Page 76 of Depraved Truths

“That’s yet to be determined. Take a seat on the couch with your friend.”

“You can take your gun off us. I’m not going to do anything.”

The agent eyes me suspiciously before lowering the gun. “We have some things to talk about.”

“Okay.” I side-eye Bryce, trying to glean anything I can from him.

Eli and Gabriel should be back any moment now and Bryce’s phone is on the end table to the right. I discreetly try to inch my hand toward it. If I could warn them, we could keep them out of whatever this is, but I have to find a way to distract him.

“Did he show you his badge?” Bryce shakes his head. “How can we be sure he’s really a fed?” I ask Bryce.

The man raises an eyebrow before flashing his badge at me.

Fuck.He’s actually who he says he is. I take a deep breath, thinking of a way to get us out of this. But first, I need to know what he knows.

“What do you want to kn—” I break off as I hear the suite door opening. My stomach drops, dread creeping up and tightening inside me. The guys are joking about something, and Eli carries a fast-food bag in his hand.

Seeing us, he pauses and sets the bag on a side table. “Jonah?” His eyes widen with recognition, and a broad smile spreads across his face. Eli walks toward the agent and wraps him in a bear hug.

I’m pretty sure my jaw is touching the floor. What’s happening right now? Am I in an episode ofBlack Mirror? Bryce is also eyeing Gabriel and Eli in confusion.

“Elijah, man, it’s been too long,” The agent says, returning the embrace wholeheartedly.

“Elijah.” My voice is tight with tension. “What’s going on?”

“This is Jonah Miles. My old Navy buddy.” Eli gestures toward me, before turning to the man who apparently is his ‘friend’. “Jonah, this is Tess.”

“Did you know he was coming?” I grit out as my eyes narrow.

“Yeah, I called him.”

“I didn’t realize he’d get here this quickly, though,” Eli adds, looking at me apologetically.

“You knew who I was? And you still put on that show?” I growl.

Jonah shrugs, unfazed by my anger. Which pisses me off more.

“I’m sorry I sprung this on you, Tess, but hear him out,” Eli says, reaching for my hand and squeezing it tightly.

Jonah follows the movement, looking back at me with renewed interest, something unreadable in his eyes.

“My unit was called in after the murder of Wilson Randall. We have reason to believe Dalton Jones is responsible, as he’s disappeared after your cousin’s attack.”

“And you think he came here? To Atlanta?” I ask.

“Not exactly. This is just one of several locations we’re looking into. To be honest, I need your help. I know you’ve all been investigating this, and from what Eli shared with me, you found evidence at Dalton’s that ties in with a case I’ve been working on for the last couple of years.”

“What case is that?” My heart is racing, my hands feel tingly, and my face is surely draining of color. I try to slow my breathing and keep my expression neutral.

“Most of this is classified, but since I’m in the room with all of you involved in nefarious activity, I assume I can trust your silence. If not for me, then for Eli.” Jonah takes a breath. “We’ve been working on locating the missing girls, and most recently, I’ve reopened Paisley’s case.”

Surprise furrows my brow, and I look at Jonah with renewed interest. “The case has been reopened?”

He nods his head in response, his eyes lingering for a moment on each of us. “Yes. I don’t know why any of you are here or what you’re doing, but I need to see those photos and the zip drive.”

“Bryce, show him what you have,” I respond.

“Sure thing.” He releases a breath I know he’s been holding, starting to look more like himself.

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