Orion paced the aisle, as if on a mission. He stopped by the medication section.
Cassidy studied him from afar, her gut twisting. He looked so much like Orion—except for the way he dressed and carried himself. It just didn’t make any sense.
And she hated it when things didn’t make sense.
Mac walked into the store and headed to the same aisle. He grabbed something from the shelf and turned to mutter something to Orion.
Orion smiled in response and said something that appeared lighthearted.
The two men walked toward the register together, still chatting.
What Cassidy wouldn’t give to hear what they were saying.
Instead, she had to watch and wait.
Finally, Orion stepped outside, waved goodbye to Mac, and went to his SUV. He didn’t even glance over at Cassidy as he climbed into his vehicle and took off down the road.
Five minutes later, Mac climbed back inside with two cups of coffee, two donuts and . . . a bottle of TUMS?
“Digestive system isn’t what it used to be,” he muttered, locking his door.
Cassidy waited for him to continue. Any other time, she’d add something witty. She wasn’t in the mood now.
“I don’t know, Cassidy.” He narrowed his eyes until a fan of wrinkles appeared at their edges. “He didn’t do anything that raised any flags in my mind. He gave me the same story he gave Lisa. He and his wife were married here. She died. He’s here on their anniversary, just spending some time in reflection.”
Cassidy’s stomach clenched. She’d expected that, yet she’d hoped for more. “What was he buying?”
“Some aloe. Said he got some sunburn today and that it was bothering him.”
She let her head fall back into the seat. None of that was what she wanted to hear. She needed something definitive. She needed answers.
“What are you thinking, Mac?” she finally said, desperate for another opinion. A professional one she could trust.
He let out a sigh and stared out the window. “Several years ago, I went to the Florida Keys on vacation. While I was there, I saw my brother.”
“Okay . . .” She had no idea where he was going with this.
“Well, it wasn’t actually my brother. But the man was his doppelganger. It was insane how much they looked alike.”
And suddenly Cassidy knew exactly what he was saying. “So you think everyone in the world has a twin?”
Mac shrugged. “Maybe.”
“And you think this guy isn’t actually Orion?”
“I’m not ruling anything out. I’m just trying to keep an open mind. Isn’t that one of the first things we’re taught as detectives? That we have to take our blinders off?”
She nodded, unable to argue. “It is. And, honestly, I’m confused about this whole situation.”
“We’ll find some answers, Cassidy. Just be patient. In the meantime, I’ll call a realtor friend of mine. See if I can find out who’s renting that house. Maybe it will give us some kind of clue.”
“How’d did the call go?” Cassidy asked Ty as soon as they got back to Mac’s place. She’d texted him to let him know they were on the way. There was no need to stay longer—Orion, or whoever he was—was probably in for the night.
“It went fine.” Ty studied her—something he did a lot. The ever-perceptive veteran had an affinity for trying to figure her out. “Great, actually. But I don’t want to talk about that now. How did your stakeout go?”
Cassidy and Mac updated him on what had happened—over donuts and coffee, of course.
“So we still don’t know anything more?” Ty said, a touch of exhaustion in his voice.
“Pretty much,” Mac said. “But Cassidy and I got to talk. That was something.”
“It was,” Cassidy agreed.
“But we still need a plan,” Ty said.
“Can we look into marriage records here on the island?” Cassidy said. “See if this guy really did get married three years ago? That would answer some questions.”
“Any marriage licenses should be on record, but it’s going to take some time,” Mac said. “I can look into it tomorrow, if you’d like.”
“If you wouldn’t mind . . .”
“Darling, you know I live for stuff like this. Of course, I don’t mind.” Mac shifted. “Ty, why don’t you and I take shifts tonight keeping a lookout?”
“Oh, no,” Cassidy said. “You’re not leaving me out of this. No way will I sit back like a damsel in distress.”
“Somehow I had a feeling you’d say that.” Mac grinned. “How about if I take the first shift? I have a few more combinations to crack. I bought those all at the thrift store. I put my favorite guns inside, and unless I crack the combo, I won’t get them back.”
Mac’s antics never failed to entertain Cassidy, even in the most dire situations.
“It’s a plan,” Cassidy said. “Thanks for letting us stay here.”
“Any time, Cassidy. You can take the bedroom on the left. Ty, you’ve got the couch.”
“Sounds good,” Ty said. “I’ll take second shift.”
“I think I’m going to turn in for the night,” Cassidy said. “It’s been a long day.”
“You can say that again,” Mac said. “Goodnight.”
“I’ll walk you to your room,” Ty said.
He placed a hand on her back as they went down the hallway and paused outside her door. Ty stepped closer and tenderly kissed her forehead before wrapping her in his arms.
“Goodnight, Cassidy.” His voice sounded tender and full of deep emotion.
Cassidy held on to Ty, halfway not wanting to let go. Their month of blissful dating was disappearing, replaced with stress and urgency. “Goodnight. Thank you for everything.”
Ty’s gaze locked with Cassidy’s, a husky look lingering in the depths of his eyes. He reached for her, his hands cradling her face and something unsaid in his eyes. Before she could ask him about it, his lips met hers. Claimed her. Swept her away from her problems and into another world. A welcome escape.
