Page 15 of Fence

“But that’s just not the case. You were hurt, and we didn’t want to leave you here the way you were. I’m worried that you might need help. Medical help, I mean.”

I shook my head, even though that subtle motion sent pain rattling around in my skull like a marble in a jar. “It’s all right.”

“You’re sure?” There was a light in his eyes that I couldn’t put my finger on. He was too… eager.

“Absolutely.”

“I do think we should all get out of here.” The one who’d been standing behind Scruffy stepped up and murmured in his ear. “We could always come back if we have to.”

“Have to for what?” I could’ve bitten off my tongue for asking when he looked at me from the corner of his eye.

“You heard that?”

“I have very good hearing,” I shrugged, apologetic. “I’m sorry.”

“Yes, well, as you’ve already said—this isn’t any of your business.”

“But it’s yours?” They wanted to get me moving, which meant they didn’t want to hurt me. Or so I told myself. I was grasping at straws, and I knew it, but I’d never exactly been in a situation like this before. “I mean, if this is something you’re going to pursue, there might be a way I can help you, after all.”

Scruffy’s beard couldn’t hide the way one corner of his mouth quirked up in a smile. “Oh? How’s that?”

“I have tons of research. If you’re looking for information, I bet I have it.”

“Where did you find it?”

“Around. Many different places.”

This seemed to bother them worse than anything else. A ripple went through them, like a group thought they didn’t have to voice.

I gulped.

Scruffy nodded slowly. “Well. I don’t know about my brother or my cousin, but I would very much like to see what it is you’ve found.”

“It’s all back at my apartment…” Where I was not about to lead them. No way.

And he understood that. “We could meet up someplace private. Perhaps a library? It makes the most sense, since we’re discussing research.”

“That sounds good.” I fumbled through my backpack for a small notepad which I’d carried around out of habit for years. It was full of random thoughts, ideas, scribbles. I managed to find a clean scrap and wrote my phone number on it. “I’m free whenever.”

“No job?” Scruffy’s brother—I had guessed right—looked suspicious.

“I’m here on a research grant. It provides for my expenses.”

He really didn’t like me. The feeling was increasingly mutual. I shot him a dirty look which seemed to embarrass him a little. He looked away.

Scruffy pulled my focus back when he said, “All right. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Who should I expect to hear from?”

“Fence.” He smiled wide. “My brother, Gate.” He gestured. “And my cousin, Miles.”

Miles nodded.

I nodded back. “I’ll be hearing from all three of you, then?”

“We’ll see,” Fence said. “Come on. Is your car nearby?”

“Outside the woods.”

He picked up my backpack and shot me a look of admiration, hefting it onto his shoulder. “Ours as well. We’ll hike down with you.”

Because he wanted to be sure I left.

Who the hell were these guys?

And why had I given them my actual phone number?

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