Page 33 of All Wrong
“So, we’re looking for someone well educated? Like aBreaking Badkind of thing?”
“Maybe,” she murmured. “I mean, you have to have some knowledge to create this shit, right? Ian’s already doing a sweep of local schools and universities, looking for recent staff additions with a background in chemistry, but it’s a wide net to cast. Doesn’t have to be someone in academia either. Could be anyone who works in pharmaceuticals, biotech, textiles—you name it.” She exhaled. “What about you? Any word from Liam or Scythe?”
He shook his head. He hadn’t heard anything, and it was frustrating as fuck. Besides AJ and Jackie, at least three others had admitted to being approached at the fairgrounds, but none were able—or willing—to identify the guys handing out the stuff. He had no way of knowing how many other kids had been hit up and weren’t saying anything.
Adding to his irritation, Torres was showing up everywhere Nick was, like a bad penny. What Torres expected to find by tailing him, Nick didn’t know, but the cop was going to be disappointed.
“Scythe was going to bring it up at church. I’m still waiting to hear.”
Which was even more disturbing. It meant whoever it was, was either smart enough or stupid enough to stay off Scythe’s radar. But that wouldn’t last long. The MC pres had eyes and ears everywhere.
Movement outside the office window turned Nick’s attention to a man strolling up the walkway toward the main entrance. He took in the athletic build, the blond hair.
Mr. Fucking Wonderful.
To Nicki, he asked, “Who is that?” although he already had a pretty good idea.
Nicki followed his gaze. “My guess? The new PE teacher at Pine Ridge. Brett Buckman.”
“What’s he doing here?”
Nicki shot him a sideways glance. “He called earlier, said Lacie was extolling our virtues, and expressed an interest.”
More likely, Corinne had told him she volunteered here and Buckman figured it would help him get intoher pants. Aloud, he said, “An interest in doing what?”
“Sports, physical fitness, personal coaching, that sort of thing.”
Which, Nick supposed, made sense since the guy was a gym teacher. Probably dumber than a sack of hammers too.
“We don’t know anything about him.”
“Hence the interviewing part,” she said with a smirk.
“Want me to handle it?”
Nicki’s pale eyes glittered like diamonds, just as sharp, just as hard. “Youwant to interview a potential volunteer? Why?”
Because Lacie set him up with Corinne and I need to put the fear of God into him. He couldn’t say that though. It would be perceived as something more than it was, especially since Sean might have told her about Corinne giving him a ride home. Thank God Nicki didn’t know about the ride on the back of his Harley or thesnack and sharesession.
He shrugged and affected a bored expression. “Because I know you like doing interviews about as much as I do, and I’d rather do that”—he inclined his head toward the window—“than that,” he said, waving his hand toward the desk.
Nicki continued to study him, lookingintohim more thanathim. His twin knew something was up, just like she always did. Not the specifics, of course, only that he wasn’t telling her everything. Well, nothing new there.
“You know what?” he said, putting his hands up. “Forget I said anything. You can handle all of it.”
“How about you sit in?” she said finally.
“Yeah, whatever.” But when Nicki greeted Mr. Wholesome at the door and invited him into the office, Nick stuck around.
Nick didn’t say much during the interview. Nicki was better with people skills, but he was damn good at glowering and making people uncomfortable.
To his credit, Buckman didn’t seem cowed. He had a firm handshake and a friendly, easygoing manner. He said the right things and smiled in all the right places. He wasn’t offended by Nicki’s questions or put off by her assertion that a background check and drug testing were required to volunteer at The Zone. Said he understood how important it was to be cautious where kids were concerned.
If possible, Nick hated him even more.
When Buckman left an hour later, it was with another firm handshake and easy smile.
“Well?” Nicki asked.
