Page 110 of Archer

“Men,” Colton corrected. He turned an amused expression to me. “Keep us men straight.”

I laughed. “I will try.”

Archer folded his hands on the table. “We’ve been brainstorming our next course of action.”

Knox nodded. “The push and pull has to end. We’ve fallen into an unfortunate pattern.”

“We set up something to draw him out,” Colton said. “Webb responds as expected but evades capture, and we’re back where we started. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.”

Archer’s usual scowl somehow deepened. “And the resulting danger for Harper escalates every time.”

The men shifted on their seats, trading looks and drinking coffee. Settling collectively into silence.

I forked a bite of sliced strawberry and let the ember of an idea become the makings of possible plan.

“Harper?” Archer looked across the table in my direction, drawing the others’ attention. “What is it?”

My gaze slid from one set of curious eyes to another.

“I was thinking that as long as I hide inside a home surrounded by obvious security, there’s only so much Webb can do. So, he does as much as he can, then he leaves.”

Nash frowned. “That’s the problem.”

“Maybe it’s time I leave the house.” I looked to Archer, who was sure to protest first.

The water turned off in the kitchen, and the women moved in our direction, curious expressions on their beautiful faces as well.

“Go on,” Archer encouraged.

I released a small breath and squared my shoulders. “What if instead of hiding inside, I go out and invite people to join me? I could perform a mini-concert, sing my new song from the dock behind Island Adventures. We can spin it as a pop-up performance or play it as a music video recording. The dock is open to water on three sides, which means Coast Guard coverage is possible, and people can come to listen by any manner of water vessel, kayak, paddleboard or boat. Nash can have deputies on the roadside, watching the parking lot and paths on land. Your team can manage the dock itself and the surrounding shoreline.” I looked at Colton. “And Webb will know exactly when and where to be, because I’m going to tell everyone.”

Silence.

“You want to do a live performance,” Sloane said from the end of the table. She’d been quiet until now, coffee mug cradled in both hands.

“Yes. We can frame it as a live acoustic set on Instagram. Announced in advance. I’ll debut the song I’ve been working on, which fans will love. No one has heard it yet, other than my manager. Unrecorded material is never released this way.” I looked around the table. “People will show up. Webb will come because he can’t seem to stay away. All you have to do is find him in the crowd and arrest him.”

“No.” Archer’s voice was a harsh growl.

Maggie flinched.

I narrowed my eyes and glared. “It’s a good plan.”

“It’s a dangerous plan.”

I turned back to his teammates and our sheriff. “It should happen as soon as possible, before Webb has time to make a new plan of his own and attack again.”

I dared a look in Archer’s direction once more. “The alternative is we keep waiting in the dark while he gets bolder and I eventually lose my career. Or worse.”

Something shifted in his expression. The constant rigid refusal softened at its edges, and I recognized the tactical part of his brain working the problem. Allowing a break to the part of him that wanted to put me in a room with no windows and stand outside the door.

Knox drummed his fingertips on the tabletop. “The Coast Guard can run dark two hundred yards out and close in, if necessary, the moment Webb’s identified. If he’s on land, we can grab him. Nash can post deputies on the road and boat ramp. We can hold the dock.”

Archer glared at me, wholly ignoring Knox. His nostrils flared.

“Something has to give,” I said. “This has to end.”

Archer swore and slapped a palm against the table.