In the Black

by Cynthia Rayne

  Zane cleared his throat. “So, about what I said last night…”

  “Yes?” Ellie scooted a bit closer, a smile curving her lips. She was enjoying this.

  “We should talk.”

  “Yeah, we’ve been puttin’ it off for a long time.”

  And then the goddamn phone rang.

  It wasn’t his personal cell either, it was the Black Star number, the one they used for business. He waited impatiently for someone to pick it up.

  Nobody did.

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake.”

  “You should probably get that.”

  Muttering under his breath, Zane picked up the receiver from the nightstand.

  “What do you want?” Zane growled.

  “Hello to you, too.”

  Zane recognized the voice. It was the local sheriff, Huck. Immediately, he was on guard.

  He actually liked the man. They’d crossed paths a couple of times but hadn’t had a real conversation yet. Huck had helped them hunt down the fugitives, but he was a lawman, an honorable one. And they’d gone off book on this one, and Huck would be duty-bound to turn them in if he found out they were harboring Ellie.

  “Hi, Huck, it’s Zane.”

  “Who is it?” Ellie whispered leaning closer.

  Zane placed a fingertip to his lips and shook his head. She went silent, watching him with impossibly wide and worried eyes.

  “Is West there?”

  “Nope.”

  “I tried his cell, but he isn’t pickin’ up.”

  “I’ll tell him you called.” Zane was about to hang up when Huck interrupted. “What about King?”

  “Yeah, he’s not here either.” Evidently, HQ was a ghost town, or somebody would’ve handled this call. “Anythin’ I can do for you?”

  There was a long pause on the line, followed by a groan.

  “Huck? Is somethin’ wrong?”

  “Yeah, but I think you have this all backward.”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t follow.” It was much too early in the morning for riddles. Zane wanted to move this shit show along, and then warn West.

  Huck gave a gusty sigh. “Is there anythin’ you want to tell me?”

  “Nothing comes to mind,” he drawled.

  “Oh. Then you guys aren’t hidin’ King’s sister? Elinor King?”

  Christ. He knows.

  Zane swallowed. “No, of course not.”

  Huck grunted. “You wanna play it that way, huh?”

  “I’m not playin’.” Zane was deadly serious.

  If Huck was coming over to arrest Ellie, he’d be running out the door with her in a matter of minutes. They could flip a coin—heads they went north to Canada or tails, they went south to Mexico.

  “Let me tell you about my day. Early this mornin’, I got a call from the district attorney’s office. His name’s Joe Hampton, and I spent the past couple of hours listenin’ to him bellyache about a botched project. Have you heard of him?”

  Zane had. “Yeah, I’ve seen him at a press conference or two.” The man never missed an opportunity to preen before the cameras.

  “That’s the one. Anyway, he’s got his sights set on the governor’s mansion one day. Hampton wants me to cooperate with the FBI in an ongoin’ investigation. Apparently, this is a very important case, but they’re keepin’ everythin’ hush hush. It’s a matter of national security.”

  Oh shit.

  “You don’t say.”

  “Yeah, it’s a domestic terrorism problem. And Ellie is a person of interest.”

  Hold on a second. “Why are you tellin’ me all this?”

  “Because I’ve lost my damn mind, apparently.” He sighed. “My instincts tell me y’all aren’t plottin’ to hurt folks. If anythin’, you’re trying to stop it. Am I right?”

  Zane didn’t know what to say. Should he fess up? Deny everything? He ran a hand through his hair and glanced at Ellie. He didn’t know what to do.

  Her face had gone pale, and she’d wrapped her arms around Bomber, who’d crawled into her lap, as though sensing she needed comfort. Dogs had a way of understanding people’s pain. He’d held his childhood pet, Cooper countless times, crying and sniffling into his fur.

  And Cooper had always been there for him. Like a lifeline. Until he wasn’t.

  “What if the FBI tapped your phone? They could be listenin’ in.”

  “This is a burner phone, Zane, I wasn’t born yesterday. And they haven’t wiretapped your phone, they’re gonna take care of it tomorrow mornin’.”

