Wild Justice (Nadia Stafford 3)

Jack's curse whispered through the earpiece.

"You need me?" Jack asked.

"I've got it," I said. Then I paused, so Jack would know I was really answering him, before continuing with, "My hands are going up, and I'll walk to the table as long as you do the same."

My heart was hammering, but there was no need for Jack to jump in. Not as long as Koss was willing to talk. I just needed a moment to get my mental footing. Get him talking. Give me time to regroup and refocus.

"I was wrong," I said as we sat.

"Oh, I'm sure you were wrong about a lot of things. I presume you mean about who killed Amy."

"I knew you did. I just misunderstood the circumstances. I thought you were pulled into it by Aldrich, partying with a couple of teenage girls, things went wrong, and it was all a terrible mistake."

"I don't make mistakes." He leaned forward. "Who are you, Nadia? Who are you really? Not just some screw-up ex-cop hiding in the forest. That's clear. What are you?"

"Is that why we're having a conversation? Because I'm not the only one with questions?"

"I'm curious. As an expert in double lives, yours seems fascinating. Admittedly, I still haven't confirmed what that double life is, but I have an idea. Am I correct in believing you're armed?"

"I am."

"With what?"

I said nothing. His eyes narrowed slightly, as if annoyed. Here he was, so clearly willing to communicate, and I was being difficult. My brain was still trying to reconcile this man with the Sebastian Koss I knew. I might lead a double life, and there might be sides of me that I hide from the world, but nothing like this.

"You came here to kill me," he continued. "But there are so many easier ways to do it. Safer ways. You're taking this risk because you can't kill me until you have your answers. That's rather pathetic, don't you think?"

"This coming from someone who wants answers himself?"

He shrugged. "Mine is pure curiosity, and the moment I feel an honest threat, I'll kill you, regardless of whether I have my answers. You won't, because you need a reason. Once you have it, you'll put a bullet in my brain." He paused. "That's what you do, isn't it?

"I've never denied I killed Wayne Franco."

"That's not what I mean. What happened to the man you met last weekend, Nadia?"

"I met a few men last weekend. I was at my lodge."

"This wasn't a guest. It was a man sent to kill you. I don't know exactly when you met him. Or under what conditions. Or the outcome. I only know that he went to see you and was never heard from again."

"It's beautiful country up there. Maybe he decided to stay."

"I'm sure he did. I'm sure he'll stay until he rots and becomes part of that beautiful country. And then there's the matter of the man who hired him. A fellow named Roland. He's missing, too. Do you know anything about that?"

"Nope."

"Do you see the pages beside you, Nadia?"

I looked over. There were sheets on the table.

"Turn the top one over."

I did. It was a blown-up photograph of one of the shots from the park. Jack and me, making out. My heart started to thump, but I told myself not to panic. I should have known there was a chance the hitman passed these along to his client before his death. And it was just a blurry shot of me kissing someone with his back to the camera.

"It's a photo of me kissing a guy," I said, so Jack would know what was happening.

"Do you recognize him?" Koss asked.

"Vaguely. I had a few drinks the other night. I picked him up in a bar. He was hot."