Page 130 of Falcon’s Forever

"Police questions?"

"Not right away, unless there's a reason they have to be."

"And don't separate them automatically," she says. "Even if they don't know each other. They might be the only familiar people in the room."

I hadn't thought of that, and I say so.

"Can you write this down?" I ask.

Her eyes widen. "Not right now," I add. "Like a protocol. Something the club can use, so it's a little easier on whoever we bring out."

She stares at me, then says quietly, "Yes."

"Thank you."

"I want the women involved," she says. "Emily, Sarah, Frankie, Maggie, anyone who wants to add to it."

"Good."

My phone buzzes before either of us says anything else.

Rook:

Confirmed female occupants. Minimum three. Possibly more. Rear loading section.

Everything in me changes at once.

Cara sees it on my face. "What?"

I show her. She goes pale. "Three?"

"At least."

"What happens now?"

I want to say I go. The words are right there.

Instead, I message Vulture.

Falcon:

Rook confirms minimum three women. Need Church now.

Then I look at Cara. "We make a plan."

She studies me. "You're not going to run out there."

"No."

"Even now?"

That one lands somewhere close to the bone, not because she doubts me, because I understand exactly why she'd have to ask. "Especially not now."

She exhales, and I take one step toward her, then stop.

"Can I?" I ask.

She knows what I'm asking. She nods, and I put one hand against her cheek. Nothing more than that.