“You gotta thing for psychos, huh?”
“I got a thing for all things female. I’m an equal opportunities kind of guy.”
“Yeah, you’re such a giver.”
“You have no idea. I’m gonna head upstairs. I’ll keep the door open so I can hear.”
He hefts his backpack farther up his arm and walks off, leaving me to look around. I walk into the kitchen and pull open the fridge, frowning when I see it full of fruits, vegetables, eggs, cheese, and yogurt. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen such an array of healthy food before. Well, perhaps Amity’s fridge, as she’s a clean eater. But then her body is her work, so it’s understandable. I grab a couple of bottles of water and close the fridge, carrying them over to the dining table. I spot the coffee machine on the counter and consider making some, but nix the idea. I don’t want to make this asshole any more comfortable than necessary. The sooner I can get rid of him, the better.
When my phone chimes, I pull it out and see a message from Delphi. I grin, but don’t bother opening it because I can hear a vehicle approaching. I don’t want to be distracted. When I hear it pull into the driveway, I get to my feet and head to the door. I check out the older model Ford truck and see only Jack—or whatever the fuck his name is—in the driver’s seat, though the tinted windows make it difficult to know for sure.
I glance at the plates, not bothering to memorize them. I can grab them from the security footage later. The last time I met him, he arrived in a swanky new Benz, so the choice of transport makes me suspicious. I open the door as he climbs out with a large envelope in his hands and makes his way toward me.
“Kruger, glad you could see me.” He holds out his free hand. I ignore it, stepping back and indicating for him to enter. He does, not looking intimidated in the slightest.
I take him in. He’s around my height, but leaner like a swimmer. He’s blond, sporting a full beard this time. He’s wearing a pair of jeans and a bulky jacket instead of his suit, which is excessive for the temperatures we’ve been having lately. I have to assume he’s armed, and the jacket is his way of hiding it.
I close the door and walk behind him. “Take a seat at the table.”
He does so without question, taking a chair that leaves him in sight of the door and the hallway. This guy isn’t an amateur. He’s sitting so he has the entrance points in view, and nobody can sneak up on him. I take a seat opposite and lean back, waiting for him to start.
“Sorry for pulling you away from your woman while she’s resting. I won’t keep you long.”
“Appreciated. Though I have to ask why you want to meet me at all. I know Nathan has told you we can’t help and has refused to take your case. Makes me wonder if I should be concerned that you seem to be stalking him.”
He grins. There is a coldness to it that I don’t remember seeing in him before. “I don’t usually swing that way, but perhaps I could make an exception.”
I tilt my head, trying to get a read on him, but the guy is stoic as fuck. Still, I’m not buying the shit he’s selling. “Nah, I don’t think you will. Why don’t you tell me what you really want, Jack? Or perhaps you prefer I call you Sam?”
He grins, leaning back in his seat comfortably, like we’re two friends chatting. “Figured that out, did you? I did wonder what was taking so long.”
“How about you tell me what you want and stop wasting my fucking time.”
“That’s fair, I suppose. Okay then, let’s get down to it, shall we? I’m looking for someone.”
“Who? Because it sure as shit isn’t Annie Davis.”
“No, it isn’t. That was a test to see how good you were.”
“Lovely. Tell me, did we pass or fail?”
He smiles. “I guess that’s subjective.” He taps his finger on the table. I think he does it to annoy me, so I don’t react. But then I realize it’s some kind of tune. I try to figure out what it is, but lose my train of thought when he starts speaking again.
“I don’t have all day, so get to the point or get the fuck out.”
“Alright. My client is looking for his wife.”
I roll my eyes. “Really? Another test? And who the fuck is your client, exactly?”
“I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to say. Client confidentiality and all that. All we want is information on his wife, and we will leave you in peace.”
“And who, pray tell, is this mystery wife?”
“Lilac Burton.”
I shake my head. “Never heard of her.”
He opens the envelope and reaches inside, pulling out a stack of photos before tossing them my way. I catch them as they slide across the table. It takes me a second to take it all in, and when I do, my blood boils red hot. Each picture is of Lil, and over half of them have me in them. Now I know what he wanted with the Ohio chapter so bad. He thinks she might be hiding out there.
