Page 55 of Raven's Nest
Greer stepped out, glancing over to them. “Buck’s never been violent, but I think it’d be best if you two stayed behind me until I’ve got him down on our level.”
She turned, scanning the surroundings as she checked the other side of the RV, then proceeded to the door. “Mr. Landry, it’s Sheriff Hudson.”
Greer’s voice echoed through the trees, a bunch of spiny branches creaking in the wind. The rain had passed, but another strong squall was already inbound, promising a night reminiscent of the storms from a year ago.
Greer glanced back at them, nodding to Zain, before rapping on the door. “Damn it, Bucky, you called me. Either get your ass out here, or so help me God, I’ll come in. And I don’t think you want that considering the mood I’m in.”
The RV shook slightly, creaking and groaning beforethe blinds covering the door’s window slivered open. “Who’s the Spook?”
“You know that’s Zain Everett, and you know he’s not with the CIA. Now, are we talking, or am I arresting your ass, so we can have this conversation down at the station?” She leaned in closer. “With you behind bars.”
The blinds slid back into place before the door creaked open, and Buck moved onto the top step leading into his vehicle. “I said to bring Saylor, not her boyfriend.” He pointed a trembling finger at Zain. “He’s one of them.”
“If bythemyou mean one of the good guys, then yes. Now, what’s this about you knowing who blew up Saylor’s place last night?”
He glanced at Saylor, chewing on his bottom lip as he crossed his arms over his chest, snugging them in tight. “I… I… It wasn’t me.”
Greer released a heavy breath. “No one said it was.”
“But you’re gonna think that, and I need you to know, it wasn’t me. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Maybe we should take this inside…”
“Only if you promise to give me immunity.”
Greer copied his stance, still appearing more than a bit intimidating. “I don’t make blanket promises. If you’ve committed a crime, I’ll deal with it on a case-by-case basis. Which starts with you talking.”
Buck scanned his surroundings, staring down the road for a while before nodding. “Fine, but remember, I didn’t do it.”
He backed in, giving Greer enough room to climb the three steps to the door. Zain ushered Saylor forward,one hand poised on the small of her back, the other within reach of his Sig. He checked their six, scouring the woods as if he expected another squad to burst out from between the trees, automatic rifles spraying the clearing with bullets.
He stopped her once they reached the stairs. “I realize this guy is probably benign but stay close.”
She tiptoed up and gave him a quick peck. “The RV’s only a few feet across. I couldn’t get out of reach if I tried.”
He snorted as she climbed the steps, waving away the blast of stale air, a mix of old pizza and bad decisions. A dingy light burned overhead, reflecting off the sheets of aluminum covering the windows.
Saylor moved inside enough Zain could shuffle in behind her when she stopped. Cold. Her hand rising to her mouth, a rash of goosebumps erupting along her skin. A dull roar sounded in her head as the room descended into an eerie silence, nothing sounding above the hushed whirl of a ceiling fan.
Until Zain pushed past her, his measured strides echoing through the space. He fisted Buck’s shirt, turned, and slammed the man against the wall. The RV shook, a few of the pinned pictures fluttering to the floor before Zain leaned in close. “You’ve got five seconds to explain before there won’t be much left for Greer to send to the ME.”
Buck gasped, eyes wide, one hand grabbing on to Zain’s wrists. “It’s not what you think. I swear.”
“Then, you’d better have one damn good reason whyyou have a wall full of photos of Saylor, or I’ll keep my promise.”
Buck collapsed against the wall, glancing over at Greer. “I told you. It wasn’t me. I didn’t hurt anyone.”
Greer studied the photos before finally shifting her gaze to Buck. “You’ve got five minutes. You’d better impress me, because all I see is proof that you’re behind everything.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Insanity.
No other way to describe the scene. The way Buck Landry eyed Zain, breath wheezing through his chest, skin sickly white. Buck kept chewing on his thumbnail as his gaze darted between the three of them, always drifting back to the far wall.
Zain had never seen anything like it. Photos. Dates. Maps. Red yarn connecting the images like some grotesque spiderweb. Scribbled notes marked out a timeline of events, the kind of obsession he’d expect from a much darker motivation.
Buck shuffled closer to Greer, keeping half his focus on Zain. “I swear, this isn’t what it looks like.”
