Page 77 of Forever Dark
Croft took it.
And kept holding it.
Not long enough to make a scene.Long enough to establish the terms.
His gaze shifted to Selena.“And you are?”
“Agent Selena Raven.FBI.”
No change in the smile.Not even a flicker.
“Well,” Croft said.“That sounds serious.”
“We’d like to speak with you,” Connor said.
Croft’s hand finally released his.“Of course.I’d be glad to help in any way I can.But somewhere private.Please, come.”
Too smooth.Too unflustered by it all.
Selena said, “Of course.”
“My pleasure, child.”Croft turned slightly, gesturing toward the exit with easy hospitality, as though he were the host and they had come to him by appointment.“No sense trying to talk over all this joyful noise.Satan himself couldn’t swallow that sound!”
Selena exchanged a glance with Connor, then followed Croft toward the flap at the side of the tent.
Behind them the music swelled again, voices rising under the canvas as they stepped out into the night, which held its breath as if waiting for an answer.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Croft led them across the fairgrounds with one hand lightly extended, as if he were guiding guests toward a better seat instead of taking two law enforcement officers to his private quarters.Selena felt the charisma exuding from him.She knew how dangerous that could be to those who were lost like Brenda and Lauren.
The music from the tent still rolled behind them.Voices clapped in time with the band.The crowd had that uplifted sound people got when they were no longer embarrassed to be moved in public.Past the glow of the tent lights, the parked bus waited in a strip of grass beside a line of generators and stacked folding chairs.
Up close, it looked even more expensive.
Cream paint shone under the floodlights.Gold lettering ran along the side in a flourish that suggested old money whether it existed or not.The windows were darkened.Chrome caught the light at every edge.
Two broad men stood near the folding steps, both in dark jackets despite the mild night.One had a neck like a fence post and a shaved head that reflected the light.The other wore an earpiece and kept his hands clasped in front of him, though the posture looked less respectful than ready.
The shaved one stepped forward when he saw Connor and Selena coming.As she got closer, she noticed an old scar on his neck, which looked like someone had tried to cut his throat in the past.
Croft lifted a hand.“It’s fine, Leon.”
The man stopped at once.
“There’s only onelawaround here,” Leon said to them.
“There sure is,” Connor said.“And it comes with a badge and a gun.”
Leon stared at them.
“Please, Leon,” Elias said.“They are my guests.”
Leon glared at Connor then bowed his head slightly toward Elias.“Of course, Shepherd.”
Selena took that in and kept walking.
Connor glanced once at the security men, then at the bus.“You don’t do anything halfway, Mr.Croft.This must all cost a pretty penny.”
