Page 23 of Montana Memory

I straightened my shoulders, squared my stance. Let my movements loosen, like I had all the time in the world. Instead of keeping my head down, I looked people in the eye. Made sure there was a hint of amusement in my gaze, like I knew something they didn’t.

I pulled a pack of gum from my pocket, popped a stick into my mouth.

Then I walked back inside. The same guard who checked me in an hour ago barely looked up. Didn’t recognize me at all. I shot him a grin. “Busy day?”

He sighed. “Aren’t they all?”

I chuckled, shaking my head like we were two guys shooting the shit. And just like that, I was in.

Alan Ard walked into the visitation room with a cocky swagger that didn’t belong to a man in cuffs. His orange jumpsuit was wrinkled, the collar stretched, and the bruises on his jaw and cheekbone had deepened to an ugly mix of purple and green. Someone had gotten to him. Good.

He dropped onto the metal chair across from me, squinting like he was trying to place me. I leaned back in my seat, working my gum slowly, watching him. Letting him come to his own conclusions.

He picked up the receiver. I lifted mine, resting my elbow on the table like I had all the time in the world.

His lip curled, the split in the corner reopening slightly. “You don’t look like a lawyer.”

I smirked, tilting my head. “Do I look like I give a shit about your legal problems?”

That got a reaction. He let out a short, humorless chuckle. “Fair enough. So, who the hell are you?”

I exhaled through my nose, like I was debating whether I wanted to talk. Then I gave him just enough. “Someone who’s got a problem with Caleb Moyer.”

That flipped a switch. His entire posture shifted forward, his interest piqued. Helikedthat. Bastard. Alan Ard was the type of guy who thrived on having enemies, fed off conflict like it gave him a reason to exist.

His smirk widened. “Moyer’s a cockroach. Him and his sister.” His tone turned mocking. “Well…his sisterwas. She’s as good as dead now. You know, from what I hear.”

My fingers curled under the table, but I forced my expression to stay neutral.Stay calm. Let him talk.

Alan watched me, like he was waiting for me to react, then gave a slow shake of his head. “You didn’t think I’d still be keeping tabs? Jada got herselffucked up, man. Dumb girl thought I actually gave a shit about her.” He snorted, his grinwidening. “Nah, she was justuseful. I needed her to handle Kenzie. That’s it.”

My jaw locked. I breathed deep through my nose. I would not give him the satisfaction of any sort of reaction.

“You used her,” I said, keeping my voice level.

He spread his hands, the chain on his cuffs clinking against the table. “And it worked. Right up until she decided to grow a conscience. That’s when she got herself into real trouble.”

I forced my fingers to unclench. Forced myself to lean back and feign boredom. “That drug, the memory one,” I said, voice casual. “Where’d you get it?”

Alan narrowed his eyes, suspicion creeping in. “Why? You looking for some?” His grin turned sharp. “I don’t have any left, but I could point you to the right people—for a price.”

“Not looking to buy,” I said easily. “Just wondering how it works.”

He scoffed. “All you need to know is no one comes back from that shit.” He flicked a glance at me, trying to read my angle. “Why? You worried about little Jada?”

I didn’t blink. “Just making sure it’s permanent.”

He leaned forward, lowering his voice like we were sharing a secret. “Oh, it’s permanent. And even if,if, by some miracle it can be reversed? Jada’s got nothing left. No past, no future, no one who gives a shit.” His voice turned smug. “That’s worse than being dead.”

My fingers twitched. I let myself imagine slamming his face into the glass between us. Let myself picture the blood, the sound of breaking bone. How good it would feel.

But I forced my hands to stay loose, forced my breath to stay even. “What about an antidote?”

His smirk faltered just a fraction. “An antidote?” He snorted. “Good luck. Ain’t one.”

I studied him. “You sure about that?”

Alan scoffed. “Look, I don’t know, and I don’t care. If Jada hadn’t been such an interfering little bitch, I wouldn’t be back in here. She deserves what she got, and yeah, I’m pretty fucking sure it’s permanent.”

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