Chapter 28 #2
“What else could it be?” I asked. “If they didn’t want the silver, then the map’s the only thing left that matters.”
He unfolded the paper and held it between his hands, the hospital light casting faint shadows across the creases. “So we’re dealing with someone who thinks this thing actually leads somewhere.”
“Exactly.” I slid my chair closer. “When I went out there earlier—around Shanty’s Peak, or at least the base of it. I was looking for these two rocks.” I pointed to the jagged V-shaped markings near the bottom corner of the map. “We never found them as kids, and I didn’t see anything today either.”
Aiden studied the page, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I don’t recognize this section in the background, but yeah, it looks like Shanty’s Peak.”
“That’s what we always thought,” I said. “But there’s never been any treasure. Just stories.”
His eyes still looked a little unfocused. “Where was the bear trap in comparison to this map?”
I pointed to the very edge, away from the rocks and Shanty’s Peak. “Not part of the map. I got a little lost.”
He traced the area with a finger. “Why would someone steal the boxes, not melt them, lose them, and then steal them again?” he murmured.
His voice had gone flat, the tone he used when something didn’t line up.
“If it isn’t money or silver, maybe it’s obsession.
Someone who really believes in the legend. ”
“Or someone crazy,” I said.
“Maybe both.”
Before I could respond, another thought hit me. “Oh. Before I forget, can you get the CCTV footage from the hospital parking lot?”
Aiden immediately reached for his phone on the counter. “Absolutely.” He hit a button and waited. “Hey, it’s Devlin. I need all security footage from the hospital lot between yesterday afternoon and this morning. Yeah. Thanks, Saber.” He clicked off.
I swallowed. “Heads up. Cormac Coretti probably has access to the CCTV already.”
He frowned. “Why would he have it?”
“Because he’s… well, connected,” I said vaguely. “And because I might’ve mentioned it to him.”
Aiden froze mid-movement. “You talked to him?”
“Yes.” I took a breath, knowing how this would sound. “I went to the bed-and-breakfast earlier. I wanted answers.”
Aiden rubbed a hand down his face, his jaw tight. “Anna.”
“I’m telling you, I’m onto something,” I said quickly. “He’s not what he seems, but I don’t think he’s our bad guy.”
Aiden reached out and tugged gently on a strand of my hair, his tone low. “Don’t go seeing Cormac alone again.”
“I think he’s harmless.”
He gave me a look that was all steel. “He’s not harmless.”
“Well,” I said, softening my tone, “maybe not harmless, but I don’t think he wants to hurt me. And he used to work with Rory, so I figure that’s worth something.”
Aiden leaned back against the pillows, still holding the map.
His expression didn’t change, but I saw the muscle in his jaw jump.
“He used to, or still does,” Aiden said quietly.
“I don’t trust it when people claim they don’t anymore.
Believe me, I’ve been undercover enough times to know that once you’re in, you’re never completely out. ”
“Yeah, you would know,” I agreed. “Maybe you and Cormac should sit down and talk. My gut says he didn’t steal the boxes, but he wants them a little too badly.”
Aiden’s expression didn’t change, but his jaw worked as he thought.
“And,” I added, “he’s also trying to date Donna.”
That earned a short, humorless laugh. Aiden leaned over and pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “We’ll figure it out. Don’t worry.”
“Okay,” I murmured.
“Does Nana know the boxes were stolen again?” he asked, settling back against the pillow.
“I don’t think she even knows we found them,” I admitted. “I didn’t tell her, and I’m pretty sure Dad didn’t either. We didn’t want to get her hopes up.”
Aiden lifted a shoulder. “If you say so. Secrets never last in Silverville.”
Before I could answer, my phone buzzed across the tray table. I glanced at the screen and then answered. “Hi, Nana. What’s up?”
“Anna, honey,” her voice trembled through the line. “I’m so sorry to bother you.”
My stomach sank. “You could never bother me. What’s going on?” I sat up straight, my hand instinctively finding Aiden’s good arm for balance.
“I’m being arrested,” she said.
For a second, my brain refused to process the words. “You’re… being arrested? Again?” I asked weakly. “What did Gloria do this time?”
“It’s not Gloria,” she whispered. “It’s me.”
There was a rustle on the other end, and a familiar male voice replaced hers. “Anna,” Deputy McCracken said, sounding like a man who’d rather be anywhere else.
“McCracken,” I snapped. “What’s going on?”
He exhaled hard. “We’re arresting your grandmother for possession, delivery with intent, and manufacturing of a controlled substance.”
I shot to my feet. “What?” My voice cracked.
“Yeah,” McCracken muttered, regret dripping from every word. “You might want to get over here. The tea she’s been selling tested positive for psilocybin.”
I blinked. “Psilo—psilocybin?”
“Magic mushrooms,” he said grimly. “Come as soon as you can.” Then the line went dead.
I stood there frozen, the phone still pressed to my ear.
Aiden frowned. “Did you just say psilocybin?”
“Yeah,” I said faintly. “What is that?”
He rubbed a hand down his face. “It’s the case I’ve been working. Someone’s been moving microdosed mushroom supplements through boutique shops across the state.”
I shook my head. “That doesn’t make any sense. Nana was just arrested for distributing them.” She would’ve never bought something like that. Not knowingly.
Aiden’s brow furrowed deeper. “I know, but, well, her shop would be a perfect retailer.” He groaned. “We’ve been tracking the pipeline in Oregon and Washington and didn’t think the problem had hit farther east yet.”
“There’s no way Nana knew anything about that,” I said, panic rising in my throat. “Aiden? I sold a bunch of the relaxing tea myself.” Holy crap. The tea had looked perfectly fine, and I know Nana had vetted all of her suppliers. How was this even possible? “I have to go. Right now.”
“Oh, hell no.” He threw the blanket back and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. His muscles flexed as he stood, only pausing for a second to sway back and forth.
I swung toward him. “Aiden—”
“Give me my clothes,” he said, voice sharp but calm. “I’m coming with you.”
“You’re not even cleared to walk down the hall,” I argued, but my voice wavered.
He leveled me with a look that was pure Aiden Devlin. Strong, stubborn, and unmovable. “Then you’d better drive slow, because I’m not sitting this one out.”