  Zane refused to say anything else. He couldn’t take any chances, not when it came to her safety.

  “Come on, tell me what’s goin’ happenin’. I’m not tryin’ to trap you, idiot, I wanna help. The FBI wasn’t overly specific, but they mentioned a bomb. From what I can piece together, King’s sister took up with the wrong man, but that’s the extent of her sins. Now, I ain’t lettin’ anybody in my county be blown to smithereens, but I won’t railroad an innocent person either. Do you see my dilemma?”

  “Yeah, I get it.”

  “Unfortunately, I have to do my duty in these situations.”

  Zane sighed. “I understand.” Canada can be very nice this time of year.

  “I don’t think you do. The feds are serving a search warrant tomorrow mornin’.”

  “That’s a little aggressive. Wouldn’t they normally send an agent over to interview King first?”

  When the FBI was trying to find a person, they usually speak with their friends and family members. People in trouble, often contact their nearest and dearest first.

  “Yeah, they’ve contacted him, but he’s ignorin’ their phone calls. The FBI is convinced King is protectin’ Ellie.” Huck fell silent for a moment. “And I think they’re right.”

  Zane cursed under his breath.

  “From what I understand, these are unusual circumstances, an imminent threat has been identified. The FBI has been workin’ overtime, runnin’ people down, and interrogating their relatives, but it’s a slow process. So, I’m just lettin’ you know, they’re gonna interview King, and if Ellie happens to be there, they’ll take her into custody.”

  And then he got it.

  “But if she’s not here…”

  “Then they’ll have to move on. Thought you’d wanna know.”

  And then Huck hung up.

  Chapter 8

  “Stop actin’ suspicious, Ellie.”

  “I’m not.” At least I’m tryin’ not to.

  The next morning Ellie and Zane were having breakfast at Red’s Smokehouse while the FBI searched HQ and questioned Tommy. After Zane had gotten off the phone with Huck, they’d made preparations. The team had spent the last twenty-four hours removing any trace of her from the house.

  “Just relax, roomie, it’s gonna be fine.”

  The nickname made her cringe.

  She hadn’t gotten the chance to finish her discussion with Zane either. Maybe they never would.

  “Sorry,” he muttered. “I shouldn’t have—”

  “Don’t worry about it. We’ve got bigger problems.” Ellie closed her eyes. She had a throbbing headache and Ellie was exhausted, bone weary.

  “How’s your breakfast?”

  “Great.”

  According to Zane, Red’s was a small, local restaurant that did a lot of business in these parts. The place didn’t have much atmosphere—the floors were white linoleum, and the wood-paneled featured the occasional pair of deer antlers, mixed in with neon Wild Turkey signs.

  And yet the meal was outstanding. She’d ordered sausage gravy and biscuits with home fries. It was pure comfort food, a taste of home. It was the kind of breakfast her momma had fixed on Sunday mornings.

  Although she didn’t feel like eating. Her stomach had tightened into an anxious little ball. Any second, someone might recognize her, and this would all be over. They were in a corner booth, tucked away from prying eyes, but all it took was one rubber-necker.

  “I mean it, E
llie, stop lookin’ over your shoulder. Act natural. Blend in.”

  Ellie didn’t know how he remained calm. Zane sat across from her, scarfing down his food as though he didn’t have a care in the world. While Ellie felt like she was about to come out of her skin.

  “My face was plastered all over the evenin’ news,” Ellie whispered furiously.

  “Yeah, and we fixed it.” He made a vague gesture in her direction.

  Last night, she’d dyed her hair black as a raven’s wing. Despite a thorough shower this morning, Ellie could still smell the chemicals.

  Mack had picked her up the dye, along with a pair of reading glasses from the drug store. She wore them low on her nose so she wouldn’t get a headache from the prescription. In her picture, Ellie’s hair had been around her shoulders, so Annie had cut it into a bob.

  Even Ellie had to admit, she looked radically different.

  “I guess so.” It’s gonna be okay. Just breathe.

