Page 86 of Carver’s Crusade

That gets everyone’s attention.

“Where?” Min asks.

“On the roof of my apartment complex,” Raven admits quietly. “Most people think they’re decorative vines.”

Shield stares at her for a long moment.

“You’ve got a damn poison garden on your roof?”

Raven winces slightly. “Technically…”

I almost laugh despite the insanity of the situation.

Only Raven could say something like that while standing beside two dead bodies.

Shield shakes his head slowly like he’s trying to process the woman standing in front of him.

Then his expression hardens again.

“Ashlyn.”

She straightens immediately. “Yeah?”

“Take Raven back to her apartment. Bring back one of the plants.”

Raven blinks. “Why?”

“Because if forensics finds traces of calabar bean in Tony’s system, I need a way to connect it to Nancy.”

Understanding flashes across Raven’s face.

“She’ll need access to the poison,” Shield continues. “And I’ll make sure the trail leads straight to her.”

Ashlyn nods once. “Got it.”

Raven still looks uncertain. “Shield…”

He cuts her off.

“You saved lives, Raven. I’m not saying what you did was right.” His eyes flick toward Tony’s corpse. “But I know exactly what that bastard was.”

Emotion thickens Raven’s expression.

Shield points toward the door. “Go. Before neighbors start paying attention.”

Ashlyn gently takes Raven’s arm and guides her toward the exit. Tanya joins them on Raven’s other side.

Before Raven leaves, she turns back toward me. Fear still lingers in her eyes.

I cross the room fast, cup her face, and kiss her hard.

“You’re coming home to me,” I murmur against her lips.

Her eyes shine with emotion before she nods and disappears outside with Ashlyn and Tanya.

The second they’re gone, Shield looks at me.

“I’ll push the investigation toward Nancy,” he says quietly.