Page 148 of Executing Malice

The candles have gone out in the pumpkins. In the harsh light of day, they appear sad and wilted, but Dante spots the empty candy bowl and beams.

That smile makes what we did worth it. Seeing him so delighted by something so simple is all the assurance I need to know I did the right thing.

“Come on, stinky,” I tease, capturing his hand and tugging him up the stairs.

But no sooner have we reached the door when a familiar cruiser turns in behind my car.

My stomach flips with a prickling of panic as my brain scrambles to stay calm.

They have nothing unless you give it to them.

I don’t know where that advice came from, but I cling to it as Reed kicks open his door and unfolds from his seat.

“Jesus, thank God.” He slams his door shut and stalks towards us. “I’ve been calling and coming by all night.” He pauses to look us over. “Where did you go dressed like that? What are you? Zombies?”

I squeeze Dante’s fingers to keep him silent.

“Cheerleader and masked killer,” I answer with a grin I don’t feel. “We went to a costume party in Mayfield after the festival.”

My brother rolls his eyes. “I should have known. You’re so weird with that crap.” He eyeballs Dante. “Where’s your mask?”

My stomach drops.

We forgot his mask. It’s somewhere in the woods near what’s left of Everett’s skull. And the knife with our blood smeared all over it.

“Lost it,” Dante answers simply.

Oh God, what if it has his DNA? What if they find it and trace it back to Dante? We need to go back. We need to find it.

“That sucks.” Reed faces me. “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you.”

Trembling, I gesture awkwardly at my uniform. “No pockets.”

I notice with faint humor that he refuses to look past my face. His blue eyes stay fixed on mine like they hold all of life’s answers.

“I ran a background check on that ... why are we standing outside?”

Dante and I exchange glances, but we turn and head inside.

This is probably better, I think. Having him away from the car.

“That guy from the bank,” he carries on while we head into the kitchen. “Severely bad news. His name is Everett Bhatt. A low life from Manitoba with a rap sheet longer than the Mississippi River. Everything from trafficking, extortion, rape, assault, racketeering. It’s a long list. He’s wanted in the US and Canada for murder. He’s also wanted by several other gangs. It’s just a mess. But I came to tell you to call me if you see him again. He’s dangerous and he might hurt you.” He ruffles a hand through his hair. “Freaks me out to think what he might have done if you hadn’t called me.”

“What?” Dante cuts in, eyes on me. “What happened?”

I touch his arm lightly. “I’ll tell you later.” I turn to Reed. “But you have him, right?”

His gaze drops to our feet. “He was released by Brewer. Guy had some big connections. Got himself out. Now, he’s in the wind. Came to see if he might have said something to you that might help us get him.”

I ignore Dante’s eyes boring into me, demanding answers I can’t give when Reed is also watching me.

“Nothing. He was just being a creep, asking me out.”

Reed sighs. “Okay, well, don’t go anywhere alone. Lock your doors. I’ll get you that ring camera you askedfor—”

“I got it,” Dante interrupts. “No one’s going to get near her.”

Reed fixes his attention on the other man. The two stare at each other with a building perfume of testosterone that nearly chokes me.