Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 113272 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113272 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 566(@200wpm)___ 453(@250wpm)___ 378(@300wpm)
“No one in this county or the surrounding ones has reported a similar death that meets these criteria,” Kellan told her.
“What does that mean?” she asked.
“We’re not sure,” Eli told her. “It could mean something or nothing. That’s what Kellan and I are looking into now. That’s why we got called back to headquarters. Our boss wanted to let us know what they found and that he was concerned with the pattern of deaths across Texas. So everyone thinks we’re on leave, but we’re actually doing some investigation into this drug and whether it’s being made or distributed from somewhere nearby.”
That’s why they were called away? Now she felt terrible. They had an important case with people dying and she’d been upset because she’d pushed them away and then couldn’t find them to apologize.
“Hey, you didn’t know.” Eli reached out to cup her chin in his hand. “All right? We should have contacted you.”
“We thought we’d be gone a day at most,” Kellan added. “Our brothers were mad at us for just disappearing too.”
“I saw Wyatt and Carson yesterday,” Jake asked.
“Uh yeah, they’re home for a bit. All of them are, except Tucker and Pierce,” Eli said.
She got the feeling that wasn’t something that happened often.
They should be with them now instead of looking after her.
“That’s good,” Jake said. “Just as long as no one decides to cause any trouble.”
“Don’t know what you mean,” Kellan said in his dry voice. “My brothers are all upstanding citizens. And Eli and I are FBI agents while Duncan is your deputy.”
Jake eyed him for a moment as though he was trying to figure out whether he was joking or not.
She was coming to realize that a lot of people didn’t understand that Kellan had a sense of humor.
“I’m not talking about you three. I’m talking about Shaw, Remington, and Tucker. If he comes home. And Pierce and Carson. Hell, all of them. Including you two. Duncan is the only sane one out of all of you. I’ll talk to him about you guys behaving.”
“Jake, you’re going to give yourself an ulcer worrying about stuff that won’t happen. Remington and Shaw have been here for a while without creating any issues.”
Jake just grunted. “I guess so.”
“And we’re not the Malones,” Kellan added. “We’re not fucking wild.”
Jake sighed. “Well, that’s true. No one is like the Malones. I thought they might have calmed down once they all got married and started having kids. But there have been reports of two men matching the description of Beau and Butch Malone singing about Clive Baxter in a bar in Freestown three nights ago. It wasn’t a flattering song and he’s looking to sue since it’s now all over the internet.”
“Clive Baxter is a dick,” Kellan said. “He always has been.”
“Yes, well, there are also some rumors that he was rude to Scarlett Malone the other day when she was walking around in Freestown with her children.”
“There you go,” Eli said. “Justified.”
She wasn’t exactly following what they were saying. Who were the Malones? And why were they considered worse than the Jones boys? Scarlett was obviously married to one of them or a relative. And they were getting revenge for her?
“Clive is humiliated and not happy. Anyway, let’s get back to you, Arabella. Part of the reason you came to Haven is because of Lee? And you haven’t heard from him since your father’s death?” Jake asked.
“No. That’s weird, right?”
“Seems strange.” Jake nodded. “I’d really like a description of him and any more information you have.”
She gave him everything she could think of.
“And you think Lee had something to do with the break-in at your place?” Eli asked.
“Well, maybe not him directly. But what if he followed me? What if he’s angry that I left? There have been a couple of times where I’ve felt like I’m being watched.”
“Watched?” Kellan asked. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Yes, or about Lee,” Jake said, leaning forward and resting his forearms on his knees. “Both things that you should have told me.”
“I thought I was imagining things,” she said. “And I was starting to think that Lee wasn’t going to be an issue so it seemed pointless to tell anyone.”
“Pointless,” Kellan muttered. “This is your safety we’re talking about, Arabella.”
“I know.” She winced.
“This is the sort of thing that I needed to be aware of,” Jake said. “Even if he’s not a threat, you’re scared of him.”
God. He was right.
She was scared of Lee. And she should start listening to her gut rather than dismissing her feelings as stupid or not important.
The way her father always had.
“I was never allowed a voice growing up. When I spoke up my father would tell me I was an idiot or stupid. You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“It can be hard to believe that someone cares about you, that they might want to help you,” Jake said. “But lots of people here do. And we need to know when you’re in trouble, even if it’s just a feeling and nothing comes of it. Okay?”