“It doesn’t say. Probably a family member or close associate.”
The sparse information combined with her sudden absence has my skin crawling. The timing is too convenient, the circumstance too perfect for my liking.
I’ve played this game long enough to know when something smells like a trap, it usually is.
Too bad I fucked any other alternative.
Shoving the bad feeling aside, I skim my eyes down the report, noting the landmarks and birth dates that might come in handy.
“It says she has a kid.”
“She did.”
“Did?”
“Tristan Seaborn died twelve years ago. The official report says he died of second-hand drowning. But the rumours…” Jasper hesitates, “The rumours say he died trying to run from his mother. Jumped off the dock and was never seen again.”
A chill trickles down my spine.
“So we’re dealing with a psychopath.”
“A psychopath who’s out of town.”
Sucking in a deep breath, I let it out slowly. The pressure is still there, the disappointment and expectations sitting like an anchor on my chest.
“Where’s the father?”
The question comes from Mae, who looks marginally less pissed off than she did two minutes ago.
“He left around the same time the kid died.”
Of course he did.
“Sounds about right.” Clearing my throat, I try not to think about the fact I’m stealing from a childless widow, “Is there anyone else I should be worried about?”
“Nope, you should be all good.” Jasper clears his throat, “Assuming you can keep your dick to yourself, this should be a walk in the park.”
“Or a swim with the fish.”
Horace grins, looking all too pleased with himself.
I groan, “Let’s not joke about me swimming with the fish until after I make it out alive.”
“Technically, eels are her specialty.” Catching my expression, Jasper quickly backpedals, “But that’s not important because you’re going to be long gone by the time the Sea Witch comes home.”
It sounds fucking easy when he puts it like that.
“Right.” Clearing my throat, I look at the family I left behind, “I just want you to know I won’t fuck up again. The next time we call I’ll have something to show for it.”
“There’s nothing we need that we don’t have. Just make sure you get home safe and sound, yeah?”
The soft edge of Jasper’s voice has a lump forming in my throat.
Now that the railroad is out of the question, there is no reason for me to linger any longer. Wolf Hollow has made it’s position clear from day one, it’s hostile exterior nothing compared to the characters who reside inside.
But Iwantto do this.
For my crew. For their future.
