Page 26 of Craving Sin (Touch of Evil 13)

“I get something much better than that, Jacob.” Brook waited until he was done putting on a show for the others. Only when he had lowered his arms did she finish her part of their conversation. “I know for certain you didn’t kill Lusa Kalluk or Kate Lin. You might know where Lusa’s body is buried, but you weren’t the one to take her life. So, whatever it is that you are doing on this little excursion of yours, I’ll play along for now.”

Brook reached back with her left arm until she was able to hoist the backpack into a more comfortable position. She was almost certain she caught a flicker of defiance in his eyes, but it vanished so quickly that she could have been mistaken.

She was taking a chance by indulging him. Judge Colletti would almost certainly do the right thing by granting the warrant. Mitch Norona would be immediately dismissed as Jacob’s defense attorney, and the charges for Stella Bennett’s murder would have to be refiled, rendering this entire effort to find Lusa Kalluk’s remains pointless.

“I’m truly offended you believe I’m like the other killers you’ve hunted down throughout your career.” Jacob shook his head in disappointment, even covering his heart as if she had broken it. The effort he was putting into distracting her from the reason he needed to be in these woods was enough for her to acknowledge she had made the right decision. “Still, I enjoyed our conversation very much.”

The satellite radio that Russell had clipped to his backpack emitted a beep, immediately followed by Nathaniel’s voice. Brook grimaced internally at the poor timing of the upcoming notification. Nathaniel had held off as long as possible, and she had to give credit where credit was due. It was Brook’s curiosity about Jacob’s need to be in Alaska this month that would remain unsatisfied.

Most everyone’s attention was now on Russell, though Brook doubted Victor and Justin had taken their focus off their prisoner. Neither had she, and she intended to have the last word.She might never know Jacob’s reasoning, but he wouldn’t get to finish what he set out to do, either.

“Not as much as I’m about to enjoy the next five minutes, Jacob.”

13

Bobby “Bit” Nowacki

June 2025

Wednesday — 12:16 pm

Asolitary raven perched on the hood of a vehicle in the clearing. His glossy black feathers shimmered subtly, even though the sun had slipped behind a thick blanket of clouds. He seemed rather intent on his observation of the Kalluk family, who were all currently engaged in a muted conversation behind an SUV.

Bit shifted with unease as he studied the raven. It was as if the bird was delivering a message from the universe. He had engaged in enough role-playing games to know the many superstitions associated with ravens. One stood out the most—a raven appearing alone instead of in pairs was a message that someone would soon die or suffer a great loss.

Hadn’t the Kalluk family suffered enough?

“…let the others know. I’m driving back to the hotel now. I have agents heading to Norona’s residence and place of work in Baltimore to execute the warrants.”

“Copy.”

Special Agent Russell Houser’s voice was clear as it came through the satellite radio. Bit remained standing next to Nathaniel, predicting that Brook would want an update. There wasn’t anything new to report about the case, but Bit also wasn’t finished speaking with some of the key players involved in Lusa’s disappearance.

What worried him most was that he hadn’t heard from either Theo or Sylvie in quite a while.

“This is probably what Walsh wanted all along,” Nathaniel muttered in disgust as he reached into his jacket. He pulled out a set of keys. “Are you driving back to the hotel? I assume Brook wants you there when I conduct a search of Norona’s room.”

Judge Colletti had granted the warrants and subsequently removed Norona and his firm from the trial. While the law firm had already been informed, Nathanial was responsible for notifying Mitch of the situation due to their current circumstances.

The plea deal was off the table, and a mistrial had been declared.

The federal prosecutor was forced to start from scratch.

"Boss doesn’t think Jacob had us come out to Alaska or find out about his connection to Slick Mitch for the judge to declare a mistrial,” Bit said as he shifted his weight from side to side. Someone in the Kalluk group had brought coffee and hot chocolate, knowing they faced a long day ahead. He wouldn’t mind having something warm to drink right now, either. “I’ve never really known Boss to be wrong.”

Nathaniel followed Bit’s gaze to the others before he sighed in irritation.

“I need to ask the Kalluk family some more questions.” Bit pulled his phone from his jacket. Still no word from Theo or Sylvie. “I’ll meet you back at the hotel soon.”

“Look, what Brook said this morning made sense, but she’s not the one who has to deliver the news to the former governor. With this new information about Norona coming to light and Special Agent Kate Lin’s murder, I doubt I’ll extend another plea deal to Walsh,” Nathaniel said with frustration. “That means the Kalluk family won’t be able to bring their daughter’s remains home. I know Brook thought there would be enough time to see this through, but I had to end it.”

“Nathaniel, do you copy?”

Just as Bit suspected, Brook’s voice came through the radio.

“I’m here,” Nathaniel replied after lifting the radio and pressing the side button. “Bring everyone back, Brook. It’s over.”

“No, it isn’t. Jacob is aware that he no longer has representation, but he is still willing to show us where Lusa’s remains are buried.”

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