After several moments of silence, I looked up. Jared’s expression was impatient. “This could have waited.”
“I disagree,” Claire said in a concerned tone. “Bex will be watching Ryan for me. I won’t let them come after Nina again.” She looked at me with a maternal softness.
“What do you plan to do?” I asked, feeling a twinge in my chest.
“I’m going to find every person involved, every enemy of Jack’s, every cop that is willing to avenge Grahm’s death…and I’m going to eliminate the threat.” She looked at Jared. “It’s what Dad would have done.”
Jared looked at his baby sister with an appreciative smile. “And when do you plan on doing this?”
Claire walked over to the table and unzipped the hot pink duffle bag. Within seconds, she molded a rifle from several pieces and then clicked on the scope, swinging the thick black strap over her shoulder.
“When are you coming back?” I asked, leaning forward in reaction to her apparent departure.
“When the job’s done,” she smiled, loading her holsters. She lifted her foot to the table and twirled a large knife around her finger, shoving it into a case in her thick, black boot.
Jared rested his hands gently on her shoulders, kissing her forehead. “Watch your six,” he said, joining me on the couch.
“Claire….” I said, feeling my eyes gloss over.
She laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. I never miss.” Her eyes became unfocused and her expression turned menacing. “They ended their lives when they aimed at my sister.”
She pulled her sunglasses over her eyes, and her straight, platinum bangs fell over the top of the rims. Walking to the door, she gripped the strap of her rifle with one hand, and twisted the knob with the other.
“Gotta go to work,” Claire smiled wickedly, and then shut the door.