Page 68 of Into the Fire

Three minutes later, the voice returned. “It took you a while to respond. Don’t make that a habit.”

“Who is this?”

“My identity doesn’t matter. All that matters is how you can help me.”

“Why should I do that?”

“I have information the authorities would find interesting.”

“Like what?”

Seconds later, his phone pinged.

“I texted you a photo. Take a look. I’ll wait.”

Dread pooling in his gut, he clicked on the image.

He recognized himself instantly in the shadowy figure putting roofing nails on Bri’s driveway.

But most people wouldn’t be able to discern much. The image was on the dark side, and his features were murky. Maybe the cops could enhance it, identify him from this. Maybe not.

His predicament might not be as bad as he’d thought.

Pulse moderating, he put the phone back to his ear. “I’m not impressed.”

“There’s video to go with it that shows your face much more clearly, along with the license plate of your rental car—and your name on the rental agreement. I could post it on YouTube if you want to see it. Plus the one of you working on that tree at Bri’s house.”

His heart missed a beat. Raced on.

“No.” The last thing he needed was an incriminating video splashed all over the internet for the world to see. That wouldn’t help his situation back in Idaho. “What do you want?”

“A small favor. No more than a continuation of what you’re already doing to your former colleague.”

Someone else had it in for the woman who’d messed up his life?

He wrapped the fingers of his free hand around the steering wheel. “What’s your beef with Bri?”

“Not important. All you have to do is follow my instructions. I have two potential assignments for you. The first one has to be completed by three o’clock Sunday afternoon. I don’t care when or where you do it, as long as it’s finished by the deadline. If you want an idea, though, she likes to walk in the park near her house early on Sunday morning. I assume you have a gun?”

Sweat broke out on his upper lip again, and he rolled his window up tight. Lowered his volume. “What if I don’t?”

“Get one. But I’d be willing to bet a man with your background is never far from his gun.”

What did this person know about his background?

This was getting worse and worse.

“I’m not shooting Bri.” Mayhem was one thing. Murder was another.

“That’s not part of this weekend’s assignment. I just want you to take a shot at her. Come close, but miss.”

A few yards away, a woman struggled to pull a shopping cart free from the nested line waiting to be trundled back inside, but it was stuck tight. “What are you trying to do, scare her or something?”

“Or something.” A touch of amusement colored his blackmailer’s inflection.

“It’s too dangerous. I could get caught.”

“Make certain you don’t. And don’t disappoint me, Travis. You won’t like the repercussions. One more thing. Don’t leave town until you hear from me.”

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