Page 76 of Nemesis

“What are you doing? How did you get this number?”

“Quick question,” I say. “Did you have another burner phone?”

Reese doesn’t reply, which essentially confirms it.

Who would he have called? And not once, but twice? It’s a shame the logs were blacked out… it would’ve saved a lot of this trouble.

I drag Apollo’s bike farther off the path and leave it in the trees. Once I’m sure it’s out of sight, I head around toward where Nathan is now climbing out of his vehicle. He walks to the fence and braces his arms on the top rail.

Waiting.

I check the time on my phone. It’s 5:49 p.m., which means we’re essentially going to be waiting for eleven minutes. Or longer. Bad guys are never on time—and the sheriff being early isn’t a shock either. He’s still got a cop’s brain, which means getting the lay of the land. Surveillance. No surprises.

“What are you doing, Artemis?” His voice comes through my helmet.

“I’m digging into the mystery of Reese Avery.”

I’m funny, because that’s exactly who I’m talking to.

“I—”

“Save it, Reese.” I shake my head. “Who did you call?”

“I—”

“Reese.”

Another car is coming.

“Goddamn it,” he mutters. “My mother.”

I flinch.

“And what’s up with Kade?” I peek out to see the newest vehicle.

“He and I were…”

If I were with him, I think he’d shrug at me. But now, he just trails off like he doesn’t know how to classify what he and Kade were.

“Lovers?” I ask.

He chokes. “God, no. Kade might not care about what his partner has between their legs, but I like women. I’m only attracted to women.”

Interesting. Another detail filed away for later.

“And why does he want to find you so badly? Have you been leaving him clues?”

The new vehicle is blacked out, the windows tinted so strongly I can’t see the driver. But I recognize it, nonetheless. After all—I was in it not too long ago.

I press my lips together, suddenly sick.

Kade climbs out, and the sheriff meets him halfway. I flip my visor up in an attempt to hear them better.

“Artemis…” Reese’s voice is low in my ear. “Don’t.”

“You’re running from someone,” I whisper. “Is it Kade?”

The sheriff holds something out to him. The papers.

---