  “None of the locals know you’re here anyway. You haven’t left HQ in days. In a few hours, the FBI will be gone, and we can go back to huntin’ those dicks.”

  “I guess you’re right.” Ellie forced herself to calm down and eat her meal.

  They finished their breakfast in peace.

  Other than a waitress stopping by to fill their coffee cups, nobody bothered them. And Ellie loosened up, enjoying Zane’s company. He kept her distracted by making jokes and keeping it light. Zane deflected tension with humor, and she wondered where he’d learned how to do that.

  “So, when we get back to HQ can we talk?”

  Zane tensed. “Yeah, we can.”

  Somehow, she didn’t think it would be a pleasant conversation. But they had to get everything out in the open, regardless of how uncomfortable it made them.

  “C’mon, it won’t be so bad.”

  “If you say so.”

  “I do.”

  Zane grinned. “I better take care of the check. How do you feel about takin’ a drive? We’ve gotta a few hours to kill.” They’d have to wait for nightfall to head back, in case the FBI was surveilling HQ.

  “Sounds like fun.”

  When Zane got up to use the restroom and pay the check, a man slipped into the booth across from her. He wore a hoodie pulled down low, which obscured his features.

  When he glanced up, she gasped.

  It was Dave.

  “What are you doin’ here?” Ellie glanced around the room, but nobody noticed him either. At this rate, I’m gonna have a heart attack.

  “I had to see you. Ellie, quick, there isn’t much time. Are you okay?”

  I’ve gotta keep him talkin’. If she could occupy Dave long enough, Zane could grab him. Then they’d take Dave back to HQ and get some answers out of him.

  “No!” she hissed. “My life is upside down, thanks to you. And how did you know I’d be here?”

  “I knew you went to see Tommy. That’s where you always go when you’re in trouble.” He shrugged. “So, I hid out in the woods, watched you leave early this mornin’ with Zane.” A vein his forehead throbbed. “And then I followed you here.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Just checkin’ on you. The last time we saw each other was....” He glanced around uneasily. “Anyway, I can’t stay long. Marshall sent me to get…it doesn’t matter. Anyway, you’ve got to leave town. Hide.”

  “Where could I possibly go?” This story had the potential to go national, or even international, and then she’d never be able to show her face again.

  That’s when she saw Zane coming up behind them. He nodded to her in a silent signal, and she swallowed.

  “Ellie, please, I—”

  But Dave didn’t get the chance to finish his sentence, because Zane stuck the gun into his side.

  Zane laid a hand on his shoulder, squeezing until his knuckles went white. “If you make a scene, I’ll blow a hole in you. Understand?”

  Dave nodded.

  But he stared at her, silently accusing Ellie. Where the hell did he get off? Acting like she’d betrayed him somehow.

  “We just need to talk to you,” Ellie said.

  “You heard the lady, Dave, you’re comin’ with us.”

  And then Zane walked him right out of the diner.

  ***

  “Okay, before I go in there, what can you tell me about him?” Zane asked.

  Zane and Stormy stood in the hallway outside the meeting room, whispering to one another. Their “guest of honor” had been handcuffed and sat at the end of the table. They kept the door open, in case Dave decided to do something stupid.

  “What do you wanna know?” Storm asked.

  After they left Red’s, Zane had handcuffed and gagged Dave, and laid him down in the backseat. Unfortunately, the Jeep didn’t have a trunk. They’d had to drive around for hours while they waited for the FBI to leave.

  To be safe, they’d headed back at nightfall., but the FBI hadn’t stationed anyone in the vicinity, as far as they could tell. It made sense. HQ was located on a rambling country rode and a black surveillance van would be conspicuous.

  Instead, the FBI had gone high tech on them. Stormy located and neutralized bugs they’d planted all over HQ. And if they wanted to set up new ones they’d need another warrant, which bought Black Star some time.

  “Tell me everything about Dave.”

  He was itching to get started, but he had to do this the right way. Zane couldn’t head in there blind.

