Page 47 of Hide From Me

“Sure,” I say, shoving Dale into the backseat of my car. “But if he bleeds on my seats, I’m leaving him in the woods.”

Dale's features pale, and my grin widens as I slam the door and round to the driver's side.

“Boy, I’ve got to say I’m glad you were around,” Bill finally exhales, his shoulders slumping. Do I feel guilty for manipulating this situation? Let me think. Nope. Not one bit. In the end, I’m doing the world a favor.

“I’ll see you around, Bill. I’ll have one of my superiors update you on any new case information.”

“You’re a good lad. Now get his arse out of here before I change my mind.”

I laugh, slipping into my seat without wasting a second to head back toward the base.

Pulling out my phone, and ignoring Dale’s kicking, I read Raylen’s latest text:

I'll be home in a moment. Spare key’s under the mat if you get there first.

Damn it. I could’ve easily gone in, but then again if I’d never showed up and seen who she was with her, then I’d never had witnessed whatever the fuck that was. Maybe she’ll tell me what happened later and I can kiss her—I groan in frustration—scratch that. I can kiss her skin senseless and tell her how fucking proud I am.

Looking up from my phone, I jerk the wheel finding myself veering off the road then look back down.

“I didn’t fire a fucking shot. I’m being set up.” Dale hisses.

“Shut up.” I groan. His voice is annoying and I’d rather it not kill my mood right now.

“Fuck you! I was leaving my date. I have a goddamn alibi!”

My brow raises and I meet his stare in the rearview mirror, flicking my focus to his busted nose.

“Looks like it went well for you.” I taunt. “Now can you be quiet?”

Dale thrashes and lets out a scream that makes me slam on the brakes, throw the car in park, and turn to throw a solid punch into his nose. The cracking sound is almost as stomach turning as his cry but all I do is smile.

“Watch the blood. It’s hard to get out of leather.”

“You little mutt.” Dale bites, tilting his head back. I could do it. All it’d take is a bullet to his head, but I want this to last now. My fingers flex into my steering wheel tight enough my knuckles go white as I dial Caspians number. It’s not even a solid full ring before he’s answering.

“What’re you doin? Calling your guard dog? Is he your real daddy?” Dale taunts and I know he’s referring to Sam, being as Samisa literal war dog.

“Moe? The fuck is wrong it’s ten o’clock.”

My heart thunders in my ears making it nearly impossible to hear him correctly, but I swallow down the way my breathing tries to speed up.

“I uh—I have someone from Bill. Can you meet me in the interrogation room?” I jerk my car into the base's parking lot making sure Dale's body rolls around my back seat a few times before slamming on the brakes so he’s forced to fall into the floorboard.

“Fuckin’ Hell. Can’t Sam do it.”

Of course Sam can do it, but I need to kill two birds with one stone so it’d be really nice if he’d stop making this so goddamn difficult.

Flinging my car door open I take a steadying breath and push my hand through my hair.

“Bill said something about wanting you to do it. Or something like that.” I purposely form a basically ineligible statement that earns an irritable sigh from the other end.

“I’ll be there soon.”

With that I hang up and pace a few times to calm myself as I tuck my phone into my pocket.

Dale screams again as I jerk open the door and pull him out by his collar.

“God you’re fucking annoying. No wonder your date broke your nose.” I groan as he stumbles around like a fawn.