Page 31 of Into the Fall

“But if there is a match to the gun from a bullet at the scene, and it’s found on our ranch where my sister and her kids live…” His hands were in fists again.

“You’re overthinking this.”

“It’s a fucking gun!” Micah snarled and stepped back from me.

“Keep your voice down,” I warned. “A lot of shit was buried about what happened at Chiron, I’ll fix the rest.”

“But, if it’s washed out, if it was still down there, in the hole...” He let out a sharp exhale. “I want it to fall on me. You have to promise to protect Rachel if I’m arrested.”

I touched his arm. “Ifanyone finds a weapon because subsidence pushed it out, I’ll fix everything. You have my word.”

He scrubbed his eyes and cursed. “I should have thrown it in the fucking river or, fuck, anywhere but on our property.”

“Keep your head straight,” I said, keeping my tone firm. “It will be a mess up there, but we have time. You need to stay calm and focus on the best-case scenario.”

“And what the fuck is that?” Micah snapped and then shook his head. “Shit, sorry.”

“Best case? The gun is long gone, and you have nothing to worry about.”

“And the worst case?”

“They find it.”

“Shit. Fuck!”

“I’ve got your back.”

Micah didn’t know it, but this extended family was under my protection, whether they liked it or not. They were my responsibility, and the thought of a mission of sorts brightened my day. I knew I’d fix whatever was found. I was so confident that I could almost feel the solution in my hands. There wasn’t a single doubt in my mind—I would ensure everything turned out fine. It was what I did, and no one would get hurt on my watch.

I approached Neil and gave a polite nod. “Sheriff.”

“Connor,” he replied, just as polite but with a touch of tension.

“What have we got?” I asked and leaned over. A quick assessment revealed battered suitcases and not much else. The rain had started up again, tiny rivulets of water running into the hole.

“You need to step away,” Neil said as he tugged at the crime scene tape and forced me to take a few steps away.

“What’s down there?” I asked.

“Nothing you need to worry about,” Neil said, his voice firm.

But I wasn’t about to be brushed off that easily. I ducked under the tape in one smooth movement and reached the edge. I could see the cases scattered at the bottom of the hole. Without a second thought, I levered myself over the side and down the steep incline, my training as a SEAL kicking in, keeping light on my feet, and moving with all the athleticism and precision ingrained in me.

At the bottom, I did a quick check, not touching anything. No gun was in sight, but I was up close with oldluggage and bones. Neil descended just as fast, more of a slip-fall than a graceful descent, fury etched on his face. He reached my side in no time, his anger radiating off him.

“You’ve crossed the line this time, Connor,” Neil spat, pulling out his handcuffs. “I’m arresting you.”

I raised an eyebrow, more intrigued than worried. “For what?”

“Tampering with evidence,” he said, yanking my hands behind me and snapping the cuffs onto my wrists with a finality that brooked no argument. “You have the right to remain silent…”

“Jesus, Neil, I haven’t tampered with anything that nature didn’t already destroy,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. This wasn’t the first time I’d pushed Neil’s buttons, and it wouldn’t be the last.

Neil’s face reddened, his temper high, and he leaned in and lowered his tone. “You’ve just dived headfirst into an active crime scene, Connor.”

“Someone needed to get the shit out of the hole,” I defended.

“Someone who isn’t you?—”

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