Page 40 of Stone Coast (Tyson Wild Thriller)

“ H ow much do you know about my background?” I asked.

“We vet all potential collaborators thoroughly. It didn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out your connection to a certain three letter agency. But I can’t tell you what your role was in the Company.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

“I don’t know what you did, but it was something so secretive, even Piper can’t figure it out.

Your cover ID is about as solid as anything I’ve ever seen.

Your former group is completely off the books.

Everyone associated with it is a ghost. But I do know that you work for Ross Jenkins at Synovectis Solutions.

And that is a Company front if I’ve ever seen one. ”

Ross had passed a poly, but that didn’t mean anything. A trained operative might be able to pull it off. I had to give it consideration. “If Ross wants me dead, why go to all the trouble? Why not just use Company men to do it? ”

“Plausible deniability,” Xzavier said.

I considered it. “I need to be certain.”

“And what if you discover Ross is behind all this? What will you do?”

I didn’t have an answer for that.

“Do you remember what you did for the Company?”

I shook my head.

“How do you even know Ross is who he says he is?”

“I don’t.” I paused, processing everything. “What drew you to me in the first place?”

“My organization tracks all the crime in the city. You were just a few lines in the newspaper. But the more I looked into your situation, the more curious I became. Things didn’t add up.

When I looked into your background, it was too perfect.

I grew intrigued. Then you made the news again with the home invasion, and you handled yourself rather well.

I knew then and there you’d make a perfect addition to this team.

Cooper’s trip to the range proved that your aim wasn’t a fluke.

” Xzavier paused. “Money buys power and information. I’ve tried to find as much information about you as possible.

But if I dig too deep, someone’s going to want to know why I’m asking questions.

The last thing either of us needs is any more heat.

If you want to get to the truth, you need to find out who hired Raymond.

But I don’t suggest talking to him at the moment. ”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re charged with the murder of Carter Wallace, in case you’ve forgotten. You need to stay as far away from that world as possible. Let it cool down.”

“And in the meantime, I’m just supposed to keep looking over my shoulder? Just go about my life like nothing‘s wrong? Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Eventually, whoever is trying to kill me is going to be successful.”

“Think positive.”

“I am. I’m positive I’m going to talk to Ray Ray. He’s the link that can put the pieces together.”

Xzavier’s face tightened. It was clear he didn’t like the idea. He sensed I wasn’t going to back down. After a resigned exhale, he said, “Okay. We’ll watch him for a few days, learn his schedule, then grab him. I’m sure we can find ways to make him talk, if you’ve got the stomach for it.”

“I’ve got the stomach for it,“ I said, fire in my eyes.

“In the meantime, I don’t think you should go back to your boat. It’s not safe.”

“Where do you suggest I go?” I asked with suspicion.

“You could stay with one of the team members. It would be added protection.”

I laughed. “No. Sorry. I just met you people. I appreciate what you’ve done for me. But you’re asking me to trust you when I can’t trust anyone.”

“I’m throwing you a life line. The only friends you have are Olivia and Tyson.” Then he admitted, “Not bad friends to have. And your relationship could be beneficial to us.”

“What do you know about Tyson? ”

“I know he’s a deputy with Coconut County. I know he’s got a good track record. We need a law enforcement officer we can trust.”

“That’s why you want me in the group,” I said, putting it all together.

“One of the reasons. We have to be very careful. This whole thing could go sideways. We need someone sympathetic to the cause. Receptive to anonymous tips. If we break the law collecting evidence, it could damage any potential case. This is a delicate balance.”

“Tyson’s not going to work with a vigilante group. And certainly not with people he hasn’t vetted.”

“If we play it by the book and provide legitimate intel, I don’t see why he wouldn’t.”

There was a long moment of silence between us.

“I’m sorry,” I said. “You’re not going to get the answer you want today.”

He tried to hide his disappointment, but it wasn’t unexpected. Xzavier was the kind of guy who thought of all the angles.

“I’ll get your bail money,” I said. “I don’t know how, but I will.”

“I told you that was a gift.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t like owing anybody money or favors.”

“What are you going to do? Rob a bank?”

“I’ll think of something. ”

Xzavier smiled. “Mr. Prescott will see to it you get home safely. You know how to get in touch. But in case you’ve misplaced my number…” He handed me another card.

I gave a last look around the group, then Prescott escorted me out.

“I knew she wouldn’t bite,” TJ said. He held out his hand, waiting for a pay day.

“It ain’t over yet,” Coop said with an optimistic smile.

I looked over my shoulder and glared at them before stepping outside.

Prescott called for the driver.

The Florida sun warmed my face.

“It’s okay to be unsure,” he said. “Sometimes our greatest growth comes from pushing through fear.”

“I’m not afraid, and you can spare me the soft sell.”

He smiled and raised his hands in surrender.

The car pulled into the lot, gleaming in the sun. Prescott pulled open the door, and I slid across the bench seat.

“Where to?” Prescott asked when he joined me.