Page 93 of Paths
“I think he’s ready.” I look over at Crew and he juts his chin toward Jarvis. “He’s tested out of three languages, but he was already fluent in French and Spanish. He can keep working on the Middle Eastern languages as he goes, but he has a good enough start, he should be able to travel with no problem.”
“Has he learned to control himself?” I ask, as I watch Jarvis unnecessarily pressing the guy who’s clearly pinned, into the mat with his knee.
I hear Crew huff one laugh. “Enough that he won’t get himself killed. The rest of his intensity should only serve him well—I think it’s what makes him who he is. He’ll be in high demand soon enough.”
I turn to Crew and cross my arms. “I’ll be back once all this shit gets settled with Maya. She’s agreed to take a couple days off work, but eventually she’ll need to get back to the Ranch, and I’ll have to be there with her. After that—count me in.”
“I wouldn’t speak too soon if I were you.” I look out the door and it’s Asa.
As he approaches, his eyes are on me. “I just got off the phone with my source at the FBI. You’re gonna be getting a phone call, and before you chew my ass for giving them your information, know that I had to convince them to contact you instead of Maya. They want to talk to both of you, but they have a laundry list for her.”
As he speaks, my phone vibrates. I step outside to take the call that’s listed as unknown on my screen. “Cain.”
“Mr. Cain, this is Special Agent Jason Gordon from the FBI Organized Crime Task Force in Buffalo. I need to speak to you about an incident that happened yesterday at the regional airport there. We have surveillance video of a gunshot and standoff before you boarded your plane.”
I pause even though I’m not worried. If they’ve got video, they know we did nothing wrong. But he doesn’t wait for me to respond.
“I also need to interview Ms. Maya Augustine about yesterday, regarding her connection to Weston MacLachlan.”
“What about her connection to Weston MacLachlan?”
“We’ll discuss that in person. I’m en route as we speak, and should be in your area soon. I’d appreciate your cooperation as this is urgent and time-sensitive. Where can we meet?”
I have never dealt with the FBI, we’ve always let Asa take on that responsibility as our main contact. Time sensitive and urgent can’t be good when it comes to them.
“There’s a vineyard close to where I’m located. Whitetail. Give me your ETA, we’ll meet you there. I’ll make sure we have a private place to talk.”
We work out the details, and I’ve got some time before they get here to explain to Maya we’ll be having a conversation with the FBI about her ex.
When I turn back to Asa, he says, “Sorry that happened so fast, but it seemed urgent when my guy called to get your information. You have nothing to be worried about, they only want information.”
“I’m not worried.” I slide my phone into my pocket. “We’re not the ones who ambushed others on the tarmac, and they have the surveillance video. I’m ready for this to be over.”
“My guy didn’t give me much, but I got the feeling something’s happened to move their case along. Up until now, they’ve been in a holding pattern,” Asa adds.
“If it means they’re close, I’ll take it.” I turn to Crew. “I told them we could meet at the tasting room—they don’t need to be here. Can you call Addy and set that up?”
“Sure,” he pulls his phone out to make the call.
“You back, Cain?” I look over and Asa’s got a shit-eating grin on his face.
I shake my head, and as I turn to make my way back to the house where my sisters are surely torturing the woman who’s wearing my ring, I answer, “Yep, but only because I missed fucking with you, old man.”
As I walk away, I faintly hear Asa say to Crew, “It sure hasn’t been the same without him.”
*****
Maya –
“Byron Murray is dead.”
I feel my body go tense and Grady instantly squeezes my hand, but otherwise he doesn’t show any signs of alarm.
“Come again?” Grady calmly asks for clarification from where he’s sitting beside me.
“But,” I start and try to find my breath, my voice edging on hysterical. “You just said you have video surveillance at the airport. He might’ve been knocked silly, but I’m almost certain he wasn’t dead.”
“Ma’am—”
