“Stay put, asshole,” Nash growled at me.“You’re going to get yelled at next.”
I didn’t bother to listen, shutting off the water. The black and white dog took this opportunity to scoot in my direction, while somehow sitting during the process and not breaking his owner’s command. When he reached me, he pushed a cold, wet snout into my hand and sniffed, then licked. I ran a hand over his head, then scratched behind his ears. He let out a contented yawn, tongue lolling.
Larry continued his lifeless act. Bill hadn’t noticed him.
“See, Sybil? Worst guard dog ever. This is why you can’t walk alone at night anymore. I told you he wasn’t good at stopping anything,” Nash said.“Bill’s befriended practically half the Scottish countryside.”
Sybil pushed at Nash’s chest,“Stop worrying so much!” she reprimanded.“And chill out,” she warned before marching over to me and extending a timid hand.“Hi, I’m Sybil. It’s nice to meet you properly, and this time in the absence of a heist.”
I glanced at her hand, then at her face, fully illuminated by the overhead fairy lights. She was a pretty girl with blonde, nearly white hair and striking blue eyes. There was a sharp wariness, accented by tentative confidence, and it intrigued me.“Hi, I’m Gray.”
She chuckled derisively.“That’s a much better name than The Rat Man. I must say,” she teased.
I chuckled, glancing at her husband behind her, who was pacing with his hands on his hips. He looked ready to spring at me, if not for this small wall of defense that was shaking my hand.
“Where’s Betty?” Nash growled, impatient.“I’d better not find pieces of her in a freezer or buried in this dump.” He gestured around.
That was uncalled for. Betty had put a lot of work into making this place the opposite of that, and he was being disrespectful. I didn’t like it.
“I ate her,” I retorted, feeling bold and cheeky.
Nash lunged, but little Sybil stopped him again with a small hand on his chest.“Jesus, Nash. He didn’teather. Use your eyes, you oaf.” She gestured around the room.“Betty was clearly here. There are scented candles everywhere, and her handwriting is on every label in this shed. The organization literally screams,Betty.”
I nodded.“She’s very organized,” I agreed.
Sybil gestured to the tub.“And look, he wasprobablyfilling this tub for her, which seems like a sweet gesture, don’t you agree?” she added, looking at me for confirmation.“Am I right?”
I nodded enthusiastically. She returned the nod, then shot her husband an icy glare.
“Precisely, see. He cares for her,” she said. She swiveled back to me, her face breaking into a saccharin sweet grin.“So, where is Betty?”
This woman? I could negotiate with her. She had reason.“She’s in the cabin, sleeping with the cats,” I offered.
Sybil turned to Nash.“See? Sleeping with the cats. He even saved thecats.”She furrowed her brow, glancing back in my direction.“Cats? Plural?”
I nodded.“I got her a second one. His name is Villainy.”
She gave me a wicked grin, and I returned it. I felt she was on my side. I had no idea how she knew she could trust me, but if she knew Betty, then perhaps she knew about me as well. Perhaps Betty had spoken about me.
Nash’s hands kept clenching and unclenching at his sides. If not for Sybil, we’d both be bleeding on the floor by now.
“Alright then,” Sybil announced, gesturing toward the shed door.“Lead the way.” She blinked expectantly.
Honestly, even I felt the need to obey her.
I swallowed, gave Nash a wide berth, and skirted around the snowmobile and four-wheeler to reach the door. Keeping large obstacles between us seemed like the best idea.
I led them up the hill to the cabin and onto the porch, gesturing to the rocking chairs.“Wait here so I can make sure she’s decent,” I said.
Nash growled at that.
I winked at him.
His whole body tensed, hands poised to strike, but he froze when he saw the lifeless pine marten around my neck. His eyes narrowed, his head tilting in question.
“Oh, him? That’s Larry,” I said, reaching up to take him from my shoulders and holding him up to inspect his face.
Larry dared to open his little eyes, but was shaking with fear.
