His eyes tightened. Scanning again. Assessment 2.0. Searching for weaknesses.
“Any update on the break-in?” I shifted gears, worried I was two seconds away from having to check in to the B-grade motel that probably had bedbugs I’d spotted on the drive up here.
“No.” His posture stiffened, attention locking beyond me.
I followed his gaze to the parking lot and to my rented four-door sedan, which looked like it belonged in a nursing home.
Jump into enemy fire? Easy fucking day.
But drive that death trap up icy mountains? Different story.
My prayer hands had worked overtime on that last curve. I’d drawn a shaky cross over my heart on the road I’d nicknamedWhere Old Souls Go to Die. (Don’t ask why, I couldn’t tell you if I tried.)
I’d rather jump off a cliff with a chute strapped to my ass than drive that fossil again. That’d been all that was available, but I had every intention of getting it towed and swapped out for something with a little more kick and stability once there was another option.
“What is it?” I asked, not seeing anything but the heap of junk I’d driven.
Trevor’s eyes narrowed. “Thought I saw something.”
“And?”
“And I didn’t.” The edge in his voice didn’t cease and desist.
I’m not a threat. We’re on the same side.I kept those thoughts to myself for now. “Based on your guarded stance, I’m guessing you don’t think the break-in was some random B and E.”
Trevor’s icy stare cut through me, but this time I knew it wasn’t meant for me. “They had to be pros to take out every security measure I had in place. They never should have been able to get into her home undetected.”
“What in the hell would they want from Audrey?”
“I don’t know, but I’ve made some calls. I have people outside the locals here checking things out for me.”
“What kind of people?” I tipped my head, wondering who else was working my case—and it wasmycase. Because Audrey was Ryder’s sister, and that made her family.
“Your kind of people.” He lifted his head, making it clear he knew what I did for a living. Doubt he knew who I now worked for, though, and it was no longer DHS.
“Private security?”
“Yeah.” He shifted to the side, hopefully preparing to let me in. “I’ll figure this out, don’t worry.”
The “I” in that sentence was about as subtle as a shotgun round, but I’d save that battle for later.
Step one: get my ass out of the cold and see the reason for my being here herself.
Once inside the lodge, the cedar walls and ceiling beams greeted me, making me feel like I’d walked into a giant whiskey barrel. Or maybe I was the whiskey. After my confrontation with Trevor, I could use a glass.
Not a bad place, all things considered. Definitely better than freezing outside.
Trevor dug into his pocket and handed over an antique-looking key stamped with the number six. “Your room’s upstairs, three doors down from Audrey’s.” He said it like three doors was two too close for comfort, ex or not.
I cleared my throat, channeling my manners. “Thanks for letting me stay here—well, all of us. We’ll need two more rooms tomorrow. They available?”
He parked a hand on my shoulder and gave it two solid pats. “As long as someone’s paying the bill, yeah.”
“I’m going to check on her.” I stepped back, and he wisely withdrew his hand.
“We’ll talk about the case and how involved your team will be later. Just do me a favor and don’t tell Audrey what I shared with you for now. She doesn’t need the stress, not until I know more.” The polite tone didn’t soften the command. Message received.
I nodded once, then took the stairs.
