Scotts crouched at her side. “I recognize that expression on your face. What?”
Raven looked to the stream, then back at Scotts. “All the bodies we found were in fresh water at least four feet from the surface.”
“Yes.”
“Someone killed them, but the bodies were left in the water on purpose.” She turned away from his baffled gaze, knelt by the stream and trailed her hand across the surface of the shockingly cold water. “What do you notice about this water?”
“It’s ass cold from the mountains.”
“Right.”
Things clicked, and Scotts swore. “They’re keeping the bodies refrigerated, storing them. What the hell can do this, Raven?”
She bit her lip, debating the wisdom of sharing her knowledge. This case was entwined with hers. The last thing she wanted was him involved.
“Scotts–”
“Don’t give me this paranormal bullshit. Tell me what you know.”
She hesitated, but had no choice to put her client’s confidentiality first. “I’ll share what I can, but I suspect this is part of a case I’ve been hired to solve.”
Scotts drew himself to his full height, his shoulders straining his cheap suit. “Murder trumps PI business.”
A wiry smile crossed her lips. “I’ll share, but I can’t divulge my client or pertinent information.”
“I could have you arrested for obstruction.” The words weren’t heated. They both knew he could, and they both knew he wouldn’t. They needed her on this case.
“Tell me.”
In the space of a breath, her knees weakened and all the strength poured out of her. The next instant, she landed on her hands and knees, unsure who cut the strings holding her upright. Every bit of current she carried vanished. The hollowness left behind felt like part of her had been amputated. She heard shouting but didn’t look, having a hard enough time keeping her head from slamming face first into the slimy mud.
“Don’t.” She flinched when Scotts reached to help her stand. Her arms quivered under the strain of her weight. Mud squished between her fingers when she tried to force them to work.
Taggert appeared out of nowhere, knocking Scotts to the ground. The sound of guns leaving holsters rent the air. “Taggert.”
In an instant, he was at her side. When he reached for her arm, she pulled back. The lack of support tilted her balance, and she twisted to land on her ass.
“Raven?”
“That’s it.” Scotts hauled Taggert to his feet and shoved him away. “I should arrest you for assault. If you ever do anything like that again, I will.”
The people around them tittered nervously, holstering their weapons and turning away. She could hear them snicker, believing she finally broke at the sight of a dead body. Not likely, but she’d accept the excuse if it kept them from asking questions.
It wasn’t like she could explain that she was recovering from an attack when her wounds had miraculously healed. Like a flame, her gift flickered on and off. The electrical storm must have messed with her power more than she expected, taking her system longer to get back online.
“You okay?”
Scotts’ soft question reverberated in her head, and she gave him a tight smile as she fought not to suck in all the energy around her. “Peachy.”
“Liar.”
“Empty stomach.”
Doubt lingered for a moment on his face, then his eyes narrowed. “In return for not pressing assault charges, you’ll share all your information on the case with me.”
His smugness itched her the wrong way. “Blackmail, Scotts? I thought you were above that.”
A tight smile tipped his lips. “I want answers.”
Chapter Sixteen
SUNSET
Taggert’s gaze bore into Raven as she slowly rose to her feet, his broad shoulders giving her some privacy. She used the tree for a prop, the bark gouging into her spine. She couldn’t get over the feeling he was humoring her. One wrong move and Taggert would scoop her up and rescue her. Even if her touch killed him.
She gingerly shuffled to the car. Taggert opened the door, and she all but collapsed onto the seat. Snapping off both layers of gloves, she propped her elbows on her thighs and dropped her head between her knees, waiting for the world to stop tilting. Blood rushed to her temples. Everything around her dimmed until she feared she might pass out.
“Raven?”
She swallowed twice before she had enough spit to speak. “Give me a second. Watch the area. Make sure no one touches me.”
“Were you attacked?” The vengeance in his voice was unmistakable, but she didn’t raise her head. The last thing she needed right now was an overprotective shifter.