Chapter 8
Io expected Cal to lose control once they were out of Lurch’s hearing, but he didn’t. He stayed exactly as he’d been on the walk to the market—calm, alert, unreadable.
She tried not to poke at the silence. The last thing she wanted was an argument. But after half an hour of making sure they weren’t followed, curiosity won.
“Cal?”
“What, Thing?”
The nickname steadied her more than she wanted to admit. “Why are you so calm about what I said to Lurch? I expected you to be lecturing by now.”
“I know the assignment. You didn’t say anything I wasn’t already aware of. Would I have preferred less theatrics? Hell, yes. But I also know you. When someone irritates you, you throw a match and wait for combustion.”
He wasn’t wrong. Strike first, brace for fallout, see who actually cared.
“I’m that predictable?” She kept her tone light, but the question chafed more than she liked.
Predictable meant exposed and she’d spent years making sure no one saw enough of her to walk away.
She’d trusted Cal with all of her, and he’d left.
“Afraid so.” His voice wasn’t mocking. Just knowing.
Old habits were hard to kill. She shifted topics. “Let’s head to the convent. Maybe talk to the Mother Superior.”
“And pick up a tail on our way out.”
“That, too.” Her lips curved.
“I don’t like that smile.”
“I’m plotting. You said KW works there?”
Cal gave her a look. “You want to use him?”
“Maybe. The Mother Superior was wary of me. KW might smooth things.”
“She’s cautious because they’ve had break-ins. And let’s try complete honesty, partner. You want to talk to KW because he found the brooch.”
Io heard the dryness in his voice. “Yes, I want him to show me where he discovered it.”
Cal was quiet. “You think KW saw something and didn’t realize it?”
“He had no way of knowing the brooch was a piece of the Lost Treasure. He’s not a historian.”
“Neither are you.”
“True, but I’ve been briefed and I want to take a look.”
They walked in heavy silence. Six months ago, she would have taken his hand. Wanting that again was foolish. Wanting him had cost her more than she’d ever admit out loud. Instead, she focused on the crumbling buildings and sagging power lines of the historic district.
“You know,” Cal said softly, “KW’s joining the Paladin League when his enlistment’s up. Archer hired him.”
Io almost stumbled. Cal’s hand started toward her, like he meant to steady her, but he shoved it into a pocket instead. Of all the things Archer kept close to the vest, this one surprised her. “Well, that’s interesting. Archer didn’t mention it.”
“To quote BD, ‘Archer is a pain in the ass.’”
She nodded. “He can be. His idea of need to know is restrictive.”
“And he likes to test people.”
“I call it playing games. Never get into a chess match with the man. He’ll size you up better than a psych profile.”
Knowing KW had ties to the Paladin League gave Io one more option if things went sideways, but she wouldn’t pull him in unless she had to.
As they neared the convent, she caught the perimeter immediately—newer cars idling, windows too dark, men pretending not to watch. Cal didn’t speak, but his posture sharpened. He saw it too.
A second ring of older vehicles sat closer in. A food cart nearby was suspiciously still—no smoke, no sales pitch. Torres’s men weren’t subtle, but this felt sloppy.
The pedestrian gate to the convent was open. Inside, the courtyard was quiet, the fountain dry, the pavers worn. KW appeared almost immediately, wiping his hands on a rag.
“I heard you went off-grid,” he said to her instead of a greeting.
“Not voluntarily.”
“I heard that, too.” He turned to Cal. “What’s up, Baggs?”
Instead of taking over, Cal looked to her and waited.
“I’d like to speak with the Mother Superior,” Io said.
KW shook his head. “It’s a silent period now, then private prayer, followed by a meeting with the architect that will probably go until vespers.”
“What’s the next time she’s available?”
“Seven-thirty tonight. Or nine a.m. tomorrow.”
She weighed the options. “We’ll come back tomorrow morning.”
KW tried to usher them out, but Io planted her feet. Cal didn’t move either, following her lead. “I wanted to talk to you, too.”
“Me? I’m just the handyman.”
“Bullshit. I know exactly what you are. Archer wants me to see where you found the brooch.”
KW glanced at Cal.
“She’s with us,” Cal said quietly. “BD signed off on it.”
KW didn’t relax. “Archer thinks I’m hiding intel?”
“No,” Io said. “Archer wants fresh eyes, that’s all.”
KW nodded. “I found it deep inside. I can’t take you there without Mother Teresita’s approval.”
“And you can’t talk to her until after prayer time.”
“Correct.”
“How far can you take us now?”
“The vestibule.”
Io frowned, but he shook his head. “It’s their home. After months of contractors poking around to provide repair estimates, they’re protective.”
She could see that. “Do you think more treasure was hidden in the same area?”
“No. It was wedged in a crack. I only saw it because my flashlight hit it.” KW shrugged. “See you tomorrow.”
She was being nudged toward the exit. This time she allowed it. “Thanks for your help.”
“Come on, Thing. Let’s find a hotel.”
Outside the gate, the air changed. Two men pretended not to know each other—badly. One adjusted his watch. The other checked his phone. Both watched her.
“Does Torres hire mercenaries?” she asked.
“No. He doesn’t trust them. Those men aren’t his.” Before she could ask who they worked for, Cal murmured, “We’re losing this tail.”
She nodded. Definitely.
His hand brushed hers. Not enough to hold. Just enough to remind her she wasn’t alone. The smallest touch, and her chest still tightened. She hated that. Hated that he could still get to her without even trying.
Tomorrow, she’d go back inside the convent. Tomorrow, another tail would latch on.
But today?
Today was for staying invisible.
They’d chummed the water to draw in Torres, but he wasn’t the only shark circling.