Page 114 of Fallen Flame

The van stopped. Dead still.

Nobody inside moved.

Several long seconds ticked by, and then the driver’s door opened.

One man climbed out.

He shut the door behind him.

Instead of walking away, he turned and headed straight toward the security camera. A cold feeling settled in my gut.

He walked with slow, measured steps. Not looking around. Not searching. He knew exactly where the camera was.

The closer he got, the larger he became on the screen.

Until finally... his face filled almost the entire picture.

His hood shadowed most of his features. Only the smile was clear.

Slow. Confident.

He raised one hand and two knuckles wrapped the screen.

Tap.

Tap.

The sound echoed through the television speakers.

He leaned closer until his breath briefly fogged the lens.

“Tell Wrecker...” He smiled wider. “...we’re coming.”

He pulled back, and he held the stare for another heartbeat.

Then he turned, walked back to the van, and climbed inside. The van pulled away without another second of hesitation and it disappeared into the darkness.

The screen kept recording an empty parking lot.

Nobody in the common room spoke.

Nobody had to.

That message hadn’t been for Archie.

It hadn’t even been for the motel.

It had been left for us.

They hadn’t accidentally been caught on camera. They’d left us a message and they’d made damn sure we’d see it.

I looked toward Alice.

Every sarcastic remark. Every joke. Every smartass comment... gone.

Her face had gone pale.

She wasn’t angry or shocked. She looked afraid.