CHAPTER THIRTY
“It what?”
Frank Morty pulled his eyes off the online news feed and glanced at Ruby. Although she had said she wasn’t going to get involved in all this for the sake of their unborn child, she had refused to leave Salisbury until Jay had. Even now, she kept wanting updates, trying to keep herself in the loop without stepping outside the bounds of their home.
“The police station exploded last night,” Frank replied, glancing at the news bulletin again where an image of the Natchitoches police station was now no more than a smoldering wreck.
She tried hard to breathe evenly. Her dark eyes, once curiously empty, filled now with calculation she had learned growing up at Jayden Roe’s knee.
“Any casualties? Did the report say when it happened?”
Frank swallowed a sigh. He’d spent most of his high school years being forced to help Jay garner information. His work as a drug dealer meant he’d had to do Jay’s bidding or end up behind bars. Jay had vanished his criminal past as a parting gift and a thank you for Frank’s promise to watch over Ruby. Yet he was not free. He was still working Jay’s cases because, despite the pain and suffering, Ruby truly wanted her big brother back.
“It exploded just after midnight. So far, the ruins haven’t been deemed safe for entry so nothing on casualties yet. But that late at night, there wouldn’t have been anyone there, right?”
Ruby shook her head. “Don’t be so sure.”
His computer pinged as if it had heard her words with an updated news. Ruby came to stand behind him and swore. “Badly damaged remains of two individuals found,” she read. “Coroner has confirmed that dental records will be used to identify the remains.”
“Ruby,” Frank said, catching her wrist as she turned for the door. “We can’t go there. We have to stay out of it.”
She met his gaze and gave him a mischievous smile. “I’m not leaving our property, but Jay needs to know.”
“What makes you think he doesn’t already?”
“Because he is preoccupied.”
“Then what—”
“I think it is time you and I meet the tail he set on us, don’t you?”
Frank cursed again and hurried after Ruby as she darted outside. “Ru, wait, it isn’t wise to—”
“I know you can hear me, so listen up. Do you know that Elliot plays the harp?”
Frank bit back another curse and tensed, ready to throw Ruby behind him if this turned nasty. A slim woman, with dark skin and sharp eyes, emerged from the shadows at the end of their lawn and made her way slowly forward. Flecks of gold caught the sunlight as she swept her eyes over them both.
“You are as sharp as Jay gave you credit for, Ruby Wei,” the woman smiled, inclining her head. “How long have you known I have been watching you?”
“Four days,” Ruby said. “I had guessed Jay would send a tail. Do you have a name?”
The woman tinkled a laugh. “Keira. So, what do you need help with?”
“I want you to contact Jay. Tell him about the explosion in Natchitoches.”
Keira tilted her head to the side. “Sure.”
***
Jay stepped into the park and turned off the main path, following a route he had only ever seen from the sky. He rubbed his temples. Though he seemed to have slept soundly, his head continued pounding. He forced his mind to focus.
After a week of watching, he knew that Gary came here every day, following a habit he’d had back when they’d worked together. He always took two hours every day where he wanted to be alone. In the past, that had been at the end of the day. Now, it was at the beginning.
The birds were still filling the air with their morning song, and the park was mostly empty but for a few people jogging and walking their dogs. The two tails Jay had were currently following a homeless man, to whom Jay had given the overcoat he had thrown on.
“Lovely spot,” Jay said in greeting then quickly held up his hands. “Hang on. I didn’t come here to fight.”
Gary Peters stopped and turned a glare on Jay, his hazel brown eyes narrowed. “No? Then what the hell are you doing in Carthage?”
“Working.”
Gary flushed, and Jay bit his tongue, knowing he had to curb his natural urge to irritate. “I’m here because I don’t think you’d swap sides just to bring me down.”
He watched surprise and annoyance fight for space on Gary’s face before the man snarled. “Don’t act like you know me.”
Jay bit back a retort, keeping his tone level and polite. “Be that as it may, is my statement wrong?”
Gary shook his head, sandy hair catching the light. “What the hell do you want, Roe?”
“Your help.”
Gary eyed him for an infinite pause then started to laugh. Jay waited as patiently as he was able to. His research showed that Lloyd wasn’t expecting Gary until this afternoon and that Gary himself had made no plans.
“You, the great Jayden Roe, want help from a man you deemed inferior? What you want is a stooge. Some idiot to cover up whatever mess you’re in.”
Jay kept his smile hidden. “So you are here to catch the moment of my fall.”
Gary flushed then anger filled his eyes. He made to leave, but Jay barred his path, holding out the USB drive.
“I don’t know what you’ve been told, or why you believed them, but here’s everything I have found. Don’t take my word for it, go and look it up yourself. Just be careful. I am being watched. If they get wind that you’re switching sides, you could be in danger.”
Gary scowled. “I’ll be on whatever side you’re not. No coercion
