Noah nods. “You want a team to go with you?”
“That would probably be wise, but no. According to Parker, no one even knows where he lives. Plus, I think this meeting with Peyton Radd gave us a few more days.”
“Nova, I have to say I don’t think it’s wise.”
“I know it’s not!” I snap. “But I need to talk to Owen. Alone. And I don’t think he’ll say anything with anyone around. Trust me.”
Noah nods. “You’re bringing weapons at least?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Let’s get him to the car,” he says, coming over to help me lift Owen out of the chair.
“We bring him out the back way. I don’t want anyone spotting him.”
Noah nods, and we drag Owen down the back steps and out into a back alley. The car is waiting, and Noah helps me strap Owen into the passenger seat.
As promised, Parker typed in Owen’s address.
“Be careful, Nova. Call me if you need help. We won’t be far.” Noah’s voice is soft and filled with concern.
I nod, trying to hold back the moisture gathering in my eyes. I look over at Owen’s motionless form.
“He’ll be fine,” Noah reassures me.
“I know, but it’s all my fault.” I let my head fall onto the steering wheel.
Noah puts a hand on my back. “None of this is. Though I don’t know much, it seems to me that Owen got himself in this mess, and it’s only because of you that he’s still alive.”
I pull my head up and stare into Noah’s dark brown eyes. “Why does this have to be such a mess? And why does it feel like it’s something I cannot fix?”
“If there’s one thing I know about you, it’s that you can fix almost anything. I’ve never met a smarter, more determined, and fiercer woman. So many people would follow you to the ends of the Earth. I hope you know that. You’re not alone in any of this, and I’ll still be here to help you pick up the pieces if everything falls apart.”
“You’re actually a decent guy, you know that?”
Noah chuckles. “Don’t tell anyone. That’d ruin my reputation.”
I give him a soft smile. “Thank you. I’ll keep you updated.”
Noah steps away from the window and pats the top of the car. “Drive safe, and take care of him. And yourself.”
“I will.”
With that, I pull out of the alley and onto Main Street, heading north toward the Golden Gate Bridge.
My phone buzzes, and Gray’s voice comes through the line. “Traced him to a hotel downtown. Near Regenerative Industries.”
“Okay, thanks. Will you station someone there to watch him?”
“Already have.”
“You’re a lifesaver. Go home and get some rest. I’ll call you in the morning.”
“Will do. Did you find any evidence?”
I glance at the bag on the floor, the one with all Peyton’s weapons, and think of the poison darts. I’d have to test them to determine if the poison matches the autopsies, but it’s a lead, however small.
“I have something. Whether it turns out to match what we’re looking for, I have no idea. I’ll send it to the lab first thing in the morning.”
