Declan scowls as Reynolds returns with her laptop and sits down. “Ok,” she says, looking up from her screen. “Send me the maps.”
“First, ground rules,” Declan says. “You promise you won’t strike out on your own, even with your female friends.”
“If you promise not to go without me, I’ll promise not to go without you guys.”
“Nice try,” Shane scoffs with a small smile. “Here’s the thing, Cami. One of us—” He points at himself. “May end up having to do something you can’t be around to witness.”
Reynolds studies Shane for a moment. “I understand, but I want to be involved in uncovering Casanova’s identity. After that, if there’s something I shouldn’t see, I’ll cover my eyes.” She inclines her head earnestly. “And when I tell the story, I’ll just say I didn’t see what happened. Which will be true.”
Shane and Declan exchange looks. There is no way I would let her anywhere near the kill zone. Shane won’t either. Heyworth, though, is treading lightly because he doesn’t want to risk losing her again. Which he needs to overcome. Reynolds almost died once already this month. This isn’t a game.
“Camrynn and I will talk more offline,” Declan says. “Let’s merge the maps.”
“Declan, there’s something else I know. Let’s decide if it’s okay to share.” She stands and waves for him to come out to the hall.
Once they’re gone, I pull her computer in front of me. “Send me a current city map, Shane. I’ll merge them.”
After logging into my email and the graphic design software, I overlay a partially transparent version of the old map over the modern one Shane finds. I save the new image and email it to myself. Then I forward the fused map to Shane and Declan. Once that’s accomplished, I delete the image from Cami’s computer and empty the trash.
“She can’t be with us when we search,” I say in a low voice. “Killing Casanova is a higher priority than writing about him.”
Shane nods with a grim expression. “Agreed.”
I remove my phone from my pocket to check the text message someone sent earlier. Patience isn’t something Arya’s mastered, so it’s not a good idea to ignore her if she’s decided she’s ready to go.
The text is actually from Eden Buchanan, who never texts me. I’m curious, but Heyworth and Reynolds choose that moment to return.
Declan’s mouth forms a bitter line. “My aunt claimed she knew who Casanova was and that Camrynn was on his list of future targets.”
My brows rise. “So what’s his name?”
“Aunt Lizzie didn’t say.” Declan shrugs, with a dark expression. “But if she was telling the truth, it could be that she and Brock both knew who Casanova is. Brock might have confronted Casanova or even stumbled onto something Casanova didn’t want him to see. It might be why he was killed.”
My thumb slides over my phone’s screen as I send a text to Declan and Shane.
Erik: If true, that narrows the suspect list. Casanova will be someone they went to school with or someone they interact with at campus events. Put list together & let’s run through it. Reynolds should not be involved.
Erik: I’ll start searching for entry points tomorrow using fused map.
While I’m waiting for them to read and respond, I open the text from Eden. At first glance, I think the attached image is of the pre-Celtic triple spiral symbol. The triskele is the oldest symbol of spirituality. It’s carved into monolithic rocks in Ireland.
Upon closer inspection, I realize she’s sent the modern Triskelion symbol. The one with dots that I’ve seen on jewelry, t-shirts, key chains, and tattoos. The one that’s a BDSM symbol.
Eden: The best parties in New England are at the Mq club. Arya was supposed to go to one but bailed.
My eyes narrow. “Mq” might stand for Marquis. Members of the exclusive club keep it a closely guarded secret. I heard about it while working as a bouncer at a sex club, back before I figured out how to make a lot more money.
Eden: Someone should know. I think she wants it to be you.
My brow rises as I stare at the screen. Now that’s interesting. Arya’s best friend thinks Arya would want me to know about an aborted trip to a sex club? The idea of having an inside track into Arya’s fantasies appeals to me, but I’m skeptical Eden knows what she’s talking about. I’m probably the last man Arya wants knowing her sex club secrets. Her trust in me is zero.
My thumb rubs the side of my neck, wishing it was her skin instead. I don’t regret kicking Luis Sosa’s ass. He had it coming. But the fact that it killed my chance to fuck her did piss me off.
I pocket my phone and stand. “I’ve gotta take off. Reynolds, I appreciate the information you shared. Let’s go to Isobel Long’s funeral together.”
Her brows shoot up. “Sure, but you’re done here now? We have the maps to do—”
“I combined them. Declan’s got a copy. We’ll talk later.”