  Storm consulted his legal pad, which was full of notes. “Dave hasn’t paid his taxes in two years, and if he owned anything of value, there’d be a lien on it. Both of their cars belong to the bank, and they live in an apartment, so there’s no property to seize.”

  “Lived.”

  “What?”

  “You said ‘live,’ but Ellie is done with him.”

  Storm frowned. “Yeah, that wasn’t the point, but I’ve made a mental note of it. Anyhow, Dave told Ellie he’s been working for a landscaping firm, but there’s no employment record. However, he has been posting regular deposits to his account.”

  Storm excelled at getting dirt on people. He never revealed his methods, and honestly, Zane didn’t want to know. If he had to hazard a guess, Zane would say Stormy’s approach wasn’t on the up and up, but it was pretty damn useful, especially in a situation like this.

  “Then where’s he gettin’ the money?”

  “No clue. All I know is, he doesn’t have any legal employment unless he’s being paid under the table.”

  It was a distinct possibility, especially if Dave was working for another sovereign who didn’t believe in paying taxes.

  Zane squared his shoulders. “Okay, I’m ready to go in.”

  Storm frowned.

  Zane was familiar with the expression. He was searching for the right way to talk him out of it. Well, Stormy could save his breath. Nobody was sidelining him. Not this time.

  As it turned out, Storm didn’t have the chance to intervene.

  “You ain’t goin’ in there.” King lumbered down the hall and planted himself in front of the meeting room door, like a man-sized brick wall.

  “The hell I ain’t.”

  “She’s my sister. And I’m gonna take care of this prick.”

  Storm sighed. “I have a better idea. You both eavesdrop at the door, while I speak with him.”

  “Fuck you—”

  “Like hell. I’m—”

  Both he and King spoke simultaneously, but Stormy cut them off.

  “Have either of you conducted an interrogation before?” Storm asked, all pissy and self-righteous.

  Neither one of them responded.

  “I thought so. Well, I have. I’ve done thousands of them. And you know what the most important factor is?”

  King flipped him off, while Zane just glowered.

  “Forming a bond with the suspect. You must make a connection and then exploit if for information. Is either one of you up to the task? Trust me, i
t isn’t easy pretending to like a dirtbag.”

  Once again, there was an awkward silence.

  Zane was seething. He wanted, no he needed to get his hands on Dave.

  “Unlike the two of you, I’m not emotionally involved in this case.” He took a breath. “I like Ellie, but she’s not my sister or my…” Stormy stopped and eyed Zane.

  “What were you goin’ to say?” King raised a brow.

  “Well, it’s not really business. So, if you don’t mind…” Stormy walked into the room, locked the door, and left the two of them on the other side.

  “What the fuck was he talkin’ about?” King demanded, clenching a fist.

  Shit. “I’ve got no idea.”

  “What’s Ellie to you?” His eyes became two squinty slits. “And why were you gettin’ so worked up in our meetin’ earlier?”

  Whenever Storm walked out of the room, Zane planned on giving him a punch in the mouth, for not minding his own goddamn business.

  “No reason. I just hate seein’ one of our own in trouble. That’s all.”

  “I don’t believe you.” King took a step forward.

  Just then, Ellie showed up. Ever since they’d captured Dave, she’d been a basket case. Ellie kept fidgeting, wringing her hands. Clearly seeing her ex again had stirred up some emotions.

  Zane tried not to read too much into it. Surely, it was just nerves. He wanted Ellie to be done with the son of a bitch and move on.

  To who? You? They still hadn’t talked it out. Zane had to find a way to wiggle out of his admission while keeping their relationship intact. Just call me fuckin’ Houdini.

  “Hey, what’s goin’ on in there.” She nodded to the door. “Is Storm the one talkin’ to Dave?”

  Zane had been too busy defending himself, to pay much attention to what was going on. Damn King for distracting him.

  “I don’t know.”

  And then Ellie got real quiet. “Forget about that for a second. What’s goin’ on out here?” Evidently, she’d sensed the tension between them.

  “Nothin’,” Zane said.

  “What he said.” King smiled, all friendly and calm.

  “Yeah, you’re both terrible liars. Tell me.”