Too smart.
Jade had been smart from the first mile.
Annette’s call stopped. A second later, it started again.
The sound filled the small cabin with every choice I didn’t want to make.
I answered.
Annette didn’t waste hello. “Tell me you found the truck.”
“I found the truck.”
“And Kemp?”
I took in Crystal, then Jade.
Jade’s eyes stayed on mine. Her chin stayed level. Her shoulders stayed square, and she kept herself planted in front of her sister, the pulse beating at the side of her neck where I’d had my mouth.
“I’ve got an identification issue,” I said.
Annette went quiet.
Behind Jade, Crystal’s lips parted.
“What kind of identification issue?” Annette asked.
“The packet is incomplete. I need to verify before I request transport.”
“You have eyes on Kemp?”
“I have an issue that changes the recovery.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
“It’s the answer I’m giving you right now.”
Jade’s expression shifted.
Something in her shoulders dropped half an inch, like she’d been holding a weight so long she didn’t trust the first second without it.
Annette breathed out hard enough for the phone to catch it. “Dex, do not make me guess which rule you’re stepping around.”
“I’m not stepping around it. I’m keeping North Fork out of a mistake until I know how big the mistake is.”
“You need backup?”
“Not at this time.”
“Do you need county?”
“Not at this time.”
“Do you need me to pretend I enjoy this conversation?”
“You’ve never pretended that in your life.”
A beat passed.
