Black bird a nevermore d.., p.50
Black Bird: A Nevermore Duet, page 50
Rhaena smiled like she was thoroughly impressed. “I’m not really seeing a problem here.” She laughed.
“I’m not saying there is one. It was just something I noticed about her. Sarah might have flinched for a second or two every once in a while, but the way she took me …” He blew out a breath. “It was like I could give her all I had, and she could still take more.”
“What are you saying, exactly?” Rhaena asked, now wholly invested in the conversation. Athan lost patience and snapped his head toward her.
“I’m saying I fucked her harder last night than I ever fucked you. What kind of human can endure that? What kind of human can endure that and continue to endure it for hours, until I insist that she stop for her own good?” Rhaena’s mouth dropped slightly open as if she finally realized what he was getting at.
“You think she’s—”
“I dunno. Like I said … it was something I noticed. I did bite her once, and she’s been different ever since. Either my feeding on her really did more than we initially thought, or …”
“Or maybe she’s not human?”
Athan rubbed a palm over his face. “That doesn’t seem likely to me. Other than a few strange things, here and there … everything about her seems human to me. And we already know her blood was different before I ever bit her. I guess the detective part of my brain just has this need to figure her out. Especially before I even think of considering giving her what she asked of me last night.”
“There has to be someone we can talk to that has some knowledge about this kind of shit.” Rhaena fanned herself.
“I need to get in touch with Tony at that club. I feel like he might at least have a couple of theories I could run with. Maybe I can run out tomorrow before you get too bad off and be back in time for us to prep the closet.” He started to raise his mug to his mouth.
“Yeah, about that … I need to tell you something, Kane.” His cup paused in front of his face, and he looked over at her. Rhaena loosed a deep sigh and ran a hand through her hair. “I spoke to Jenkins this morning. There’s an APB out for you and Sarah.”
“What?” He lowered the mug, gripping it hard enough to crack. “Why the fuck would Cap do that? I thought he was backing us on leaving town.”
“He didn’t do that. He’s working with Brandon to try and clear your names. That little twat from the crime scene orchestrated it. She’s apparently out to pin these murders on Sarah, and charge you with hiding her—which, if you ask me, I think is more to draw you out than actually book you with anything substantial.”
“That’s fucking ridiculous. It doesn’t even make sense. Why would Sarah stage a body to look like herself? She was accounted for at the time of the first murder and has a solid alibi. And I know exactly where she was when the second murder happened, too.”
“I think they know that. That’s probably why they also charged her with communicating a threat to a government official. They know it won’t hold.”
Athan could feel his temper boiling. He turned and stormed toward the kitchen, throwing the mug into the sink with enough force for it to shatter. Rhaena followed after him. “Fucking cunt!”
“Calm down! This is exactly why I didn’t wanna say anything this morning.” He paced around the kitchen fisting his hair and she followed him back through the kitchen doorway into the living room. The front door burst open, and Wren and Sarah came cackling through it, both of them stopping dead when they saw their faces.
“What’s wrong?” Sarah asked.
And that’s where they all currently found themselves. It felt like they’d never have a moment’s peace. Athan understood then, why Rhaena hadn’t told him this morning. He felt the same way right now … looking at the hopelessness on Sarah’s face. On Wren’s. How could he tell her that the one thing she’d always been so sick of, was now a public witch hunt?
“I was gonna wait … but you guys need to sit. We’ve gotta talk.” Rhaena gestured to the couch. Wren went and sat, but Sarah ignored her, stepping forward and slipping her arms around his waist. He didn’t think he’d ever get used to how it made him feel when she did it.
“Is it her?” Sarah asked, searching his eyes for some kind of answer. He pulled her against him.
“Not this time. Come sit.” Athan helped her out of her wet jacket and offered her and Wren a clean blanket from the hutch.
It was starting to seem like for every potential answer she got, a new problem arose. The snowball effect. And not the kind Sarah had just finished warring Wren with. Not the kind that brought any kind of joy. They listened to Rhaena explain what Jenkins had told her this morning, and Sarah kept her eyes on Athan, who braced one hand on the tiny mantle over the fireplace and poked life into the fire with the other.
“Okay, so I only see one logical answer to this problem,” Sarah said, shrugging. Athan looked over his shoulder at her. “I turn myself in.”
“Absolutely not. Fuck that.” Athan’s eyes glinted with rage.
“Look, you’ve said it yourself. It makes no sense to charge me with anything. I have alibis for both of these ‘murders’,” she quoted with her fingers, “and if I never said anything about actually hurting Conrad Stratford, who I’m confident is very much unhurt, then what other choice do they have than to let me fucking go?”
Athan turned himself around. “That’s just it, Sarah. I think this was just an easy way for them to get their hands on you. Nick Specter was the one who gave me that glass container with the rest of your mom’s ashes. He said you ended up on the government’s radar when you went searching for whatever virus killed her. The Feds probably just want to charge you with some shit so that they won’t have to come looking for you. You’ll end up coming straight into the lion’s den on your own. We can’t let you do that. I won’t let you do that.”
