Parker huffed.
"Last year when I moved here and was assigned with keeping Hwan's safe, his store was attacked."
"Yeah, I remember," I said.
"Well, we've been taking security very seriously since, especially since we applied to foster. So we've got reinforced glazed windows, security cameras, alarms—the whole nine yards. They must have tried to break the window to throw the Molotov in and, when they failed, just threw it against the door and hoped it would do something. It didn't. We're fine. The store is fine. You don't need to worry."
I sighed and sat inside my truck.
"Of course I worry, Parker. You know it's him. That's his MO."
"I know."
"How can you be so calm? What if he tries again? What if he succeeds?"
Parker sighed.
"I'm trying to stay calm because I know we'll get this bastard. He's starting to get frantic, which is a pretty good sign we're getting under his skin and what happens when we get under their skin?"
"They make mistakes," I huffed. "Do you think he knows Autumn is trying to find him?"
"I don't know, but she's fine, and so is the Outpost, so probably not."
I looked at my house as we spoke—my house with Zach inside—and a cold chill ran through my spine.
"I hate this," I said.
"I know," he answered. "We all do. We've all been in this position. We know how hard it is not knowing how to protect the people we care about, but just be patient. It will all work out."
I nodded, trying to internalize it. Trying to believe it. Trying to not let the worry consume me.
"How's Hwan?"
"Pissed."
"I can imagine," I said.
"Yeah, not for the reason you think. It's because they ruined his perfectly painted entrance and we have a social worker due this week."
"You're still going ahead with this? You've just been attacked."
"Yeah. Of course we are. More determined than ever, actually. We’re going find this Salieri asshole and put him in a hole on the ground, too."
I sighed.
"Yeah. Lombardi too."
"It's fine. We've got this. We've been up against worse criminals, and we lived to tell the tale."
I laughed.
"I can't decide if you're crazy or just confident. Wyatt has ruined you guys."
"Wyatt?"
"Well, yeah. You're all here because of him. You're all in danger because of him."
Parker huffed on the other end of the line.
