“Nope. But I’m the guy who dragged your ass out of the woods.”
He gave a dry laugh. “Then I thank you.”
“Don’t. I don’t do rescues for free.”
That got his attention. He studied me a moment, then leaned forward. “What do you want?”
“Names. Why are you here? Who sent you?”
He looked away. “You will not stop them. Someone higher up approved the location. You should be looking into your government.”
I stood, walked around the table, and leaned close enough that he could smell the gunpowder still on my shirt. “Maybe not. But I can make sure they stop breathing first.”
His jaw flexed. “They are already here.”
“Who?”
He hesitated, and I saw the flicker of fear in his eyes before he masked it. “The man who owns Copper Ridge Mine. He works for them now.”
I frowned. “Copper Ridge? That mine’s been shut down for years.”
“Not anymore,” he whispered. “Tunnels. Hidden. Perfect for cooking.”
Julia’s voice came over the intercom, tight with shock. “Hawk, get out of there.”
I turned just as Diego’s body convulsed. Foam at the mouth. His eyes rolled back.
“Son of a—” I grabbed him, but it was too late. He was gone.
Julia burst into the room, gun drawn, scanning for threats. “What happened?”
“Cyanide capsule,” I said, grim. “Someone made sure he wouldn’t talk. They all have to carry a tablet, I suspect.”
She looked down at the body, then at me. “How did they know?”
“Because someone inside this town tipped them off.” I met her eyes. “You’ve got a leak, Julia.”
She swallowed hard. “And you think it’s someone from the Sheriff's office?”
“I think it’s someone close. Someone who knew exactly when we brought him in.”
For a moment, the only sound was the hum of the lights.
She turned toward me, her voice quiet. “If you’re right, then everyone in town is in danger.”
I stepped closer, brushing a stray lock of hair from her cheek before I even realized what I was doing. “That includes you.”
Her breath caught. “You should stop looking at me like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like I’m the only thing you want to protect.”
I let my hand fall and smiled faintly. “Maybe you are.”
Her eyes softened, just for a second, before she straightened and walked toward the door. “We’re not doing this, Hawk. Not now.”
“Then when?”
