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“You seem to know a lot. I’m guessing it’s not your first time here?”
“We needed somewhere close where we could search for you.”
“And did you? Search for us, I mean?”
“Every damn day. We just had no clue where you went down. The flight path you filed meant shit when you went way off course.”
Yeah, that’s exactly why I did it. I don’t say that out loud, though. “That’s what happens with emergency landings. We were lucky to find somewhere to land the plane.”
“Yeah, real lucky. By rights, you should be dead,” Cooper states, his eyes boring into mine, searching for answers he won’t be getting from me.
Oz grunts, his body tense. I’m guessing he’s finally picking up that something isn’t right.
“Someone was definitely looking down on us, that’s for sure. Like Zig told you on the chopper, the three of us walked away with just bumps, bruises, and some superficial cuts we were able to tend to using the first aid kit,” Oz says easily, leaning back in his chair, the picture of calm, cool, and collected.
Cooper looks at him before his eyes move back to mine. He steps between Skinner and Dillon and sits in the chair in the middle of them both.
“Were you unconscious at any point, and when you woke up, did you feel good—better than you thought you might?”
I frown, trying to adopt a confused expression when all I want to do is gouge his eyes out with my thumbs. It’s hard to keep my anger in check, but knowing Salem needs me gives me the strength I need to keep it locked down.
“Not really. Honestly, everything hurt for about a month after the crash. The worst part, though, was the lack of water. That’s what nearly killed us.”
He runs his hand through his hair, frustrated. “What’s going on, Cooper? I’m not trying to be a dick, but I’m tired, hungry, and want to check on Salem.”
“Salem is fine. We’re just running some tests on her.”
“Even so, I’m sure this can wait,” Oz complains.
I get up, done with this shit and wanting to go to Salem, when Dillon and Skinner stand and point their guns at Oz and me. I guess playtime is over.
“What the fuck, Cooper?” Oz curses, jumping to his feet, though there is no surprise in his voice, only anger.
“I really do have to insist that you sit back down, boys.”
I grit my teeth and sit slowly, Oz following suit.
“What tipped you off?” Cooper asks with a sigh.
“You mean besides the fact you’re asking a bunch of fucking odd questions and treating us like we work for you, not the other way around?”
Dillon and Skinner look at Cooper in surprise.
“What? You didn’t think he was in charge, did you?” I snort.
I look at Cooper with the promise of pain and retribution in my eyes. “It was when you mentioned the fuel. The only way you would know we had a fuel leak would be because you were aware of it beforehand.”
“Ah, shit, of course,” he shakes his head and curses. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry it’s come to this. I really am.”
“So, you work for the government? Who though? The Feds, CIA? No, let me guess. Some secret off-the-books black ops group? How long?”
“I’m merely acting as a consultant.” He rubs his hand over his mouth, not giving away any more than he already has. Hell, he probably doesn’t even know who exactly he’s working for himself.
“Look, Kay is sick. Doctors say she has a year, max.”
I like his wife, Kay. She’s a good woman, but I don’t show him any kind of reaction. My capacity to give a fuck went out the window the first time he put Salem in danger.
“And what? Kay’s dying wish was to kill Zig and me?” Oz snorts, leaning back like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