“Athan, I’m sick of running. I’m sick of the what ifs. I’m never gonna stop being hunted for whatever it is that I am, okay? If you come with me, let me turn myself in … we’ll explain away our charges and if that’s the real reason they’re after me, then telling them my reasons for wanting to know more about what happened to her shouldn’t be bad enough for them to be allowed to take me anywhere. Am I wrong?” Sarah glanced between him and Rhaena, who looked at each other in deep thought. “There’s no law that I’ve broken, and no rules against the study of possibly harmful viruses, as long as it pertains to protecting the public from such a thing. I don’t know how to do their job, but I sure as shit know how to do mine. If I did nothing wrong, or illegal … then I shouldn’t have anything to worry about, should I?”
“I think showing them the strong type could benefit you. That’s just my opinion,” Wren offered, crossing her arms in front of her. “I think it would at least let them all know that you’re not alone in this, for one, and that you also don’t plan on coming without being armed to the teeth with your legal rights.”
Rhaena quirked a brow. “You could get a lawyer.”
“Call Brent,” Wren agreed.
“I don’t think so.” Athan stepped forward.
“Look, he’s one of the best lawyers in Boston. He also knows Sarah well. And to be honest, what better person would you have to argue away the bullshit with his father than the son that hates him most? Plus, he can legally challenge whatever tricks they’ve got up their crooked sleeves and see it coming before they even attempt to use it on her. I don’t like the prick, either … and yes … he did her wrong. But in doing so, I’d say he also kind of owes it to her to make that right. And I think redemption is not only what he really wants, but what he needs.” Wren bit down on her lip.
“She’s right, Athan,” Rhaena agreed softly. “And her being in police custody would protect her from both Conrad and Dahlia’s crowd. At least, until we figure out how to handle that part.”
Sarah kept quiet and met his eyes. She could almost see them burning.
It’ll be okay. Come with me.
He let out a deep exhale that suggested he’d unknowingly been holding his breath.
I’d never leave you. I just don’t think you realize what you’re walking into, Sarah.
Her lips tugged up in the corner.
I’d walk into Hell as long as I was beside you, Athan Kane.
He softened and his shoulders slumped as the tension in them eased.
Goddammit … I love you.
“Am I missing something here?” Wren broke their concentration and wagged her finger between the two of them. Sarah huffed a laugh through her nose and shook her head.
“Rhaena, can you get Jenkins to figure out Brent’s cell number? I don’t have it memorized.” Sarah glanced back at Athan, who reluctantly nodded his approval.
“Alright,” Rhaena agreed, sliding the phone out of her pocket and texting her lover.
“Can Brent represent both of you?” Wren asked, leaning toward her.
“I think so.” Sarah shifted on the couch. “I don’t see why not. Though, asking him to defend Athan will probably be a huge test of his character.” She snorted.
“I don’t need him. I’ve got Foley. I’ve got the entire precinct.” Athan’s tone was almost cold.
“Brent might be a lot of things … but he is a brilliant lawyer. Ruthless, really. It’s about the only good thing I can say about him, anymore.” It wasn’t much to offer him, but Sarah hoped it would ease his mind … at least a little.
“My how the tables have turned.” Wren rolled her eyes, wringing her fingers in her lap.
Sarah peered over at her. It was becoming a bit more clear now that Wren’s feelings were rapidly changing where Brent was concerned, but she didn’t even know if Wren herself was aware of it. It made her curious to see how he’d react around Wren the next time they were in close proximity. “You’re hiding something.” Sarah poked her in the ribs. Wren looked up, eyes wide and shook her head.
“What are you talking about?”
“What happened? Don’t say nothing. I see it all over your face.” Sarah watched her eyebrows slack. Athan backed up to the fireplace and leaned on the mantle.
Wren breathed a sigh. “That day we left … when I saw him at the pub during lunch? He hauled off and punched a guy that accidentally spilled his beer on me.”
“Brent?!” Sarah’s mouth dropped open.
“It shocked me, too. I didn’t know he had it in him. But he’s definitely not himself. I kind of felt bad for the bastard.”
There it was. Evidence enough. Sarah tried to hide her knowing smirk. It would definitely prove interesting to see what fired up between those two. And oddly enough, she didn’t mind. She wasn’t gonna push it. If anything came of that, it would happen on its own.
I know what you’re thinking, and you better be wrong.
Sarah glanced up at Athan, who watched her through lowered brows with a hand in his pocket.
If I’m right, it wouldn’t be a terrible thing. He fucked up, Athan … but he’s not a bad person.
His jaw tightened and his mouth twitched.
Because … and only because … you see the good in me, I’ll let you have that. But Wren is too good for that guy. And his father is a fucking serpent.
Sarah leaned back into the couch.
True. But we’re doing what we can to give the little bitch what he deserves, right? If we bring him to justice, she’ll be safe. If he ever made her as happy as I feel right now … then they both deserve a go at it. Don’t they?
Wren pulled the blanket off of them and went to the kitchen to rummage through the fridge. Sarah raised her knee and eyed him closely while she trailed a hand up her inner thigh. His throat bobbed and he looked away, smirking.
Fuck you for that.
