Page 19 of Devil’s Snare

I thought about the day that Becka told me she was meeting Marshall for lunch. Nothing seemed hurried or out of place. “Becka was happy. She said she was excited to see Marshall. If she knew something was up, I feel like I would have noticed it.”

Ethan agreed.

Det. Castor glanced at Agent Barnes. “We don’t believe she knew anything prior to that meeting. Whatever happened, it occurred outside of her knowledge and before she met with Marshall.”

“Which doesn’t really tell us a damn thing,” Ethan muttered in frustration.

“No, it doesn’t,” Agent Barnes agreed. “Which is why we’re working this case. We’ll find out what happened. I promise you we’ll apprehend those responsible.” His gaze fixated on me.

“Isn’t that against some unspoken rule? Don’t promise justice before you can deliver it?”

His lips twitched with a suppressed smile. “Something like that.”

Ethan wasn’t amused. “We want to be kept in the loop. I don’t care if that means we’re kept under surveillance ourselves. If you haven’t already, do it. Keep Gwen safe.”

The other two men in the room froze.

Det. Castor rose to his feet. “Do you suspect that either of you is being followed? That you’re in danger?”

Ethan scoffed. “Our sister was murdered. Are you telling me you don’t think we’re both in danger?”

“Of course it’s been a consideration,” Agent Barnes conceded. “We’re watching both of your homes.”

“Since when?” I asked, suddenly thinking of Cin.

“Before the funeral,” Det. Castor admitted.

Then they could have seen Cin. He had no idea. I wasn’t sure why I felt the need to protect him, but I had to let him know about this as soon as possible. No more breaking into my apartment or entering through my bedroom window.

They would arrest him without hesitation if they caught him.

Neither of the men in charge of the case brought him up or indicated that they knew someone was visiting me late at night. Maybe they didn’t notice him. Cin preferred to wear black. He blended in.

Sort of.

“This could also be unrelated,” Det. Castor admitted. “We’re pursuing all angles. There’s been an uptick in gun violence, gang activity, and crime. A local motorcycle club is giving us a few problems.”

Motorcycle club? Did he mean Cin’s club?

“Which club?” I had to know.

Ethan’s gaze grew sharp as he studied me.

“I just want to know what to look out for. I hear motorcycles sometimes in my neighborhood.” My voice shook, but only because I worried about Cin. It wasn’t fear for me or my safety. I didn’t think Cin would let anyone near me who intended harm.

Ethan reached for my hand, squeezing it. “It’s okay. Nothing is going to happen to you, G. I’ll sleep on the couch until this is sorted so you’re not alone.”

I shook my head. “Not necessary.”

“It’s not,” Det. Castor smoothly agreed. “I’ll increase security and personally ensure Gwen’s safety.”

Agent Barnes frowned, not sharing the reason for his reaction. “You might want to consider temporarily staying with your parents or a friend. Somewhere safe until we apprehend the killer.”

“Or killers,” Ethan added.

We really didn’t know what we were up against. Apparently, neither did the police or NCIS.

“The name of the club?” I asked to remind them.