Page 5 of Twisted Shadows
The last research paper Traynor had sent Grayson had been written by Nichols, speculating on the possibility of a parasitic relationship between empaths and their siblings. Grayson’s name hadn’t been stated outright in the research, but only a handful of siblings had developed enhanced strength and senses while growing up alongside an empath, and it wasn’t hard to guess the sources behind Nichols’ conclusions.
Only one of those empath siblings had become the Dead Man, after all.
But that was in the past. Grayson’s brother was gone, and if Traynor thought sharing new theories could change how Grayson saw his job, he was wasting both their time. The Dead Man didn’t care about hypotheticals and what-ifs; all he needed to know was if anyone was sharing those conspiracies outside of their circles.
Out in the hall, Marist was still talking to Nichols.There’s no need for you to wait until morning. I have the company jet and I’m heading to Seattle tonight; we can arrange your other flights from there. Director Traynor mentioned he was heading out to Seattle as well; I bet we can convince him that it makes sense to share the plane. The chef is planning surf and turf—a favorite of his. Why shouldn’t he join us?
Why not, indeed. Just the pesky little question of impartiality from government employees dining on steak and lobster in private planes owned by corporations that wanted to ensure their taxpayer funding never dried up.
Grayson grabbed his duffel bag off the floor and tucked the accordion folder into it before he hoisted it onto his shoulder. As he left the building, navigating the snowy walk toward his rental, his watch buzzed with another text.
Reece: You know, it’s not good for me to be living around other people when I might be dangerous.
Grayson had emails to read. He needed to get to the airport. He needed to call Dr. Aisha Easterby, doctor turned medical examiner and one of his few trusted contacts, to tell her about the murder and see what she thought. She might very well want to hop her own flight east.
Except as he climbed into his rental car, he found himself texting Reece back.
Grayson: But that’s why you’ve got my number, right? There is nothing you can do that I can’t stop. You can never be more dangerous than me.
He turned the engine over.
Reece: I thought I had your number because you know you’re a menace behind the wheel and someone needs to remind you of those pesky public safety laws you ignore.
Unbelievable.
Grayson: I just told you I’m more dangerous than you and your response is to backseat drive from across the continent?
Reece: I think we need to have a conversation about your driving.
Grayson: No, we need to have a conversation about your complete lack of survival instinct.
Reece: Sorry I care about the SURVIVAL of the people who have to share the road with you.
If Reece thought that was gonna get a rise out of Grayson, he had the wrong man. Grayson didn’t feel annoyance, or aggravation, or frustration, or anything else. He couldn’t.
The Dead Man was able to do his job because he’d been changed by his now-gone empath brother, and he was no longer capable of feeling anything at all.
And that was never gonna change.
CHAPTER TWO
Case Number: 2282023
Reporting Officer: J. Stensby
Incident: Assault on the rooftop of [REDACTED]
Details of the Event: ...[REDACTED] was on the roof as well, kneeling next to [REDACTED]. His hands were on his head in a position of surrender. There was blood all over [REDACTED] face.
I wanted to bring in [REDACTED] but was told not to interfere, arrest, or even question him. We were never told why [REDACTED] was on the roof, or why he got away with it.
—SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Reece awkwardly bracedhis knee against the door, using it to balance his box of craft supplies as he fumbled in his pocket for the key to Liam’s studio—about to beReece’sstudio, at least for the next six months.
When Jamey had broached the topic of Liam moving in with her when his lease expired, she’d been adamant that Reece didn’t have to move out.
Liam knows you live here, she’d said.He knows what he said yes to. You don’t have to go.
