AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Tyler shrugged and took a chip. “You still haven’t said what you’re doing here.”
“I got a text this morning that I should meet someone here about the fires.”
“From who?”
“I don’t know who. I thought it was you.”
“Show me.”
Michael hesitated—then unlocked his phone, clicked on the texts, and handed it over. It felt weird to trust Tyler with something he hadn’t shared with his brothers, but this felt safer, too. His brothers had a big stake in this game. Tyler didn’t.
Tyler scrolled. For a while.
Michael fidgeted. It was seven-fifteen now, and no one had come through the door.
“This guy said you could bring your brothers.” Tyler handed back the phone, and Michael slid it into his pocket. “And the police.”
“I know.”
“And you didn’t think maybe that was important?”
“I’m not leading my brothers into a trap.”
“Do they know you’re here?”
The question hit Michael hard. His brothers had no idea—but admitting it out loud seemed dangerous. “You’re asking a lot of questions.”
Tyler picked up another chip. “Jesus, Merrick. Maybe you could tone down the paranoia. Why didn’t you bring the cops, then?”
“The cops think I’m involved in whatever happened to my neighborhood.”
“So you’re holding on to proof that you’re not?”
“A bunch of pictures from a random phone number? That’s not proof of anything. Hell, it’s proof that I am involved. It’s proof that more people are in danger.”
Some of the aggression leaked out of Tyler’s expression. “The blonde in those pictures. Your girlfriend?”
“Yeah.” He paused. “Her father is the county fire marshal.” Tyler gave a low whistle. “So where is this guy you’re supposed to meet?” He looked around. “You’ll know him when you see him? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t know.” Michael sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I feel like I should be able to figure this out.” He looked around again. The more time that went by, the more he felt certain this was an effort to separate him from his brothers. He twisted his hands together and fished his phone out of his pocket to send a text to Gabriel.
All OK?
His heart beat double time as he waited for a response, but he didn’t have to wait long.
Yeah. What’s up?
Nothing, just checking. Waiting for other guy to get here.
Michael blew air through his teeth and set down his phone again. “Why here? Why now? And why is he late?”
“Text him and ask.”
Michael felt like an idiot for not thinking of it himself. He typed out a quick message.
Either I don’t see you or I don’t know you.
Then he hesitated before pressing send.
