Page 5 of Not This Time

Rachel and Ethan headed out to the parking lot, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows as it sank towards the horizon. She slid into the driver's seat of the dusty sedan, fingers curling tightly around the wheel. Ethan folded his tall frame into the passenger seat, pulling the door closed with a metallic thunk.

"You ready for this?" Ethan asked, his voice low and sounding somewhat anxious, though she wasn't sure why. Rachel gave a curt nod, throwing the car into drive and peeling out onto the main road.

They drove in silence for a while, the rural landscape scrolling past outside. The Clark ranch was located deep in the backcountry, nearly two hours away, down increasingly narrow and winding roads. Rachel's mind turned over the details of the case, probing for connections as the setting sun splashed crimson across the sky ahead of them.

"You look nervous," she said quietly, glancing at Ethan.

The handsome, lanky man shifted in his seat, pretending he hadn't heard at first, glancing out the window.

But then he leaned back, rubbing a hand over his brow.

"What is it?"

He mumbled something.

"What was that?"

He looked at her. "I know Jeb Clark."

"Who?"

"The youngest son of Silas. Jedediah Clark. Goes by Jeb. Knew him for a year in school."

Rachel looked at Ethan now. "How long ago?"

"Almost fifteen years."

"Why didn't you say anything in there?"

"Cuz."

"Not a reason."

"Just because."

"Ethan?"

He sighed, and said softly, "We weren't exactly friends. He kissed a girl I was dating."

"So?"

"I kicked his ass."

"Really?"

"Nah. He kicked mine. Two of his brothers jumped me on the way back from school. The three of them pounded me into the ground. Broke my wrist." He was scowling now.

Rachel gripped the steering wheel, frowning. "In some parts, that might be a conflict of interest," she said.

He looked at her. "Yeah, but I know the Clarks."

"You said you didn't."

"Yeah, well, I lied. I know Jeb, at least. He's a mean sucker. If you're tangling with the Clarks, you need me with you."

Rachel considered this briefly, but sighed. She needed the backup, and if Ethan was as rooted in the area as it sounded, he would be an asset.

"Just keep the personal shit personal," she said.

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