Page 6 of Echoes of Sin

The exterior of Wyn’s Tavern was unremarkable, much like the other storefronts. A faded wooden sign with chipped lettering hung above the door with rusted chains. The entrance was sturdy, made from dark-stained wood. The brass handle was worn from years of use, and the creaky hinges announced the arrival of every patron.

Needless to say, the same clientele had gone quiet the moment that Brook and Sylvie had entered the establishment. Each and every one of them listened to Erica as she spoke to the owner on the firm’s behalf about needing a place to stay while conducting their investigation. Considering that Erica wasn’t a local, Brook had been impressed with the way she’d handled the situation.

In under five minutes, Wyn had handed them four sets of keys.

As Brook made her way down the staircase at the back of the bar, she took time to study the old, framed photographs hanging on the wall. Some were of hikers, others were of hunters, but she figured every single picture featured a resident of Moonshine Valley. Theo had asked her earlier if the unsub could be a local, and she hadn’t been able to answer him. She still couldn’t, but she also hadn’t had time to work on a profile.

Brook didn’t lower her gaze as the low hum of conversations at the various tables and booths once again became random whispers of curiosity. The lower level had a different odor than the greasy scent that permeated the upstairs. She breathed in deep, picking up a distinct hint of moonshine, not that such a fragrance was surprising given the name of the town.

The bar itself was long and wooden, with matching stools that lined the length of it. The dim lighting that hung above the thick countertop had been made from old-fashioned lanterns that cast a warm, amber glow over the worn surface. She glanced at the bartender, who just so happened to be the owner himself—Wyn Becket.

Apparently, Wyn was the fifth generation to carry that name. He was a burly man with black hair and a thick beard. She doubted it had been trimmed in years.

It was clear that Wyn expected her to make a couple of complaints, but Brook wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Granted, the rooms were simple, with just a bed and a dresser. It turned out that the fifth door led to a shared bathroom, which would make their stay rather interesting, but they’d been given a roof over their heads. Considering what she’d seen at today’s crime scene, she wouldn’t complain about a hard mattress, itchy sheets, and low water pressure.

“You must be Riggs.” Brook held out her arm as she reached her destination, not surprised when the man pushed back his chair to stand and shake her hand. “Thank you for today. I know that it was your scheduled day off, but we truly appreciated you taking the time to help us.”

Riggs merely nodded, obviously a man of few words.

She noticed right away that he had calloused hands and a strong grip. He was rather rugged, broad in the shoulders, and carried his service weapon on his left side. While he might have greeted her with his right hand, he was naturally left-handed. His jacket had been swung across the back of his chair, and his flannel shirt was probably more for comfort than fashion.

Brook pulled out a seat, indicating that she’d like to join him for a moment. Theo had come upstairs after the group had returned from the crime scene, but then he’d joined Bit to bring in their equipment from the tech van that had been driven from D.C. The modified 2022 Mercedes Sprinter van had been outfitted with a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree HD day/night nine camera video surveillance that came in handy on their previous case.

This one?

Not so much.

“Theo said that you were a wealth of information, and I was hoping that you might want to continue helping us out while we’re here,” Brook said, getting straight to the point. “I’ve asked Park Ranger Erica Ashton to be our liaison with her agency, and I’m sure that Theo has filled you in on our consulting agreement with the Bureau.”

“I know who you are, Ms. Sloane.”

Brook had gotten very good at hiding her reactions over the years, and now was no different. Riggs seemed to be testing her, and she wasn’t sure of the reason. She trusted Theo when it came to character references, and he believed that Riggs would be more beneficial involved with their case than not. While she did have the final say, she would do her best to remain civil.

“Would you like to be part of the investigation, Mr. Kendric?” If the man wanted to be formal, she would be more than happy to oblige him. “I can contact your superior should your schedule be an issue.”

Riggs had been enjoying his dinner, and he hadn’t let her question stop him. He took another bite of his greasy cheeseburger before using his napkin to wipe his mouth. He wasn’t cleanshaven, but he also didn’t resemble Wyn’s shaggy appearance. Riggs sported a five o-clock shadow that was a bit thicker than most. He never took his dark gaze off her as he lowered his napkin.

“No need.” Riggs proceeded to pick up a steak fry. “You answer me one question, and I’ll help you any way that I can.”

The other patrons had somewhat gone back to their own conversations, but she could sense the weight of their curiosity. It wasn’t that they were being unfriendly. She came from a small town herself, and outsiders were looked upon with reserve until something changed their minds—usually a small-town connection.

Riggs could be that specific link for her and the team.

Brook reminded herself of that detail as she forced herself to remain relaxed in her chair. She maintained direct eye contact with Riggs, even when the front door opened to reveal Theo and Bit carrying in the firm’s portable 4K monitor that would serve as their murder board through software programmed by his very own hands. Their presence was a reminder that she preferred to surround herself with a tight-knit group.

Trust didn’t come easy for her.

Hell, she didn’t even trust herself, but she’d gradually learned over time that there were layers of such an emotion. Her team had earned a few layers, but the man sitting in front of her wasn’t even on the spectrum.

“I don’t make a habit of negotiating with those I choose to work with, Mr. Kendric. I’m not inclined to do so now.”

“Not even for the benefit of the investigation?” Riggs asked with open curiosity as he tossed his napkin on his plate.

Once again, she didn’t get the sense that he was judging her. The problem was that she wasn’t sure what he thought he would gain from this exchange. She’d asked a straightforward question. If he had a problem with who she was, then there shouldn’t be some kind of test.

“My colleague has a list of seven other people who know these mountains like the back of their hands, Mr. Kendric. That young man right there?” Brook nodded toward Bit, but the moment didn’t technically showcase his better abilities. He was shouting the wordpivotas he laughed at the difficulty that he and Theo were having in carrying the heavy screen. “If all seven of those men and women have a problem working with me, Bit can find me someone who can. My decision to answer or not won’t hinder this investigation.”

“Fair enough.” Riggs reached behind him for his jacket. “Shall we? It looks like your colleagues might need a hand.”

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