Page 84

FORREST

I spotted Bruce on a pier with two guys wearing tank tops and shorts. He wore a red baseball cap, a black T-shirt, and camo shorts. Another group of peoplecheered further down the lake. A cool breeze blew in from the lake that glistened from the bright sun. I wouldn’t mind the Texan weather if it were temporary.

Even in my T-shirt and shorts, beads of sweat formed on my head. I walked over to a shaded area with picnic tables and sat down. Beside me was a table filled with food, packages of beer, sodas, plates, napkins, and utensils.

An older man strode up wearing a cowboy hat, tipping it at me. “Howdy. You fishin’, son? Which group are you with?”

“No, I’m here for moral support.” I jerked a chin toward the pier. “Meeting up with my friend Bruce.”

He turned and shouted, “Bruce! Your buddy is here. What you doing over there?” He smiled, revealing a missing tooth. “Enjoy your day.”

The man strode off to join a group of women and children.

Bruce looked at me once, then twice, and something passed over his face. He said something to his buddy, handed over his fishing rod, and walked toward me.

I got up from the bench and met him halfway.

“Can I help you?” Bruce asked suspiciously.

Only someone with a criminal past would suspect everyone. His enemies could appear at any moment.

“I have questions that need answers, and you have them. It’s best we discuss this elsewhere.”

“I’m not going anywhere.” He glanced around. “Whatever you need to ask, do it here.”

The heat was getting to me, and Bruce’s inability to cooperate added to my frustration.

Stepping closer, I placed a hand on his shoulder, squeezed hard, and whispered, “I can certainly do that if you want people to know about the beating deaths of two men.” I named them for him. “And the recording that showed you with a fifteen-year-old girl. Her father is on the city council in Dallas. Do you want me to call him, Officer Bruce?”

Shock splashed on his face as he swatted my hand away and stepped back from me. “There’s a brook down this way. Come with me.”

The beast in me wanted me to kick his ass right now. With my years of training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I could easily drop him, but martial arts wasn’t about attacking. It was about discipline and self-defense.

I inhaled a deep breath and followed Bruce down a hiking trail, away from the people. We arrived at a brook, surrounded by shrubberies and tall trees.

He glanced around, probably making sure no one was within earshot. “How in hell did you find this information? It’s all just rumors.”

“Then why are you scared? Photos and videos don’t lie.”

His mouth dropped open. “What do you want?”

“Did you torch Kiera’s cabin?”

“No!” His eyes widened. “Why would I do that?”

Because you’re an asshole.

“Do you know who?”

He inhaled and exhaled, stress clear on his face. “They’ll kill me. They’re dangerous.”

Hank and I both thought Bruce had been responsible for the fire, but things were more complicated than I realized.

Could Bruce be part of The Trogyn?

“Who left the raccoon on Kiera’s porch?”

His eyes darted away from me. “They told me to scare her.”