Sarah chuckled through her nose, covering herself with the blanket again when Rhaena came back in from the bedroom.
“Alright, I’ve got the number. Who’s gonna call him?”
Brent sat in the parking lot at EverLife’s campus, forgetting that they’d likely be closed for the holiday. He was walking a fine line between legally having Nick Specter pissing himself and beating the shit out of him. He still wasn’t sure where this tempered rage was coming from all of a sudden. He tried talking himself out of figuring out where the prick lived. If he’d listen to the rational voice in his head that told him to plan it out, and wait for the best opportunity to strike, then he could keep himself out of the trouble he earned his living battling for his clients. He considered going to the mansion. This might be the last Thanksgiving he could ever spend with his mother, though he wasn’t sure he could look at her knowing that he’d given away her only chance at survival. His phone rang and he looked down at it while it sat on the mount attached to his dashboard. An unknown number. He opened the call.
“Brent Stratford.”
“Stratford, this is Detective Kane.”
His skin prickled with nerves. “I’m assuming you’ve been warned about your face being all over the news? Where’s Sarah?”
“We’re aware. That’s why I’m calling. Sarah’s just fine. She can hear you.”
“Hey, Brent.”
Neither one of them sounded like they were especially concerned about being wanted for murder. “I know you didn’t do this, Sarah. And Kane, your captain came to my house this morning. What is it that you need me to do? I wanna help.”
“Brent, I need to hire you. Can you represent me if I turn myself in?” Sarah asked.
It only filled him with more anger. “Why the hell would you do something like that? You didn’t hurt anybody.”
“I know that. If we give up the chase, then I was hoping you could help convince them too. I’m not well-versed in legal shit. Running only makes me look guilty.”
“Kane?”
“I’m coming, too.”
“They’re charging you for harboring?”
“So, I’ve been told.”
Brent sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “If you two are really gonna do this, then—then Kane, I think it would look better and run smoother if you brought her in as the arresting officer.”
“Oooo, you get to arrest me,” Sarah snickered quietly.
“Yeah, I’m still here. Thanks.” Brent rolled his eyes.
“That’s a smart move, Stratford. I can do that. But while we’re on the subject of charges, how much would you be able to help argue against the government coming after her for research?”
Brent stared at the phone and scrunched his face. “Research?”
“Yeah, research I did at the lab regarding my mom. Can they do that to me?”
“If you didn’t try to illegally pry open classified documentation, then no. We’re all protected by the same constitution. It shouldn’t matter, as long as you didn’t break any laws. I don’t really have to know much about what they’re worried about you finding, I just have to argue that they’re infringing your rights. I’ll be able to get a better idea once we hear what they have to say.”
“So, you’ll help?” she sounded hopeful, but not desperate. Something in him warmed at the contentment in her voice. It was at that moment; he’d realized he let her go for good.
“Yeah, I’ll help. When are you planning to do this?”
“Monday morning.” It sounded like Kane had cut her off before she could answer. “Holiday weekends are crawling with cops. I don’t have my car to bring her in. We’ll hide out at my place Sunday night, and I’ll take her in Monday morning.”
“Won’t the cops be scoping your place?”
“Northwood said they already tossed my apartment. They’re not likely to go back. It’ll be the last place anyone would expect us to go.”
“That’s true. Keep in touch if you think of anything else. I’ll meet you both at the precinct on Monday.” Brent paused for a moment, wondering if he should ask, but the heaviness outweighed. “And Sarah?”
“Yeah?”
“I know this probably isn’t even fair to ask you … but do you still have the blood bag I gave you the night of the benefit?”
There was a long pause on the other end. “Why, Brent?” It was the first time she’d sounded irritated throughout the whole conversation.
“My dad showed up at my place this morning. He more or less threatened me in my own home. And that was after he slapped a restraining order against me. He wanted the bag back. Said my mother was going to die without it. Watch your backs. I don’t know what he could potentially do to get it from you. But I wanted to warn you about it.”
“So … are you warning me … asking me for it … or both?” A fair response.
“You know her, Sarah. My mom would never take a way out if someone out there had a better use for it. She’s ready to go. Just be careful… okay?”
“You’re a good lawyer, Brent. I hear you loud and clear. I’ll be careful.”
He smirked and nodded his head. “Alright.”
“Thank you, Stratford. I won’t forget this. We’ll see ya.”
“Yeah … see ya.”
Call ended.
CHAPTER 24
BLACK FRIDAY
The flag that was carefully folded into a triangle and taking its rest in a sleek mahogany box on the top of his floating shelf was slowly eating away at the nerves that remained in Malcolm Foley’s overtired body. His broad hands folded over his mouth as he sat, lost in memories he wished he could forget, in his office at the 12th. Small beads of sweat became a little bigger across his dark skin and his brown eyes peered over at what was left of the partner that should have still been alive … would be alive … if he’d been a better cop. Sixteen years, today. Lindsey Trainor’s daughter had graduated high school this past spring. And she couldn’t be there to witness it. Foley had watched the pride as well as the pain flash over the face of her widowed husband when that young girl walked across the stage—as he stood hidden in the back of the graduation ceremony, hoping he wouldn’t be seen.
