Page 46 of Raven's Claw
Jordan scooted over, absently scratching Nyx when she wedged her way between Jordan and Kash, as if the dog needed to be connected to both of them to settle.Another kick to Jordan’s heart because she’d fallen for the mutt, too.Found Nyx’s presence oddly calming, despite her skill set.A fact that made Jordan acutely aware of how human she’d become.
Greer stood outside the café doors as they pulled up, silently watching them pour out of the vehicles.Her gaze landed and held on Jordan, the unspoken weight nearly tripping her.
She’d been right.
The way Greer shifted on her feet.The unwavering focus.How she took in Bodie as if she already knew where he’d been and what he’d been doing.Hell, maybe she did.Maybe Bodie had confided in her.Or maybe the woman was simply that gifted.Sensed they’d all been recently engaged in a tactical maneuver.Could all but smell their heightened awareness and the inevitable edginess that persisted after a fight.
Greer nodded at Bodie.“Thanks for bringing everyone.Though, I get the feeling you were already together.”
Chase stepped forward.He was the group’s go-to where Greer was involved.It was obvious Chase wasn’t the only one who was interested.Greer seemed equally taken by Chase, with his boyish good looks and easy charm.He was definitely the most laid back of the bunch, though Jordan suspected he merely hid it better.That he kept it coiled inside and sooner or later, something or someone would make it all snap.
Chase motioned to the diner.“Everything okay?Bodie’s message sounded cryptic.”
“That’s because it’s a freaking puzzle.First, there’s no obvious indication anyone’s been hurt.Which is damn curious because the second part is there’s a burner cell in there, sitting on the counter with a flame drawn out of blood beside it.”Greer’s gaze shifted to Jordan.“I don’t suppose that means anything to anyone?”
Nothing.
Not a hushed breath or a glance her way.
Just Kash’s team standing strong.Waiting for her to decide if she wanted to let it all slide or confront the obvious answer that Rook had called her out.
Greer huffed.“Look, I know there’s way more going on here than you’ve let on.So, someone better start talking?—”
“It’s for me.”Jordan took a breath and stepped forward.“But you already knew that.”
Greer didn’t so much as blink.“You take down bikers and trained military men like they’re barely a speed bump along the road.You have the situational awareness of a squirrel on crack, and I know, if I did a real deep dark dive on you, Jordan Archer wouldn’t have existed until seven months ago.So, yeah, I think it involves you.”
“Technically, you’d find a pretty convincing backstop, seeing as I made it myself, but you’re right.”Jordan crossed her arms over her chest.“Now, we can either talk about it out here, where any asshole with a parabolic mic can hear us, or we can go inside, and you can let me assess what level of fucked we’re at.Your choice.”
“I want the truth.”
“You really don’t, but you deserve it.”She nodded at the café.“I just need to know what he left before I drag you down that rabbit hole.”
“And when you bolt on me?”
“She won’t.”Kash moved in beside her, Nyx hugging his leg.“You have my word.”
Greer eyed Kash, then looked at Chase.“What about your word?Because your buddy’s obviously in love with her and can’t see past his heart, bleeding out on his sleeve.”
Chase shrugged.“If Jordan wanted to ditch us, there’s nothing any of us could do to stop her.She chose to ride over here, with us, instead.Offered to bring you into the fold if it was necessary.She’s good.”
“All right.”Greer backed up and opened the door.“I’d appreciate it if no one touched anything, though, I doubt a forensics crew would find anything useful.Right, Jordan?”
Jordan sighed.“Nothing you’d want to run through AFIS or any other database without gaining the attention of the kind of agencies who shoot first, worry about who they’d buried, later.”
“And to think I was told working in a small town would lower my blood pressure.”
“Sorry.If it makes you feel any better, I’ll take care of the issue.That’s a promise.”
“We’lltake care of it.”Kash gave her a pointed look.“I know.You’re still new to this team gig.”
“Or maybe, I’m trying to remind all of you that you’re crazy.”Jordan groaned when he simply stood there, unyielding.
She gave his hand a squeeze, then drew herself up — walked inside.Nothing looked out of place, other than the phone sitting near the front.Which only emphasized that this was Rook.That he was playing with her.
“The owner says it was the strangest thing.He got a notification that his freezer had lost power so, he came over, opened the rear door and went inside.He did a quick once-over of the place, swears that,” Greer pointed to the cell and blood stain, “wasn’t there.He checked the freezer, found it working so, he did one more round, and in those thirty seconds, someone had left that behind.”
Jordan walked over.Nothing telling, just a standard burner cell she knew Rook would call her on later, and that fire emblem written in blood.His way of addressing his message, she supposed.“Has anyone touched it?”
