Page 42 of Rules

"You're to return Law Summers' call immediately."

Law. Just the man I needed to talk to, maybe he'll have better news than I've had all day.

"Copy that. En route."

I press the accelerator, heading back to the station while mentally preparing for what comes next. If Michael is involved, as my gut increasingly suspects, bringing Law to town might be exactly what he wants.

The other side of my head speaks up, perhaps Law is excited to inform me that they've caught Michael.

Because if Michael is behind this, and if he's watching me, then he's already seen more than I wanted him to. And in Michael's world, connection means vulnerability. Caring means weakness. And weakness is something he exploits without mercy. So, I'll cling to the idea that Law caught that son of a bitch.

Chapter 16

Tobias

I flipped the lights in my truck as I raced back to the station. Law wouldn't be so persistent to get me a message unless something had happened.

Holly was waiting at the front desk, her expression confirming my suspicions. "I called him when I figured you were close. He's on line one."

I closed my door and took my seat. "Law. What've you got?"

"Bad news, brother." His voice was tight, focused. "We got a hit on Michael."

My breath caught. "Where?"

"Gas station in Reddington. About eight hours from you."

"When?"

"About an hour ago. Got a seventy-eight percent facial recognition match. Mouse tracked the vehicle heading," Law paused, and I could hear him take a breath. "When he left, it looked like he's heading in your direction."

The confirmation of my worst fear sent ice through my veins. "You're sure it's him?"

"As sure as we can be without physical confirmation. The car disappeared into the mountain passes about thirty minutes ago. We lost satellite tracking in the area, but we have it positioned on the other side. We figure he's still a day out from you."

"Fuck." I closed my eyes, processing. Michael coming back here. The break-ins, Sophia's murder. Were they connected, and how?

"I agree. But we can take him. We know what we're up against, and this time I'll hand deliver that prick to prison myself. Fucking feds ruining my record."

"Yeah." I forced myself to focus. "What's your ETA?"

"Ha, I knew you would know we were coming. We're mobilizing now, but we've got equipment to transport. Figure twenty-four hours, minimum, because Mouse and Keyboard are my responsibility. They're coming with, which means I need federal permission to cross state lines with them, and we have to fly private. That takes a little time to get a plane here."

My mind was already racing through contingency plans. "Send everything you have on the sighting. I need to brief my team."

"Already done. Mouse sent the files to your secure email." A beat of silence. "Watch your back, Tobias. If Michael is coming, it's safe to say he's pissed and has nothing to lose. We'll be there as soon as we can."

After hanging up, I stared at the wall for a full minute, trying to gather my thoughts. The picture of Joan on my desk seemed to watch me, her smile frozen in time. What would she think of me now? Sheriff of a town under siege, with a psychopath from my past potentially on his way to finish what he started. And me with no idea how to stop any of it. My day had just gone from bad to horrid.

"Holly," I called. She opened my door. "Everyone in the downstairs meeting room. Now. You too."

"Well, shit. That doesn't sound good." She stepped back out without reclosing the door.

While waiting, I pulled up the files from Mouse. The gas station footage was grainy but unmistakable—Michael, thinner than before but with the same cold eyes, paying cash for gas and energy drinks. A man I hadn't seen before stood next to him. The timestamp confirmed Law's report. The vehicle tracking showed a meandering route through back roads, avoiding major highways.

But why would Michael be so out in the open like that? Not try to conceal his identity? He wasn't even wearing a hat. That didn't sound like the behavior of a man who had lived a secret second life. Michael was smart; he had to know the Feds had resources and tools to locate people. Unless he wanted to be seen. Wanted it known he was heading back to Whispering Pines.

Thank God Cameron and Melanie were in hiding, outside of US soil. That was the best place for them and her mom and aunt. Still, I'd better let the Whitakers know.

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