Page 85 of Carver’s Crusade

Raven hands him the bottle; he goes through the same process of wiping down the bottle before pressing it into Nancy’s hand. Min picks up the taser and hands it to Shield.

“Raven tased him; he’ll have marks.”

Shield studies the taser before glancing at Raven. “Can this be tracked back to you?”

“I bought it from a friend at the swap meet,” she explains.

Shield glances at me.

“Luis. He won’t betray her.”

Shield nods before wiping it down, too, and pressing it in Nancy’s hand. He then tosses it across the floor as if it had been kicked there during a struggle. He’s creating a story. Tony attacked Nancy, she tased him and then poisoned him, he stabbed her.

I glance at Raven. She’s staring at Shield with wide eyes like she can’t believe what he’s doing for her.

Hell, neither can I. It’s not perfect, but it’s believable. Especially with Shield steering the investigation.

He steps back and studies the room critically.

Then he looks directly at Raven.

“What exactly did you poison him with?”

Raven swallows. “Calabar bean.”

Shield’s brows pull together.

“What the hell is that?”

Raven takes a shaky breath. “It’s a plant. Extremely toxic if prepared correctly.” Her voice steadies slightly as she continues. “Historically, they used it in something called the Trial Ordeal.”

Shield folds his arms. “Explain.”

Raven nods once.

“In West Africa, people accused of crimes were forced to consume calabar bean poison. If they died, they were considered guilty. If they survived…” She shrugs faintly. “They were innocent.”

Tanya shivers visibly. “That’s horrifying.”

Raven’s gaze drops briefly to Tony. “It seemed fitting.”

I tighten my arm around her waist.

Shield studies her carefully. “Do you have more of this poison?”

Every muscle in my body tightens again.

Raven hesitates before nodding. “Yes.”

Shield’s eyes narrow slightly. “You made it yourself?”

She jerks her head.

“Jesus Christ,” Ashlyn mutters.

Shield rubs his jaw. “How?”

“I grow the plants.”