Page 55 of Tango

“Hey, Logan?” I called as he ducked her towel with a laugh. “A minute?”

“Yeah.” He kissed Savi, and she scowled at him as we headed for the door. “Are you and Beckett good?”

“Yeah. We’re good.”

“Great. So, what’s up?”

“I think it’s time I talked to Keith.” He glanced down at the USB stick, player, and earbuds that I’d pulled from my pocket. “I, ah,” I glanced around, “got a call from Chili.”

“Oh?” Cole looked concerned.

“I’d like your permission to let Keith know first. I think I owe it to him.”

“Understood, and I agree, but I want to be second.”

“Roger that.”

“He’s out with the kids,” Savi said as she popped her head in from the other side of the door. Of course, she heard. Cole shrugged at my look, and I had to smile. I waved at them both as she put her arm around Cole’s waist, then I grabbed my jacket and slipped out of the front door.

The cold air helped clear my head, and the sound of the fresh snow as it crunched under my boots took my head to happier times. I looked at the footprints that led down to the lake. The kids’ shouts could be heard from the top of their sledding hill. I grinned at the rainbow of food coloring that decorated the girls’ snow castle.

I knew the men at my house had watched me press the tile on the wall many times. I also knew they thought it was a second lock to keep the basement door secure. It actually triggered a mic that recorded every moment of what happened down there. I knew that if I ever returned home on my own or if my cover was blown and I had to leave quickly, either way I’d need to prove whose side I really was on. I’d had hidden mics installed the first week I moved in. Not once did I regret having them. Especially now.

As I rounded the boathouse, I found Keith. He sat on an Adirondack style chair and nursed a steamy mug of coffee. It took him a moment to realize I was there.

“Room for one more?” I pointed with my hand still inside my pocket.

“Mm.” He nodded, still in thought. I picked up a doll dressed in bright snow gear and gently set her upright on the table and took the chair next to him. I knew how the girls were with their babies.

“How’s Reagan holding up?”

“Not sure.” He blinked away a memory and focused on me. “She’s not really talking.”

“I can’t imagine what she’s going through.”

“No one can.” He sipped his coffee, and we both watched a deer as it walked across the lawn. It stilled for a moment then lifted its head. Three smaller deer soon appeared and followed her once she knew it was safe.

“Keith. I wanted to talk to you about something, but I’m not sure if it’s the right time.”

“It is.” He didn’t miss a beat.

“Okay.” I tried to think of where to start. “When we sold Castillo on the idea of getting everyone together for a big event, I had to show proof that Lexi was alive, or he’d never believe me.”

“Okay.” His throat contracted but his eyes stayed locked on the deer. “And how did you do that?”

I took a deep breath and hoped he’d see what I was going to offer him was a gesture to help him heal and not something to cause him more pain.

“With this,” I pulled out the USB stick and set it on his armrest. “I recorded everything. I even bugged the room she was kept in.” I paused to gauge his reaction, but he sat like stone. “She left you a message,” I could hardly push the words off my tongue, “after she was shot.” I sniffed and stomped down on my emotion. “I promised her I’d give it to you.” I hesitated. I needed him to know all of it. “There’s a lot more on there. I want you to have it all. I want to give you everything from the moment she arrived until the very end. I don’t want you to ever doubt my loyalty. I was and always have been your brother.” I set the earbuds down next to the recorder then stood as he eyed it. “Then, when you’re done, I’ll answer your next question.”

“Which is?”

“Who shot your wife.”

Ivy

I had my phone up to my face as I slowly made my way into the kitchen. I concentrated on the email I was interested in. It was about a conference I hoped to take in California in the new year. I heard the voices but didn’t take them in right away until I heard my name mentioned.

“…the bar you and Ivy went to? We could set the trap…” Moore stopped talking when I rounded the corner, lowering my phone.

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