But there was something more to the lip lock—something deeper.
When Ty stepped back, Cassidy could hardly breathe and her heart raced with adrenaline. She touched her lips, still trying to find her balance.
“Why did that feel like a goodbye kiss?” Cassidy whispered.
“What do you mean?” Ty’s voice sounded as raspy as his gaze was smoky.
“You accused me of giving you a goodbye kiss earlier. Now I understand it. Something about that kiss felt final, for some reason.” Cassidy’s heart lurched into her throat at the thought.
Had Ty come to his senses? Realized how difficult dating her was? Figured all this trouble wasn’t worth it?
“You’re reading too much into it,” he murmured.
But was she? Because she had a feeling something was going on in Ty’s mind, something he wasn’t talking about.
She’d give him time. But she didn’t like where her thoughts were headed.
Chapter Thirteen
18 Weeks Earlier
“So, how are we going to handle this?” Cady asked Orion.
He’d insisted on driving his flashy black BMW, a vehicle that he had blinged-out to the max. Leather seats. Fancy rims. A sound system that exceeded what seemed necessary for a mere car and more appropriate for a concert.
“We’re going to find Reginald, tell him what’s up, and then finish him,” Orion said, speaking as casually as a person talking about a to-do list around the house. “It’s that easy.”
“Finish him how?” Cady’s voice cracked, a telltale sign of her nerves.
She had to get them under control. But they were talking about ending someone’s life here. And she didn’t have a backup plan.
She still had no idea how she was going to get out of this—and Cady always had a plan. Her dad used to say she was born with both a plan and a good dose of stubbornness. She couldn’t argue.
“We’ll finish him however
seems like the most fun at the moment.” A touch of amusement lilted Orion’s voice. “I’ve got my gun—that’s not usually fun. I also brought a knife, a lighter, and some Clorox. Now those things could make this more interesting.”
Cady’s stomach squeezed with nausea.
No, no, no . . .
She had to figure this out somehow.
Orion pressed harder on the accelerator. He had to be going twenty miles over the speed limit. That was Orion. He lived fast and hard, almost as if he was invincible.
“Why are you so nervous?” Orion glanced over at her. “You’ve killed before.”
No, Cady hadn’t killed before, even though everyone within DH-7 believed she had. It had all been a setup, an illusion, an elaborate ploy.
“You don’t get nervous?” she asked, deflecting the question.
“Nah. What’s there to be nervous about? Reginald knew the consequences he’d face when he left us. He’s getting what he has coming to him. You can’t be hardcore and scared.”
There was a challenge in the statement, and Cady knew he was waiting for her to explain herself.
“I’m prepared to do whatever necessary to ensure my place in DH-7. I don’t know what else you want me to say.” She hardened her voice just enough to sound convincing.
He glanced at her too long, considering their speed. “Raul likes you.”
“That’s good.”
“I don’t get it.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” She could hear the suspicion in his voice, and it put her on edge.
“Where did you come from?”
Anxiety clogged her throat. If Orion had the whim, he’d kill Cady too. But he’d torture her for answers first.
“I’ve been over this before,” she finally said. “It’s not important.”
“It is to me. If we’re going to do this together, I need to know I can trust you.”
Cady raised her chin, not giving into the argument Orion was so desperately trying to start. “I haven’t let Raul down yet.”
“And that’s a good thing. I’d give my life for him.”
“Loyalty like yours doesn’t come around often.”
“Yeah, well, he gave my life purpose.”
Was that what all of this boiled down to? Purpose?
Gang members were people who were often lost and neglected, trying to find their place in the world. Acceptance from these groups—however evil they were—gave them a sense of fulfillment. Cady had taken classes on it. But seeing this study in real life chilled her blood.
They were like a cult—a young, urban cult with individuals willing to drink the Kool-Aid or to die so Haley’s Comet could sweep them into space. The desperation existed in every walk of life—rich or poor, young or old. It existed across races and paychecks and belief systems.
Purpose and belonging carried a huge weight in people’s lives.
There had to be a better way.
“I killed Alisha,” he muttered.
Cady drew in a deep breath, certain she hadn’t heard him correctly. “What?”
“Alisha,” he said. “You know who she is.”
“Your girlfriend?” Cady had seen her just a few days ago.
“Raul decided he didn’t like her.”
Her heart pounded in her ears. “So you killed her?”
Cassidy tried to hide her disgust, but it was difficult.
“She may have tipped off members of the Blood Brotherhood. We couldn’t risk it. We don’t show mercy to traitors.”
Orion’s words served as a stark, cold reminder of what could be Cady’s future if she wasn’t careful.
She felt the need to say something to prove her own loyalty, but her thoughts felt scrambled. Finally, she cleared her throat, trying to erase the chilling images that filled her mind.
“I’ve been on the streets—on my own—since I was twelve,” she said, recalling her cover story. “So for a lot of years. I almost took my own life because I had nothing to live for. No way to get ahead. The rest of my life stretched out like one long, bleak road before me, and I had no hope.”
