Page 50 of Carver’s Crusade

“I started digging through Tony’s social media accounts after the attack. After I heard about his alibi,” she says quietly. “I found all his old posts with tagged photos and made a list of his friends. Friends who have been part of his life for years. There are five of them. Five men who he has been close to since high school.”

Shield straightens slightly. “Names?”

Raven nods. “Paul Storr, Scott Tyler, Jay Banks, Cliff Mellor, and Andrew Rollings.”

I repeat the names in my head, locking each one into place. Five men connected to the bastard who attacked her. Five men who add another layer of danger.

“You think they’re helping him?” I ask.

“I don’t know.” Her voice shakes a little. “But after what I saw last night…” She trails off.

I lean closer before I can stop myself. “What happened last night?”

Raven exhales slowly. “I staked out Tony’s gym.”

The words hit me like a slap.

“You did what?”

Her eyes flash with irritation. “I needed answers, Carver.”

“You could’ve gotten yourself killed.”

“But I didn’t.” She squares her shoulders, stubborn as hell. “I parked across the street and watched the gym until he closed up. Then I followed him. He was driving his yellow Mustang.”

Shield’s expression darkens. “You followed him.”

“Yes.”

I scrub a hand over my mouth, already hating wherever this story is going.

“He drove into a residential area,” Raven says. “At first I thought maybe he was visiting somebody, but then other vehicles started showing up.”

My stomach knots.

“How many?” Shield asks.

“Four.”

Silence crashes into the room.

Raven swallows hard. “I recognized the men from their profile pictures online. All of them were there, except for Andrew Rollings. I’m guessing he owns the house where they met.”

I glance at Shield, and the look on his face mirrors exactly what I’m thinking.

Shield jots down the address before using his phone to contact Maestro. He gives the address to Maestro and tells him to give him the name of the person living there. After a few minutes, he ends the call and nods. “The house belongs to Rollings,” Shield confirms. “He’s given Tony an alibi or two before. What happened next?”

I watch Raven, trying to decide whether I’m more furious or terrified by what she’s telling us.

Probably both.

She sits curled into the couch cushion with her knees drawn up. Min hands her a cup of tea, which she takes with a small thank you. The weak yellow light from the lamp beside her paints shadows beneath her eyes, making her look exhausted and far too fragile for the kind of danger she keeps throwing herself into.

Shield stays quiet in the recliner, but I can feel his attention sharpening with every word.

Raven takes a breath. “I stayed parked near the house for almost an hour.”

“Andrew’s house?” I ask.