Christian lifted one eyebrow.“Why are you calling me?We’re on our way out to meet you.”
“I understand that, but it’s about to rain again, and I’d rather not spend time meeting in the parking lot,” Damian replied.“You won’t like it in this facility, and I’d rather not put you through our security and elevator system.”
Christian relaxed.Damian had always seen through all of them.Every brother.Probably why he’d gone into intelligence.He’d also gone out of his way to keep Christian comfortable, and that building, with its underground levels, tight halls, and forest of radio towers, would set his stomach on edge.“I appreciate that,” Christian said, not seeing the need to lie to his brother.“You coming into town?”
Dutch glanced over and pulled the truck to the side of the road.
“No, I can’t right now.I’m in the middle of five different things,” Damian said.“But I did look at the email Dutch sent.I don’t recognize either of the victims—the woman or the man.I ran a full search of our records.They did not work here.”
Christian popped his neck.“Would you tell us if they did?”
“I’ve got no reason to lie,” Damian said, voice smooth as ever.“If I knew who they were, I’d say it.I also got my hands on the autopsy reports from Anchorage.”
Christian frowned, glanced at the screen, then pressed the speaker button.“You’re on with Dutch now.How’d you get ahold of those?”
Dutch turned his head toward the phone, brows drawing tight.“Please don’t say anything sketchy.”
“I’m the security director of EVE,” Damian said flatly.“No condescension intended, just fact.I can access pretty much anything.”
Dutch shook his head.“What are you even doing out there, anyway?That place is weird.”
Damian chuckled.“Why not?It’s close to home.They offered me a job.After years in the service, I could use the paycheck.Plus, I’ve always been curious about the place.”
Christian shifted, a slow awareness pricking at the back of his neck.“You need backup?”
“No,” Damian said.“If I do, I’ll call you.I promise.In fact, I’ll try to get into town for the next chowder day at Sam’s Tavern.”
“Absolutely,” Christian said, more than happy to spend time at Amka’s, even if it was getting harder and harder to believe anything she said about Jarod.Holding her all night had felt like torture and a blessing rolled into one.He hadn’t slept that well in years, but waking up with her soft curves pressed against him had nearly wrecked him.
Another night like that?He wouldn’t survive it.Not without touching her.
And that kiss…that one kiss had almost blown his head off.She sure as hell didn’t kiss like a woman engaged to another man.In love with another man.Christian would never forget the sweet taste of her.He wanted another one.Now.He cleared his throat.“Damian?Since you’re so good with records, think you could run a deep dive on Jarod Teller for me?”
Dutch nodded.“I think that’s a good idea.Just in case.You’ve got access to sources we don’t.”
“You think he shot at Amka?”Damian asked.
Christian stayed quiet for a beat.“You already know about that?The shooting just happened last night.”
“Please.It’s Knife’s Edge.You think I don’t have people there?”
Christian narrowed his eyes.“Who are your sources?”He thought through options.“Which one of our brothers did you talk to?”
“Neither,” Damian said, clearly amused.“Like I said, I’ve got my sources.”
Christian didn’t like that.Not even a little.“All right,” he said finally.“I guess there’s no reason for us to come out there now.But Damian, if you’re in trouble, you’ll call me.”
A long pause stretched over the line.“If IknowI’m in trouble, I’ll call,” Damian said.
Christian didn’t like that answer, either.“Don’t make me infiltrate that place.”
“I actually wouldn’t mind,” Damian replied.“I just installed new security, and it wouldn’t hurt to see if you could get through it.”
That might actually be fun.“Not right now,” Christian said.“I have too much on my plate.But maybe in a couple weeks.”
“We could even pay you.Even though you’re consulting with the AWT, I don’t think there’s a conflict there,” Damian said.
Dutch leaned his head back against the headrest.“How’d you know that?We haven’t told anyone yet.”
