“I have no idea. There is literally no paper trail. Not one. He has no recent travels—aside from coming here—no known accomplices, no family, friends—nothing.”
“Former CIA? Why? How?” I’m reeling. Why would the CIA be after me? Is it the name changes? But wouldn’t they be trying to arrest me? I can’t imagine that comes with a death sentence.
“I’m not sure.” Brenda crosses her arms. “But that’s not all.” She opens the door. “Come in now!” she calls out. “Had to warm you up first,” she adds just before a man I’ve never seen steps into the boat.
Based on Zane’s furious expression, though? He’s absolutely seen him before.
“What are you doing here?” Zane demands, his hands clenching into fists as he takes a step toward the newcomer.
“Meet Agent Jack Weathers,” Brenda says. “FBI.”
“Why were you in my sister’s place? Once again, you’ve walked right past Nina’s Bait Shop.”
“I’m not a threat to your sister. I was just trying to get information.”
“My sister is not there for you to question,” Zane snarls.
“No offense, there, Knox, but in a murder investigation, everyone is up for questioning.”
“Murder?” I whisper, and all gazes shift to me, almost like they all forgot I was here in the first place. Man, if I could only go back to that.
“Tessa Lane, I presume? Or rather, Lisa Phillips. That’s the name you were using, right?” Jack crosses over toward me, but Zane slides between us.
He and Jack remain rooted where they stand, each of them glaring at the other.
“This is ridiculous.” Brenda rolls her eyes. “Both of you to your own corners. Let’s not let your egos sink the boat.”
Jack takes a step back. “I only need information.”
“Then you’re going to give us ten minutes.”
“Sure,” he replies.
“I’m assuming you can make your way back to my sister’s place?”
“Sure, but it’s closed.”
“Exactly. She’ll let you in when you get there.” Zane doesn’t move from his spot even as Brenda and Jack head toward the cabin door.
“I’ll see you in ten,” Jack says. “If you don’t show, though, our next interaction won’t be so friendly.”
With that barely veiled threat, he turns to leave, with Brenda following on his heels.
As soon as the door is closed, Zane pulls his phone from his pocket and taps on the screen before pressing it to his ear. All while the blood is hammering so loud in mine that I can barely hear what he says.
CIA?
FBI?
Murder?
What’s happening?
Chapter 21
Zane
“Thanks for this,” I tell Anastasia, keeping my voice barely above a whisper so Brenda and Jack can’t hear me from where they’re seated at a café table near the front door of my sister’s coffee shop. Tessa is standing just beside me, silent as she’s been since they left the boat.
