Page 143 of The Quiet Witness

Plan, all part of the plan.

“You have been monitoring Lucien’s house over the past three days.” Lucien’s head whipped to Trey, forcing shock in his eyes. “State what you saw and Trey… I know you and Lucien are close, but I would see to it that the words you speak now are truthful. Consider it a test of… loyalty. If that is indeed where we wish to stray to tonight.”

“I thought I had proven myself over the years. If you continue with this crusade, with this breach on my privacy… Will,” Lucien shook his head. “I must say I don’t know where this will end. Whatever happened to taking people on their word?”

“You happened.” Max hissed.

“Max.” Will had raised a hand. “Had it been any other matter, Lucien I would have taken your word for it, no question. Now Trey, do enlighten us.”

The latter flashed Lucien an apologetic glance and coughed, clearing his throat while deciding on who was to live or die tonight.

But instead, his colleague tried a different route. “Sir, if I may, before I share more, are we certain we want to go there?”

Max’s face split into a sneer. “That’s rich coming from his BFF. Always looking out for him aren’t you?”

The elegant man waved his hand in agitation. Not one to be in the center of attention. “No, Max, I’m thinking about all of us, the actions we take set a precedent to those aware of our movements. Pretty soon it will be possible to pry into anyone we ‘dislike’, then where will we be?” His hand fell to his sides, conveniently showing he was armed. “Surely you like your privacy, knowing your favorite pastimes.”

Daniel and Emilio nodded along to his train of thought while Max snorted. “You, my friend are always welcome to join right in on the fun.”

“Worries for later, Trey.” Their employer glanced at him, the threat obvious in his whole posture. “Spit it out. Now.”

“Fine.” His foot tapped against the floor once. “I have not seen anything remotely suspicious telling me Lucien is hoarding the girl.”

“None the wiser?” Will asked.

“None.” Trey glanced between his boss and Lucien. “I assure you.”

Lucien crossed his arms in front of him in a show of confidence. While on the inside his blood was roaring, so close. So close to sure death. But his colleague, no, his friend. Had put his own life on the line. His credibility. Something he would never forget.

“Now that is settled, I take it I can leave?” He blurted out the words, annoyance lining every syllable.

“Not yet, Lucien. Max… show me you can contain yourself. I wish for the grave to be visited as soon as possible. Gentlemen, put those muscles to good use, dig her up, verify it’s her, and let’s be done with this madness. The damage of tonight will have to be dealt with after.”

If it ever could be undone. Because if he hadn’t in fact saved Kate’s life, tonight would have shattered any and all loyalty to Will.

Emilio stiffened in his seat, Trey’s eyes closed again. The only signs they’d show. But none of them knew the lengths he had gone to.

Max nodded his head. “If you will, sir, I think I’m going to need that date of mine.” He held Lucien’s gaze. “To ease the feeling.”

“Fine. You are all free to leave.” Chairs scraped over the flooring as every killer but Max scrambled to escape the tension.

But Will’s voice rang out once more. “Lucien… Do not ever play such games again, if you value your life.”

Chapter 61

Is It Still Home

The black flash of Lucien’s car rounded the corner of the shelter. Kate couldn’t do anything but stare at the vehicle’s turning wheels, trying to shove down the feeling of her stomach spinning with them.

“If anyone does it. It’ll be me.”

When they arrived at the shelter, her feet had faltered. Passing the empty parking spot that Isabel’s KIA should have been in, she’d frozen, her eyes tied to the concrete that had once been slick with blood. Lucien had walked beside her, one hand resting on her shoulder as he personally dropped her off inside with a final reassuring squeeze and his whispered words of comfort. “It’ll all be over soon.”

But then… “Tonight Trey, I will handle her tonight.”

Kate had nearly fallen out of her chair before her fingers had found the red button and she ended the call. Now here she was, waiting on the sidewalk like a lamb that may or may not be brought to slaughter. Her legs were growing weaker with every passing second.

Would he lie or tell the truth?