Chapter Six
Along with everyone else, Archer watched themonitor as four people—three men and one woman—spilled out of the black SUV in the parking lot.As soon as the woman’s face became clear, he recognized her from the photos he’d seen numerous times over the past month or so.
“That looks like … um …Eddie,” Atticus said from beside him, his voice low, but probably not low enough.
“Because it is,” Brantley confirmed, still watching the screen.
What were the odds that the woman at the center of this conspiracy just showed up at their door?And yeah, okay.That was a stupid question since that was most definitely her.
“Who is she?”Gage asked, looking to Brantley for an answer.
“I guess technically she’s your mother-in-law.”
Gage’s head snapped around, eyes slamming into the monitor.“That’s Kylie’s mother?”
“It most definitely is,” Brantley said, sounding a little too chipper to be sharing that information.
“I thought her name was Meredith.”
“Eddie’s a nickname.”
“Did you know she would be here?”Travis prompted.He didn’t look entirely surprised to see her.
Brantley shook his head.“Had no idea.Then again, I didn’t knowyouwould be here.”
“Who’s the guy with her?”
Archer figured Gage was referring specifically to the glaring man who had taken her hand and was leading her toward the barn.
“Decker Bromwell.He works for RT and Z,” Reese explained.
“How does he fit into this?”Gage asked.
“He had a relationship with her when he was a teenager,” Brantley said, his distaste for the subject evident.“She was his teacher, he was her fourteen-year-old student.”
“Jesus Christ,” Travis muttered.“That’s disturbing.”
“Understatement,” Brantley added.
Archer would’ve found this situation somewhat comical if it weren’t quite so dire.The entire case they were working sat like a house of cards right on that woman’s head, and here she was, making an appearance in Coyote Ridge.He wondered how long it would take the feds to figure out she was there.And once they did, what were they intending to do about it?
Which, now that he thought about it, maybe that was how they could draw out Martin Calloway.If they used Meredith as bait, Archer was sure the guy would come running.Then again, he was a Fed, which meant he’d likely pull rank and haul her off, throwing up protections as a federal witness that would keep them from getting to talk to her.
So maybe they needed to keep her presence a secret.
Reese moved to the door, opening it when the group approached.
“Hey,” RT said softly, eyes full of apology.
“Inside,” Z ordered Decker, looking as though he was ready to kick the guy to get him moving.
Beside Archer, Atticus stared in wonder, looking confused and intrigued in equal measure.Archer understood the feeling all too well.
Welcome to the Big Top, folks.Archer was positive the price of admission to a show like this would be astronomical.And here he was with a front row seat.
Once inside, Z made introductions.“Brantley, Reese, meet Meredith Prescott.Over there, that’s Atticus and Archer.”
Not sure what to do, Archer lifted a hand and waved.He felt like a fool, but his brain was momentarily on the fritz.Just last night, they’d been deep diving into this woman’s existence, and there she was.
