Page 48 of Burning Secrets

Complicated.

She could hear the conversation from the yard as she approached.

“Are you serious? I told you—Viper made me. I go back in there and I’m a dead man.”

The return voice emerged smaller, tighter. Rio. “We have no choice. We have to track the suitcases. Figure out their next move.”

A sound, something breaking, and she stilled right outside the door. What?—

“Sorry,” Crew said, and he did sound quieter. “That was an accident.”

“It’s just a glass. But you should calm down, Crew.”

“I’m calm.”

She braced her hand on the wall, just outside the stoop. Good. At least one of them was.

“We know they’re highly funded. Once Jamie finds the source, we can track it. But in the meantime, we need to know their endgame, or at least what they’re up to.”

Silence.

“Crew. I’ll clean it up. Listen. The sooner you get back, the sooner we finish this.”

And just like that, the screen door slammed open. Crew stepped out, standing on the step, holding a rag to his hand, just breathing.

She flattened herself against the building, but of course, he could just look over and see her. But he seemed not to. He raised his face to the sky, closed his eyes, breathed in air.

Her heart thumped, seeing him standing, hands on his hips, legs planted, Lumberjack Batman almost steadying himself.

Then Rio. “Crew. Come back inside.”

Silence as Crew just breathed.

“What are you doing?”

Crew sighed. “Just remembering what freedom smells like.”

Then he turned and headed back inside.

And she just sank against the cabin, her hands on her face, trying not to weep.

No. This wasn’t right.Please, God.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

She leaned up, also stared at the heavens. And then Rio’s words thrummed inside her.We need to know their endgame, or at least what they’re up to.

Wait. Yes.

She stepped up on the stoop, then opened the door and went inside.

Rio looked up from where they studied a map at the kitchen table. Crew too, and something like pain washed over him.

She ignored it. “I know exactly what their next move is.”

Rio frowned, but Crew drew in a breath.

“But you’re going to have to trust me.”

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