Wicked Release(22)
Sarah made a face. “Our perp?”
Con winked. “The bad guy with the book. But it couldn’t have been about that, right? We just found out about it ourselves.”
Harrison nodded. “Exactly. Tucker says he shouldn’t be violent, he just sells things that don’t belong to him. But Leah’s mother did business with him from time to time, and he knows her. She came to him with something she needed to sell. Fast and quiet.”
Lorie whistled. “Are Jacob and Tucker going to have a problem?”
“Not if I can help it.” Harrison rubbed her temple. “Jacob’s protective, you know how he is, but Leah is literally a fireball. And she’s got something to prove these days.” She opened one grey eye and looked directly at Sarah. “Something about clearing up the family name.”
Sarah lowered her chin, studying her already scuffed shoes. “So where this guy? What’s his name?”
“Get this,” She lowered her voice. “Maris. His name is Winston ‘Winnie’ Maris.”
“Shit.” Con studied Sarah, his expression mirroring Harrison’s. “You don’t have to do this, you know. We can get the book without you.”
Her grandmother had never raised her to believe in coincidence. After all these years, the same families that had started this were still right in the middle of everything. The Abbotts, the Gryffins and one slimy, underhanded Maris. The only one missing was Aaron. One way or another, they would find their answers. And then all those silent dead who’d been forgotten could be at peace.
“You can’t get rid of me, Conway,” She let Lorie’s hand go and crossed her arms stubbornly. “We do this together. You promised.”
“Hell, I did, didn’t I?” He didn’t look happy about it, but he grabbed her arms and tugged her closer. “This love stuff is harder than it looks.”
She gasped in surprise and he took that opportunity to kiss her. Right there in front of Harrison, Lorie, and any underground resident who happened to pass by.
“Okay, you two.” Harrison snapped her fingers. “Cursed book to steal. Criminal to catch. Sister-in-law to save from clutches of evil man with a stupid name.”
Lorie laughed. “Sounds like we have our hands full. Can’t wait.”
Sarah leaned back in Con’s embrace and noticed his sister’s narrowed gaze. Specifically when it turned on her. “What have you done with my brother?” Harrison demanded. “He’s never been the adventure type.”
Sarah winked. “You’d be surprised.”
“No I wouldn’t, because you’re never going to tell me. Believe me there is such a thing as oversharing. My best friend married my other two brothers—a girl can only take so much.” Harrison shook her head and pushed passed them, striding ahead of them down the tunnel. “Come with me if you want to meet Winnie. And follow my lead.”
When they reached the stained steel door, Sarah was ready. She obediently stayed behind Lorie and Con, not wanting to be seen in case, for any reason, she was recognized.
A Maris had the book.
Hester Maris had been an evil woman. She reveled in the pain of others. Human or Magian. Any misfortune that befell another became a reason for her to delight. If her relative was anything like she’d been, Sarah wasn’t sure she would be able to contain her loathing.
She wondered now if it had been Hester’s idea all along. If she’d been the keeper of the second book, the book that would ensure Sarah’s eternal suffering. Perhaps she’d made a deal with Aaron.
But Hester had never been a powerful Magian. Or incredibly bright. What she had been was manipulative and sly, which in the right circles, made up for her other deficiencies.
“May I help you?” a nasally voice asked through a small opening in the door.
“Oh, I hope so.” Harrison’s tone had changed. It sounded sultry. Feminine. Helpless. “Is this the home of Mr. Maris? My sister-in-law asked me to come and get her right away.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “She doesn’t want my husband to know about her little money problem.”
“Of course. Of course.” The door opened and Sarah leaned around Con, attempting to catch a glimpse. “Helluva way to keep a secret. Who did you bring with you?”
Harrison’s laugh was careless. “These guys? Just overprotective family, you know how that is. For some reason they didn’t want me, a grown woman, coming down here alone. Isn’t that silly? But I have to admit I might have gotten lost in those tunnels. I never knew this place existed. Is it very exciting to live here?”