Page 26 of Raven's Nest
“That can all change in a heartbeat. The right trigger, at the right time.” Chase sighed. “Just, don’t push it. It sounds as if the Coast Guard had all the facts they cared about to close the case.”
“It’s not closed for me.”
Zain raked his hand through his hair. “We have connections. We could make a few calls — get you whatever intel the Coast Guard might have withheld, if it’ll help.”
She attempted a smile but failed. “Thanks, I might take you up on that.”
Which was code for them letting the issue go before she had another episode.
“Just say the word.” He met her gaze, judging if he could ask one more question. “Before we drop this, there’s just one more thing. When we found that body, you looked as if you’d seen a ghost. Do those snippets include flashes of anything like that?”
Her demeanor changed instantly, and she looked as if she wanted to claw her way out of her own skin before she closed her eyes, her breathing near frantic, again.
Zain reached out and pulled her against his chest. “Breathe, sweetheart. Forget I asked.”
She shook her head, pushing away before stumbling back until she’d braced her ass against the wall. “I…” She took a few more breaths, only slightly less panicked than before. “You already think I’m crazy. I don’t need to confirm those thoughts.”
Zain frowned, reclaiming the lost distance. “I don’t think you’re crazy. I think something apocalyptic happened on that ship, and the only coping strategy your brain has in order to maintain any semblance of normalcy is to keep it from you. Nothing you say will change that.”
A few tears glistened in her eyes, and she swiped at her cheek after a couple broke free. “I thought he looked… familiar.”
“A co-worker?”
She pursed her lips, looking past him at his teammates for a moment. “One of the scientists who was stationed…”
Her voice trailed off, a few more tears slipping free.
Zain cursed under his breath. He shouldn’t have pushed it, but it was too late to uncross that line, now. “He looked like someone from theVigilant.”
She glanced around the room, again, then nodded. “I know it’s not possible, that everyone else died, but…”
“Hey, it’s not impossible. And we can definitely do some digging. Do you remember his name?”
“I was only on the ship for about a week before…” She waved her hand between them. “I knew the officers. The research personnel were on a need-to-know basis, and I, apparently, didn’t need-to-know.”
Foster stood and moved to the other side of the coffee table. “Wait. You weren’t part of the actual crew?”
Saylor shook her head. “I was security for Rear Admiral Brad Maddox. He was performing a routine inspection as well as some kind of audit on the mission. We were only going to be on the ship for two weeks.”
“Shit.” Foster scrubbed a hand down his face, glancing at Mac then back to Saylor. “But this dead guy looked like one of the researchers.”
“Actually, he kinda morphed into the captain’s face for a moment but yeah.” Saylor groaned as her head tilted back. “See? Crazy.”
Zain slipped her hand into his, waiting until she looked at him. “Then, it’s a good job we spent twenty years dealing in crazy. We’ll get photos of everyone assigned to theVigilant. Either he’ll be there, or he won’t, but at least you’ll know.”
“He was part of the top-secret mission. His photo isn’t on any list, and I promise you, I spent an obnoxious amount of time trying to dig up anything about that ship and the classified research. But it’s all been buried or burned.”
Chase held up his cell. “I’ll call Bodie. Get him to work his magic. If that doesn’t pan out, we have other options, but we’ll start in-house. See how far we get.”
Her shoulders drooped, and she nodded, looking more than a bit lost. “Thanks.” She focused on Zain. “It’s late, and I know I said I’d stay, it’s just…”
Zain’s heart skipped, but he managed a smile. “I’ll drive you home.”
She nodded, gave Mac a hug, then headed for the door. “Thanks for dinner, and for everything back on the ship. Things likely would have turned out much worse if you guys hadn’t shown up.”
Foster scoffed. “Please, you would have tossed Atticus in your Zodiac and outrun everyone. We’re lucky you were there to run interference.” He waved at Zain. “And that Zain hasn’t lost his touch.”
Zain rolled his eyes. “Glad I’m an afterthought, jackass.”
