Page 43 of Walking the Bird

Confusion took control over her as she dropped her gaze to her hand, twisting the appendage as if something would magically appear. “I don't understand, Ziere. What about my hand?”

Shaking his head adamantly, “No.” Ziere pleaded with his eyes for Melinda to understand. Focusing his gaze on the stacks of wrapped bundles. “Hand.”

Turning her attention back to the stacks of what she assumed were drugs, searching for anything to do with a hand. What am I missing? she thought to herself, tracing the red ink of Diablo stamped on the side of the package.

“I-I don't understand,” Melinda turned to the group. “I'm sorry, but I don't see anything to do with a hand.”

Logan moved to stand close to Melinda in order to try and help her find the hand Ziere spoke about. Searching the few bundles uncovered from the tarp, he too was confused. “Here, Ms. Stuart.” Moving around her, Logan picked up the edge of the tarp, tossing the heavy material to the side as if it weighed nothing. “Let’s give you a better view.”

Melinda gasped, her hand going to her mouth as her eyes grew wide as she stared at the marking on a bundle on the top of the stack. She’d seen this drawing on her first day at the resort, shoving it away in a file marked not her business.

Logan looked from the shocked woman to the bundles of drugs he’d helped hide several days ago. “You see the hand?”

Cade pulled a shaking Melinda into his embrace, softly whispering in her ear how everything was going to be okay, and to take her time.

Dropping her hands, Melinda took a healthy breath before turning to Logan. “I know who Diablo is.”

---