Jared grinned, amused with Ryan’s story. “I’m with you. You’re full of crap, but I’m with you.”
“I think everyone that’s dead is a threat to you somehow because they know too much about whatever it is that you do. The question is, how much is too much? And how much more can Claire tell me before you take me out?”
Jared laughed out loud. “You should ease up on the cop shows, Ryan. Now, if you don’t mind, my fiancé and I have wedding shopping to do.”
“Wait,” Ryan said. “You’re not married, yet?” He looked to me, genuine surprise on his face.
“We’ve been busy,” I said, embarrassed.
Jared’s jaw tensed. “The date has been set. June first. We’ll be sure to send you an invitation…that is if I haven’t taken you out, yet.”
The wheels spun against the wet snow, but the Escalade didn’t move. “Damn,” Jared said.
He pushed open the door, forcing Ryan to jerk back, and disappeared behind the vehicle. The snow drift kept me from getting out on my side, so I climbed over the console, and Ryan helped me to the ground.
“What are you doing?” I asked Jared.
“Digging the truck out. It’ll be just a minute, Sweetheart,” he assured me.
“Do you want help?” Ryan asked.
“No,” Jared said quickly.
I turned to Ryan, crossing my arms. “You don’t really think Jared is responsible for your partner’s death, do you?”
“If he is, Kit’s not the first cop he’s killed. There is a single connection tying every single one of those deaths together. Maybe you could talk your boy into keeping his gun in his holster until I figure it out. Or maybe you could just tell me.”
“I don’t know anything,” I said, feigning offense.
“I saw what Jared is capable of the night I was stabbed. I’ve experienced first hand what Claire can do. They aren’t…normal. I know Grahm and the other cops were dirty, but Anderson was a good man. He didn’t deserve to die. Quit treating me like I can’t keep a secret and just tell me.”
I looked past Ryan to see Jared stand up, look around, and then lean against the Escalade, freeing it from the ruts without effort.
“Okay, Baby. We’re out. Let’s go.”
Ryan walked to the Escalade, evaluating the slide marks the tires had made. He craned his neck at Jared. “I’m going to figure this out. It would save us all a lot of time and energy if you’d just tell me.”
“Let’s go, Nina,” Jared said.
I nodded, climbing into the cab.
“Maybe I could help you. Have you thought about that?” Ryan said.
Jared took off, leaving him in the snow-buried street.
I pulled my coat tighter around me and stuffed my hands under my arms. “It wouldn’t hurt to have a connection in the police department.”
“Not Ryan,” Jared said.
“You sure talk a lot of smack to Claire about thinking with your emotions. You’re not being objective at all!”
Jared ignored me, instead, pulling over when he noticed a woman trying to dig the snow out from under her buried tires.
A short drive around town turned into a three hour-long aid mission to free stranded motorists from the ice and snow. I would pretend to help, and Jared would pull or push cars and trucks out of snow drifts, ditches, and the side of the road.
It felt good to use Jared’s abilities to help others; even if it was something small.
When we returned to the house, Claire’s Lotus was in the drive, along with a police cruiser.
“I don’t believe it,” Jared said, helping me from the passenger side. He carried me through the snow to the side entrance, and then stomped through the house until he found them.
They sat in the kitchen at the breakfast table, laughing. Claire seemed genuinely happy for once, and I smiled at the sight.
“How long have you two been here?” Jared demanded.
Claire’s smile faded. “Don’t worry, I waited for you. I told Ryan you’d tell him what you thought he needed to know.”
“No questions asked,” Ryan promised.
Jared’s hand balled into fists at his side, and the tendons in his neck were strained. It took every ounce of willpower he had not to charge.
“I’m not telling him anything,” Jared growled. “Leave, before I do something we’ll all regret.”
He turned his back to Claire, and she jumped up to stop him.
“Wait,” I said, landing the palms of my hands on Jared’s chest. “Sit, calm down…we’ll just talk,” I said, nodding to Claire and Ryan. “Let’s just sit down and hear them out, and if you still feel the same way, we’ll go.”
Jared took a deep breath, and then nodded, taking a seat across from Claire. I sat beside him, placing my hand on his knee.
Claire mimicked his sigh, turning to Ryan. “Anything Jared tells you is privileged information, Ryan. Nina has lied to you, to her best friends, to her family. Are you sure you want to know?”
Ryan glanced at me.
I leaned forward. “It’s not fun knowledge to have. In this case, ignorance is bliss. I recommend you walk away, but it’s your decision.”