Page 67 of The Devil You Know
Nelson stilled and looked away.
“Word on the street says you’re an honest cop,” Jenna continued. “Can’t have been easy. Going back might not be ideal if Osborn’s cronies link you to his ‘disappearance.’”
“What’s the spin going to be on that?” Seth asked. “Tax evasion? Cartel hit? Securities fraud?”
Jenna shrugged. “Still working on that. Probably a storyline that puts his accomplices and collaborators on notice. He’s not the only kingpin, unfortunately.”
She turned back to Nelson. “We’re going after the dirty cops who turned a blind eye to Osborn’s dealings all these years. It could get…uncomfortable…at headquarters. On the other hand, our agency is always looking for good people.”
Nelson raised his head; surprise clear on his face. “I think I’d like to hear more about that once I catch my breath.”
She laid a business card on the table. “Contact me when you’re ready. We’ll talk.” Jenna turned toward Seth and Evan.
“I know better than to try to recruit you—you’re not the type. But we can be allies. You don’t have to do this completely on your own,” Jenna told them. Evan’s respect for the agent rose at not getting a hard sell.
“We’ll think about it,” Evan said, “depending on the situation.”
She handed Evan a card as well. “If you lose the card, Joe can usually find me. We seem to run in the same circles.”
With that, Jenna rose and headed for the door. “You’ve got the security detail through tonight. Mort will be by later to check on you. My team will clear out tomorrow morning, and I can’t vouch for who might show up after us, so you may want to plan accordingly.”
“Thanks,” Seth said, and Evan nodded his agreement.
“Always happy to help,” Jenna replied, closing the door behind her.
“How are you doing?” Evan asked Nelson, not sure what kind of answer he’d get.
“Frankly? It’s all a bit much to take in,” Nelson admitted.
Now that he’d dropped his bluster, he didn’t seem like a bad guy. Evan was willing to give Nelson a second chance. Seth looked skeptical, but didn’t say anything.
“I went on the run with Seth four days after we met when he saved me from the Richmond witch disciple,” Evan said. “I didn’t entirely believe him at first, either. I’d heard about the family ‘bad luck,’ but not the real reasons for it. It took a while to wrap my head around what Seth told me. Once you know, there’s no way to go back.”
“Kinda figured that,” Nelson said. He took a long gulp of coffee. “Guess I’ve got some decisions to make.”
Evan made sure Seth and Nelson had everything they needed, then stepped outside to call Parker and reassure his panicking brother that they had survived and were coming back. He saw Mort, the doctor, pull up in his truck.
“Things go okay last night?” Mort asked. “They sleep good?”
Evan nodded. “I was worried, but neither of them had nightmares—at least for now.”
“Those will come,” Mort warned. “Sooner or later. It’s the brain’s way of dealing with trauma.”
“Not the first rodeo for either of us with that,” Evan said. “We’ll manage.”
He brought the doc inside. Seth and Nelson grudgingly went along with being poked and prodded. Mort checked wounds for infection, changed the dressings, and repeated his instructions for the painkillers and antibiotics.
“I think I’ve done all I can.” He packed his bag to leave. “Take care of yourselves. Try not to undo all my hard work.”
When Mort had gone, Seth looked to Evan. “Now what?”
Evan tossed him the remote. “Now, you two rest. Find a movie or watch a game. Sleep. I’ll order sub sandwiches for lunch, and you can eat when you’re hungry.”
“What about you?” Seth looked petulant.
“I didn’t get whammied and tortured, so even though I got shitty sleep, I’m in somewhat better shape,” Evan replied, raising an eyebrow. “I have some books on my phone. Might be persuaded to take a nap if you’re nice to me,” he added with a grin.
Seth sighed as if he knew when he’d lost. He glanced at Nelson. “You want to pick?” he asked, holding up the remote.
