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“Ellie, you passed out. I almost put you back in the truck and drove you to Nags Head, but Tsagasi convinced me to wait. We decided the best thing was to let you sleep.”
“You met Tsagasi.” My mouth cracked with the hint of a grin.
“Stubborn little ass, isn’t he,” Collin grumbled.
“You could say that.” I was already tired again. How was that possible? “What time is it?”
“Two thirty.”
“In themorning? So I wasted a full day.”
“No. You died or came damn near close. Your back might be healed, but you need the ocean to fully recover. But Tsagasi thinks it’s too important for us to meet with your stepmother and her boyfriend for us to leave now.”
“I’m surprised you listened to him.”
“Well, I didn’t at first.” He ran a hand through his ruffled hair, a sly grin spreading across his face. “But the little shit got my attention when he jolted me with a bolt of electricity.”
“He has a way of getting his point across.”
Collin’s shoulders tensed. “Ellie, I’ve watched the video a few more times.”
My head jerked up. “Why?”
“To see if I missed anything. We were both pretty spooked the first time we watched it.”
I fought my rising tears as the memory of David’s battered face filled my head. I refused to break down. I was already weak enough. “And did you figure anything out?”
“No, the only thing that stands out is David’s message about Myra’s boyfriend.” He turned to look at me and took my hand in his. “Whoisher boyfriend? I take it David knows him.”
Of course, Collin wouldn’t know. I hadn’t thought to tell him earlier. “Um…yeah. Steven was a researcher at the colony. He invited David to Manteo to spend two weeks at the colony. They both stayed at our house because the bed and breakfast was full.”
His face lowered closer to mine. “He invited David? So they’re friends?”
“Yes, but David hasn’t talked to him lately, and I know he hasn’t told Steven about the curse.” I looked into Collin’s eyes. “He’s always very careful.”
“But Steven could have gotten information from Myra.”
“Yeah, I guess…”
“Is there anything else tying Steven to this collection?”
“Oh, God.” I nearly passed out as the truth hit me. “Momma. After she saw the Ricardo Estate, she called Steven. She wanted to call the police, but he convinced her to wait.” I couldn’t stop the tears this time. “I don’t understand. When he told me about this a few weeks ago, he seemed genuinely upset.” I shook my head. “He’s been part of this all along.”
Collin sucked in a breath. “Maybe. Maybe not. But we’ll find out. I promise.”
“Okay.”
We sat together for several minutes before he stood. “I’ll be back in a minute. Are you okay?”
I nodded. I knew he was asking if I was okay with him leaving me. There was no way I wasokayin general, and we both knew it.
He got up and left the room, returning less than a minute later with a plate and a glass. “You need to eat to help regain your strength.” He set the plate on my lap and clicked on the bedside lamp.
“A hamburger? Where did you get this? I know for a fact David didn’t have any.”
He scowled. “Your little friend forced me to get you takeout. I refused to leave you unprotected, but three of his friends showed up to stand guard while I was gone.”
I groaned. “His brother and two Nunnehi warriors?”