“Is that right?”
“Then I met Raul a couple months ago. He took me in. He not only gave me food and shelter, but he gave me a sense of purpose. Now I’m just trying to repay him.”
Orion grunted, as if unsure he believed her story. Before he could ask any more questions, he pulled to a stop in front of a dumpy looking house in a drab neighborhood known for crime, drugs, and prostitution. The police debriefed on this area daily, and it was often mentioned in the news since a new crime was committed here every night.
“We’re here,” he announced.
Another swell of anxiety swirled in Cady.
She was going to have to rely on that instinct now and play this by ear. Not her first choice—or the best one. It was her only choice.
“Come on,” Orion said.
Before she could feign an excuse, he was out of the car and skulking toward a house across the street. A single light lit the window.
Someone appeared to be home.
And now Cady was going to have to improvise before she did something reprehensible.
Chapter Fourteen
Today’s Goals: Use wisdom. Stay alive. Win.
Cassidy took the last shift of the evening and spent her time not only on guard duty, but also pouring over online news articles on DH-7 and all their recent mayhem. There were car thefts. Drug deals. Drive-by shootings. Nothing surprising.
Again.
She wasn’t sure what she hoped to find, but her brain wouldn’t stop working until she had some answers. Not knowing if it was really Orion in town was driving her crazy.
She leaned back in the kitchen chair where she’d settled and glanced back into the living room. Ty snoozed on the couch. Cassidy smiled as she watched him. One arm was thrown over his head. His face looked relaxed and unaware. His breathing was even and deep.
She could imagine spending the rest of her life seeing him in the morning—bedhead, sleepy eyes, and all. She liked the idea a little too much, especially considering the fact that she was in no position to plan the rest of her life. All she needed to concentrate on right now was surviving.
Their kiss last night slammed into her mind again. What had been the emotion behind it? Cassidy still wasn’t sure, but she’d mulled it over all evening. Yesterday must have been a wake-up call for Ty. She just wasn’t sure what the new reality he was facing looked like.
A sound at the end of the hallway drew her attention. Mac appeared from his bedroom, dressed and looking as perky as ever as he ambled toward her. “Morning. No trouble?”
“No trouble. I did brew some fresh coffee.”
“Perfect. You two can hide out here anytime.” He glanced down. “You too, Kujo.”
She smiled and patted the dog’s head. “Anything new?”
“My realtor friend called me back. Turns out the person renting that house is named Rich and he’s from Missouri. It’s a last-minute reservation—he called three days ago and asked what was available. Said he’d take whatever they had.”
“That fits our theory. It would be different if it was someone who’d booked months in advance.”
“Exactly.”
“Since you’re up, do you mind if I have a minute? I desperately need a shower.” Thankfully, she’d brought her bags with her.
“Well . . . I wasn’t going to say anything.” He cackled at his own joke. “Just kidding, of course. Go right ahead.”
By the time Cassidy finished getting ready, Ty was up and drinking coffee with Mac. After a few pleasantries, she glanced at her watch. “We have forty minutes until church starts.”
Ty lowered his cup. “You’re right. Let me get ready.”
Mac stood. “Speaking of which, I’m late for my service. You two gonna be okay?”
“Of course,” Ty said. “We’ll check in later.”
Cassidy grabbed an apple to eat as she waited. Ty appeared a few minutes lat
er, looking clean and smelling like a rain shower. He must have borrowed Mac’s shampoo.
She’d been going with Ty to a small church on the edge of the town. The building itself was picturesque, with its white shingles, tall steeple, and stained-glass windows. Its history went back more than two hundred years, and Cassidy could just imagine people from decades ago sitting on these wooden pews and singing hymns as they braved the elements out here, minus the conveniences of modern life.
Today, the church had two services. The first was traditional and strictly hymns. The second utilized a praise band and more casual atmosphere.
Either way, the gathering was small. In the summertime, half the congregants were visitors. Cassidy hadn’t been here during the winter, but Ty had told her that it usually ran about thirty people on an average Sunday.
This was where he and the rest of the gang had first met. They’d started a Bible study together, but it was currently on hiatus for the summer because of the crazy schedules in this area and their respective businesses.
Cassidy had been attending the past month, and she’d surprised herself by liking it.
She hadn’t thought a lot of church or religion while growing up. Partly because of her wealthy upbringing—she’d wanted for nothing and had no need for reliance on God. Then when Lucy was murdered, she figured if there was a God out there, He wasn’t loving.
But, after infiltrating DH-7, she’d seen the need for people to find purpose and belonging in their lives. This church offered both of those things—yet it offered so much more. It offered answers, answers that fascinated her, and answers that had turned her life around in more than one way.
They took a seat beside Austin and Skye at the back of the sanctuary and made small talk.
As a shadow fell over them, Cassidy looked up. Jimmy James stood there wearing his best torn jeans and stained white T-shirt. The service was come as you are, so no one here would complain.
“Hey,” he grunted. “I just got called into work, so I can’t stay. But I wanted to let you know I saw that guy again last night.”
Dangerous Waters (Lantern Beach Book 4) Page 9