Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 131364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 131364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 657(@200wpm)___ 525(@250wpm)___ 438(@300wpm)
“I’ve got it, Adam,” Dahlia said, grim-eyed and nothing at all like the hungover woman he’d run into that morning. “You take care of Jacques.”
Adam shifted on her statement and was soon shadowing the ambulance. As wing leader, he could direct energy to both Naia and Jacques, the clan filling him up with unending generosity.
Together they would fight for their fallen.
• • •
Eleri had known something was up the instant she saw the cadre of falcons flying in a single direction, the force of their intent clear. Her eyes had been drawn to one particular falcon—he had the distinctive coloring of a peregrine, but he was bigger and faster than the other peregrines on his tail.
She was certain that was Adam Garrett.
Instinct again, but she’d long given up pretending that that wasn’t one of her driving forces.
She’d also noticed one other falcon, but only because it hadn’t been a peregrine. Someone in Adam’s clan was a gyrfalcon, the biggest species of falcon. But even that powerful bird couldn’t keep up with Adam.
The subject of the falcons’ flight was the topic of conversation between the two officers present in the Enforcement station when she finally managed to find it open. She’d come by prior to her visit to the local diner, only to find it deserted.
“Sorry about that,” Detective Rex Beaufort said after she’d introduced herself and told him why she was in town. “We have an admin but she’s out sick.” Older, with lines feathering the corners of his eyes, his cheekbones high and flat and his skin holding coppery tones akin to Adam’s, he added, “Look, I won’t think to tell you your job, but Raintree and a serial killer? I can’t see it.”
His younger colleague, Jocasta Whitten—a petite Black woman with her thinly braided hair worn in a bun—nodded. “Biggest excitement we usually have is when one of the kids manages to steal Donny’s prized muscle car and take it for a joyride.”
The phone on the desk rang right then and she went to grab it. Eleri heard her say, “Deputy Whitten, Raintree station.”
“You don’t mind if I investigate, however?” Eleri clarified, because having the cooperation of the local authorities was always helpful.
“Can’t see any problems with it, but you’ll have to talk to the chief when he gets back—he’s out of—” Beaufort broke off as Deputy Whitten’s voice became clipped and urgent.
“Where? Shit. We’re on our way.” Hanging up, she looked over, her pupils huge against the brown of her irises. “Someone shot down Jacques. Injuries might be fatal. Falcons have him, are out at the site.”
Beaufort’s face turned grim. “A kid acting stupid with their parent’s gun?”
“High-powered laser. Not a toy. And multiple hits.”
“Shooter’s as good as dead if Adam finds them.” A sharp look at Eleri.
“I work with Enforcement,” she said. “I understand confidentiality. Is there anything I can do to assist? I’m used to dealing with complex scenes.” And she owed Adam, would always owe him.
A speaking glance between the two cops before the older one said, “Follow us to the site. Whitten can run your credentials on the way.”
Two minutes later, as Eleri drove out behind the officers who were obviously shell-shocked at the violence despite their attempt to act professional, she considered the odds of this being unconnected to her presence in Raintree. It seemed an unusual coincidence that a falcon would be intentionally shot down right after she’d arrived in town on the trail of a murderer.
No. She internally frowned. It didn’t make sense.
Prior to her conversation with Beaufort and Whitten, only Adam had known the reason for her presence. Everyone else she’d spoken to was under the impression that she was working a decades-old cold case.
Even if the killer had seen and recognized her in the short time that she’d been in Raintree, it was no reason for him to panic. The personality type that found amusement in sending her those letters would be exhilarated at the chance to play games with her in person.
And shooting wasn’t the Sandman’s style.
His style was terror doled out over days, the final murder a fatal and deeply personal assault to the brain. Guns were too long-distance a weapon for a man who found pleasure in locking eyes with his victim as he pulverized her brain.
Chapter 10
Today, I watched Adam go hug Saoirse because she was sad over a fight with her friend. He gave her his favorite cookie and just stayed tucked against her until she started to feel better.
He’s so like Cormac. Or as you called him when I first brought him home—my wild Irish boy. Huge hearts both of them, no boundaries in how they love.
—Letter from Taazbaa’ Garrett to Aria (27 March 2064)
Naia worked on Jacques through the afternoon and deep into the night, but while she managed to stabilize his body, it left Jacques hooked up to multiple machines.