Page 196 of Ashes of Sin and Stardust

Oh. Oh hold on.

“There it is,” Lindsay grinned. “I knew you’d get there eventually.”

Michael Lewis and Agent Smith Smithweren’t bad guys. They were wanted by the government because they rescued trafficking victims.

“That’s why Cole Stewart wanted you dead,” I whispered. I knew Stewart had been involved in the coverup of the fiasco known only as “the body farm,” but it was classified, and I didn’t know anything about it, other than he was definitely involved in some shady shit.

“That’s why Cole Stewart was willing to give up Alex Victor to have me killed,” she clarified.

I remembered Alex’s assignment now. She had been trying to get out of the CIA, and Stewart had told her that if she killed Agent Smith Smith, he’d never call her again. Alex had claimed she’d never been able to locate the mysterious agent.

That was probably a lie. Alex was probably working with Lindsay to feed her information under the CIA’s nose, and she’d sacrificed her get-out card for Lindsay’s cause. Because that was exactly the kind of shit Alex would do.

“Damn she’s fast once she gets all the puzzle pieces,” Lindsay laughed.

I met her eyes and actually looked at her for the first time, and I felt that weird absorption that I’d felt that one time Alex pulled me into her headspace.

“You’re clairvoyant.”

Michael laughed. “Holy shit. That’s a new record. I’m writing that down.”

“First time anyone’s ever called that without me having to explain it,” Lindsay muttered, looking disgruntled. “But I guess it makes sense if you know Alex.

“Okay last thing for now, I promise. I’ve submitted a restraining order on good ol’ Woody for you. The police know the situation, and he’s under investigation for another assault that happened after you left.”

“Reuben’s girl?”

“Yeah. But he has a few buddies in the force, and he’ll probably get off. I was actually going to ask you if you want us to kill him.” She had a hopeful look on her face.

I smiled awkwardly and looked between them. Michael’s lips lifted into a subtle smile. I laughed a little and he did too, and then she joined in, and then we sipped our drinks and I waited for them to tell me they were kidding.

They waited with anxious expressions, and I realized they weren’t joking.

“Uh, no. I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Nobody would ever find out,” Michael said softly.

“Just like nobody ever found out about Beth Fredericksburg? Or all the other girls you killed?”

“I was an amateur back then.” He swirled his drink and took another sip.

“No. No murder, please.” I didn’t want Reuben or myself getting in trouble for anything so severe.

Lindsay sighed, dejected. “Can I at least beat him up a little?” She was acting like a little kid who wanted ice cream.

“I wish you hadn’t asked me. If you get caught, now I know about your intent.”

“God I love the way you think.” She put her elbow up on the coffee table and rested her face in her hand, smiling with a crooked smile. “Alright fine, I’ll keep my hands clean of this one... for now. But if you ever change your mind, you just let me know, and I’ll take care of him for you.”

“Sure, great. Thanks. Will do.” I grabbed the glass and drank my shot in one gulp, coughing and sputtering at the taste. It wasn’t as bad as that rye, but it was still gross.

Lindsay nodded, took a swig of her beer, closed the folder, and slid it across the table to me. Then she climbed up onto the couch, setting her feet on the coffee table. She hadn’t taken her shoes off, and she wore a pair of black leather boots that hugged her thick calves and went all the way up to her knees, decorated with chains and metal spikes. “Cool. So... wanna order wings, or something?”

Lindsay and Michaelhung around for a few hours. At first I wasn’t sure what they were waiting for, but eventually Lindsay confessed that Michael wanted to talk to Reuben about something, but didn’t want to do it in front of everyone at the house. She made herself at home, ordering wings and mozzarella sticks and helping herself to Reuben’s supply of alcohol. I tried to text him and let him know she was here, but Lindsay had grabbed my phone right out of my hands.

“No, don’t. He’s stressed enough. Don’t make it worse.”

“He deserves to know that you’re here! Plus, he isn’t getting back ‘till after midnight.” It was only nine o’clock.

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