Page 19 of The Eagle and the Shrew

“You don’t understand. He has a way with people. He’ll warp your mind so that you don’t know up from down or right from wrong. I’ve wanted to tell you everything from the beginning, but I can’t.” Anson winced as he stopped himself from throwing his hands up in frustration.

“Can’t or won’t?” Agent Stone’s voice was sharp, unforgiving even.

Nari wondered if it was a touch of irritation or just the tone he used when interrogating people.

“Can’t. I don’t think you understand how twisted he has my brain. It brings me physical pain to tell you guys anything. I don’t know how else to explain it. A part of me is fighting cooperating so hard, and another just wants this to be over. I—I just don’t know anymore.” Anson hung his head in his hands. Nari wanted nothing more than to console him, but she had a job to do.

“Well, we can’t get hung up on hypotheticals,” Nari stated firmly. She looked to Agent Stone. “Has the lab been able to tell us anything useful?”

“Actually, yes,” Grayson replied, his brown eyes narrowing on Anson as if hoping to read his mind. “The technicians who analyzed the dirt said that it is mixed with traces of oil. Motor oil. I was hoping Anson might have some idea why.”

“I think I know where he is.” Anson seemed to struggle with the next words that emerged from his mouth. All three agents waited, giving him the time he needed to finally do the right thing. He took a large, shaky breath before saying, “At my house, I was able to log into my encrypted server and read the message he sent me. He doesn’t give me exact locations, just clues enough to lead me in his direction.”

He pointed to his nose, indicating that was how he was able to figure out where Grimm was. It made sense to Nari. Grimm would tell him a general idea of location, and leave dirt behind so Anson would sniff out if he was in the right spot or not.

“He said he was moving his base of operations to an old car mechanic’s shop.” Anson exhaled sharply as if giving up the information both pained and relieved him.

“We’ll look for an abandoned car repair shop within fifty miles of the pet store the supplies were purchased from,” Agent Sparks proposed, lighting up with excitement from their first lead in months.

“It’s probably a trap,” Grayson said with a grimace. “Why leave this at your house after you were captured if not to trap agents?”

“If it is a trap, Grimm may be on-site to make sure it goes his way. It could give us the means to finally get him.” Nari was determined to catch her prey. She was laser-focused on the evil doctor. After seeing all the pain he had caused Anson, it was his time to pay for his heinous crimes. At the very least, busting up one more Grimm lab would free some victims and allow them to round up another henchman or two.

“But what if he isn’t there?” Agent Sparks asked, brushing a red curl from her face. “What if it’s just one more dead end? This guy has gotten away so many times…”

“I agree,” Anson said, surprising the group. “And that’s why I think it’s a better idea to lure Grimm here. Create our own trap.”

“How?” Nari asked. “Last time you were out and about, he sent henchmen after you.”

“And look how well that worked,” Anson said, a triumphant glint in his eye as his plan took form. “If there’s one thing I know about Grimm, it’s that he doesn’t give a lot of chances. We got away from three of his goons, and that’s one plus two too many. Grimm will be pissed, and he personifies ‘if you want something done, you better do it yourself.’”

Nari’s excitement picked up as she saw the logic in his idea. “We give him a treat he can’t pass up. We just need Agents Stone and Sparks to leak our location while we prepare a trap here.”

“What?!” Agent Stone appeared offended by the idea. His brown eyes widened at the suggestion. It probably tarnished his honor in some way. Agent Stone would never leak out the safehouse of an agent or a person under their protection.

“Come on, Gray, loosen up.” Cass playfully poked him in the ribs with her elbow. “We’ll make sure it’s known far and wide that it was a ruse, so no FUC could possibly think you’d make such a mistake.”

“But Grimm’s folks won’t know any better,” Nari agreed. “You go back to Anson’s house like you’re doing another sweep for evidence. You talk about seeing him in the cabin. Gripe about the drive, that sort of thing, giving details about how to get there.”

“Maybe even drop in some mention about how injured and vulnerable I am, to sweeten the deal,” Anson added. “Grimm won’t be able to resist.”

“That’s assuming he’s got someone watching the place,” Grayson replied, still seeming grumpy about the idea.

“He will,” Anson said assuredly. “Assuming the EMP took out any listening devices he might have planted in my house, then undoubtedly he would have put a spy in there to report back. I know, because it’s mainly what he used me for. As a shrew, a smaller shifter, I could get close to people and listen without them noticing.”

The look on Agent Stone’s face said he thought this plan was anything but desirable. His lips formed a thin line of displeasure. “We need to run this by Director Cooper first. We’ll also need backup in the area for Nari. Things could go sideways quick.”

Agent Sparks rolled her eyes with a chuckle. “Of course we’ll clear it with Alyce. What do you think this is? The Wild West?”

Agent Stone didn’t appear any less troubled or worried about the plan, though he nodded just the same. He rose from the chair, sliding his cell phone out of his pocket. “Let me make a phone call. I’ll be back.”

Nari gulped. They were really going to do this. As much as she wanted to finally capture Grimm, she had to consider what would happen if they failed. What if Anson got hurt again? He was already healing and vulnerable.

When Grayson returned, it was with a wide smile across his face. “It’s settled. We’ll head back to Anson’s house today while a troop of agents head out to the area to serve as backup.”

Nari looked to Anson. He met her eyes with a strength and determination she’d not seen from him before. This was it, and he knew it. It might be their last chance to capture Grimm.

She just hoped that her plan didn’t doom Ariel, and that, at the end, Anson was alive to see his sister again.

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