hotel room.”

“Is this Hale guy even still alive?”

“Yes. Theo and Sylvie plan to obtain a statement from him today."

“You know that when I get the call, Norona will be getting one, too,” Nathaniel advised her, even though she was already aware of the legal procedures. “For God’s sake, we’re talking about a mistrial, Brook. This recovery operation is over and done with the second that I?—”

“No, it’s not. Get the warrant, Nathaniel.”

He shot her a look of suspicion, and she couldn’t deny that it was deserved.

“How long have you been sitting on this information?”

“Does it matter?”

There was no need to deny the accusation. Her reasoning for not wanting to tip their hand earlier didn’t matter anyway. Kate’s death had changed everything.

“Fine, I'll make the call. When this blows up in our face, I expect you to call in whatever chip you have with Chris Donovan, because I sure as hell won’t have a job if this goes sideways.”

Nathaniel waited for her nod of agreement before disappearing through the connecting doorway. He didn’t even bother to close it behind him. The room seemed to expand in Nathaniel's absence, as if the very walls had been holding their breath alongside her. She slowly exhaled before turning to find Bit staring at her while slowly swallowing what was left of his candy.

“You're a badass, Boss.”

“You’re not going to think that after I ask you to pay a visit today to those who were with—or supposed to be with—Lusa Kalluk on the night of her disappearance.”

Bit began to jostle his leg up and down with unease. Although she had ensured that he received field training over the past four years, he still preferred being behind his computer. She only ever requested his presence in the field when absolutely necessary, and this was one of those times.

“I thought you and the others questioned the Kalluk family last night, Boss.” Bit shifted in his chair, but he still didn’t seem any more comfortable than before. “You, Little T, Big T, and the others. You all talked to them, even the friend and boyfriend. What makes you think they’ll tell me something they didn’t tell you?”

“Aputi was at the bar the night his sister disappeared, while Nanuq and Kavik said they were held up fixing a fence on the wildlife conservation. Lusa’s friend, Delilah, was waitressing. All their statements match exactly,” Brook said as she closed the distance to one of the beds. “Word for word. Their stories didn’t change last night, either. They all claim not to recognize Jacob, which is probably true. Blackpeak is fifty-some miles from Silverton. We need to start establishing motives now that everything is in motion.”

Brook picked up her jacket and slipped her arms into the sleeves. She zipped up the warm material, then tucked the right side over her holstered firearm. Underneath her jacket, she wore a long-sleeved thermal shirt that hugged her like a second skin. The lightweight fabric trapped her body heat while letting her skin breathe.

“Boss, we couldn’t find any motive for Lusa Kalluk’s disappearance before,” Bit said cautiously, his tone low enough that it wouldn’t travel through the open door connecting the two rooms. “What makes you think I can find someone with motive?”

Brook glanced down at her hiking boots, ones that she had owned for years. They were broken in, comfortable, and high enough around her ankles to conceal the compact firearm she could rely on if needed.

“You can read people, too, Bit.” Brook picked up her phone, which she had set down to grab her jacket, and secured it in her side pocket. The small leather pouch on the back held her driver's license, credit card, and cash. Everything else she needed for the day was stored in a backpack near the door. She had packed her own, not wanting to depend on anyone else. “Everything has been laid out in front of us like a breadcrumb trail. That trail was meant to lead us to Mitch Norona. While I do believe he’s somehow involved in all this, I don’t like how we’re being led by the hand. We’ve been deliberately distracted for the past five months.”

Brook walked over to Bit and patted him on the shoulder in reassurance.

“It’s time we veer off course, Bit. You’ve got this.”

9

Theo Neville

June 2025

Wednesday — 8:37 am

The clatter of silverware and the occasional awkward cough from the patrons created a rather tense atmosphere inside the Silverton diner. There was a collective unease, which had only grown as a few more residents trickled in during the last hour. Word had already spread that two individuals linked to law enforcement were inquiring about Mekhi Hale and his possible connection to a serial killer.

It was only a matter of time before the fisherman came out of hiding.

“You would think Beth would have given us our check by now,” Theo murmured behind his mug. He drained the last of the contents. “They all might be curious, but they also all seem to be on edge. I say we give it five more minutes, and then we start questioning them one by one.”

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