Page 22 of Sinister Secrets

“You’ll solve this and everything will be back to normal in no time. I have complete faith in you.”

Which makes exactly one of us. I might be good at what I do, but I have serious concerns that these people are better. They also have the advantage of having started this. Which means they might already have the ending planned as well.

CHAPTER 13

My eyes feel gritty, my chest tight as I sit at the kitchen table the next morning nursing a cup of coffee that’s long gone cold. I know the last thing I need is to put more caffeine on top of a heavy dose of nerves, but I can’t stop. Each bitter, sour sip is enough to yank me from the thoughts circling endlessly through my mind, and I’ll gladly take every respite I can get, no matter how brief.

Though Jake’s arms stayed around me long into the night, whatever romance we’d had planned was tabled as we brainstormed—who we could get to help out at the Sanctuary while we were waiting for the mobile home to be habitable, avenues I should investigate, precautions we should take. Though he agreed that Gordon’s body was a message, his interpretation on what it was differed from mine.

He didn’t believe that the rich, powerful people whose plans I destroyed would bother sending a message at all. He’s convinced that whoever we’re dealing with is a minor player, someone with their own personal vendetta. Maybe he’s right. He certainly made a good case.

But even if it’s true, it would be foolish for either of us to let our guard down, because it’s likely that someone is watching, just waiting for the chance to strike. I don’t intend to give it to them. Sighing heavily, I stare down at the table, reading over the post I wrote advertising the two rooms in the mobile home for the dozenth time.

Unique Opportunity at Gator Glade Sanctuary

Who you are: A veterinary student looking to gain hands-on experience with

both domestic and exotic animals, big and small. Must be willing to tend to the

animals’ emotional as well as physical needs. Duties include feeding, watering,

cleaning, and playing, as well as administering minor medical care.

What you’ll get: FREE lodging in a brand-new mobile home, utilities

included. Thirty minutes from campus, so your own transportation is a must.

Two rooms available beginning—

My phone buzzes on the table with an incoming call, startling me even though it’s exactly what I’ve been waiting for. I scoop it up, answering breathlessly. “Marla?”

“It’s done,” she says, her calm, smooth voice a balm in my ear. “You’re to meet with Director Lopez at the Miami office at ten.”

“Thank you,” I gush out on a huge sigh of relief. “Seriously, Marla. I owe you big time.”

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

I take my time before answering, because no, I’m not. What I want is not to have to deal with this in the first place, but since that’s not an option…

“I think that this is the best way to handle the situation.”

She makes a noise deep in her throat. “I can’t say that I like it.”

“Neither can I. And I can’t understand why they circled back around to this. I thought it was all settled. They had their fall guy. No one was looking into it any further. I just wish I knew what made them change their mind.”

“Maybe they didn’t,” she offers. “There could be another reason why someone dumped that body in your pond.”

But even as she says it, I can tell by her tone that she doesn’t mean it.

“Did you tell Director Lopez about—”

“Oh, heavens, no. The last thing you need is an official FBI investigation into this. That would only make you a target.”

“I may already be a target,” I say softly. “And you might, too. Marla—”

“Don’t you worry about that. I mean it, Cassidy. Don’t give it another thought.”

“But this is all my fault.”