Page 51 of Craving Sin (Touch of Evil 13)

The reply from the other individual came two days later:How?

Mitch’s response sent a jolt of panic through Bit’s body—all attention must be focused elsewhere. Win-win situation.

If their theory was right, Nanuqhadkilled Lusa.

But Jacob had been the one to bury the young woman’s remains without Nanuq present. Jacob had kept that ace in his back pocket all these years, and he had blackmailed Nanuq through Mitch for…

What?

Mitch had sent another message three days later—schedule distraction for 6/12. Approx 3:30 pm.

There were coordinates included that Bit identified.

Today's date.

And the time in the right-hand corner of Bit’s laptop showed 3:29 pm.

Nanuq was in custody, but it sounded as if a diversion had been set well in advance. What form would that distraction take?

“Shit,” Bit muttered, his fingers fumbling for the radio clipped to his belt. “Boss? Boss, you have to get out of there.”

Bit waited for confirmation, but Brook didn’t respond.

“Boss?” Bit released the button as he turned to search for Nathaniel. “Boss, do you copy? Something bad is going to happen, and you?—”

A distant, low rumble gradually turned into a thunderous blast, followed by a very sharp crack that traveled down the mountain.

Bit’s warning had come too late.

25

Brooklyn Sloane

June 2025

Wednesday — 3:27 pm

Brook measured her breathing, counting to ten. She hadn’t had to utilize such an exercise in quite some time. Her therapist had taught her the technique many years ago. While she had been hesitant to believe such a method could work, it had proven a useful emotional tool over the years.

She relied heavily on it today.

The overwhelming guilt and rage battling within her were almost too much to bear. She couldn’t allow Jacob to believe that anything had changed in the past half hour. He had no idea that the team had spoken to Mekhi Hale, which had led to the discovery of the old cabin…and then something else entirely.

Sally hadn't been resting in peace at all. Part of her had been here all along, at Jacob's disposal, stored like a trophy in a natural freezer. Brook rested a hand over her stomach, willing the nausea away.

“Ma’am?”

“Let me grab the bags,” Brook managed to say without her composure crumbling. She had been discussing the route down the mountain with the lead agent of the team that had been lowered from the chopper. They had agreed to maintain some distance should any intervention be necessary, as well as to carry the equipment bags that were no longer needed. “I’ll be back momentarily.”

The agent glanced toward Jacob, who stood between Victor and Russell, handcuffed but somehow still managing to look as if he were exactly where he wanted to be. She rejoined them, forcing herself to meet Jacob’s gaze directly. His eyes—the same shape as their father's but lacking any of the warmth she remembered from their childhood—tracked her movements with interest.

“This is what I love about you, dear sister. Such a challenge.”

Brook reached for the nearest bag, its weatherproof canvas rough against her fingers. She hefted its weight while nodding toward Russell to grab the remaining two.

“This hasn’t really been a challenge,” Brook responded to Jacob while waiting for Russell to help collect the equipment. “Oh, and I misspoke before. Nanuq wasn’t in custody, but he is now. Nathaniel just informed me of the arrest. Apparently, while Justin and another agent were escorting your defense attorney down the mountain, Nanuq thought the clearing would be free of prying eyes while he dug up Lusa’s remains. It looks as if the Kalluk family will get their closure, after all.”

Jacob simply tilted his head, another gesture reminiscent of their father's mannerisms. He remained leaning against the mountainside, his prison jumpsuit a stark contrast to the gray stone behind him.

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