Unspoken (Shadow Falls: After Dark #3)(18)

“Did he hand over Feng?” she asked, hoping even when her heart knew that Chase would protect Feng, just as she would her father.

“No. He’s saying a man named Douglas Stone killed your aunt.”

“And?”

“And I only got my hands on the file about the guy two minutes before I got your text.”

“A file?”

“The Vampire Council has been looking for him. But they haven’t been able to find him.”

She slumped back in her chair. “Do you believe any of this? It’s kind of convenient, isn’t it? My uncle is accused of murder and suddenly he knows who killed his sister.”

“You’re right. It could be a lie. But he didn’t just remember who did it. The file shows that the council’s been looking for this guy for over fifteen years.”

“Then why, if Feng’s innocent, hasn’t he come out of hiding? Why hasn’t he stepped forward and told the FRU this?”

Burnett rested his hand on the table. “Maybe because he knows if we don’t find this guy, he’ll be accused. Or maybe … he’s hiding something else.”

“What more could he be hiding?” Della asked.

“I don’t know.”

“But you believe Chase?”

“I believe Chase believes it. I’m just not sure if he’s right.”

“So Chase just shows up right before you come here and hands you a file of who he thinks killed my aunt?”

Burnett pulled his cup closer. “There’s a little more to it than that.”

Something in the way Burnett didn’t meet her eyes when he answered told her there was a lot more to it than that.

“Oh, hell. What is it you’re not telling me?”

Burnett looked up. “Chase resigned from the council.”

“He … did? He was so loyal to them.”

Burnett gave his cup a turn. “And … he put in his resume to the FRU.”

She shook her head. Less than a month ago, when Della thought their relationship was actually going somewhere, she had suggested that Chase do this very thing. He’d countered that she should come to work for the council. They’d butted heads.

Then instead of either of those things happening, she’d discovered all his lies, his deceit, and he ran off.

So why was he doing this now? Did he have ulterior motives?

“Are you hiring him?”

“I don’t hire agents.” He paused. “But yes, the FRU is hiring him.”

“But he came to you about it?” she accused. “So you helped—”

“Actually, he went to them first.”

Burnett picked his cup up. “There’s one other thing. Two, actually.”

“Why do I have a feeling I’m not going to like this?”

When he didn’t answer right away, she exhaled. “Just tell me.”

“Chase will be working under me. And living at Shadow Falls.” He set his cup back down. The clank of the white ceramic cup on the table seemed to punctuate his words.

“Well, isn’t that just jim-dandy. Why?” she asked.

“Several reasons.” His eyes tightened. “While I believe Chase when he says he doesn’t know where your uncle is, it certainly couldn’t hurt to keep a close eye on him in case Feng decides to contact him. You have to agree with that.”

Agree with it, yes, but she liked it about as much as she would a punch to the gut. She pulled her cup close, then, almost as if to punish herself, she took a sip.

Damn, it was nasty. She had to work hard not to gag. “What’s the other reason?”

He leaned forward a bit. “Chase infuriates me. He’s arrogant and hardheaded.”

Does he remind you of anyone? Della almost spouted off, but bit it back.

“In spite of being misguided at times, his intentions are good. With some training, he would be a big asset to both the FRU and Shadow Falls.”

Hearing positive things about someone who’d hurt you was like touching a lemon after getting a paper cut. It stung. All the way to the bone.

Burnett cut her a hard stare. “You and Chase, you’ll get along.”

“Oh, sure we will. Like cake and ice cream.” Or fire and gasoline. “Do you know where he is right now?”

Burnett gave her a hard stare. “Don’t think for one minute I’m saying you have to make amends with him. That decision is yours and yours alone. And if he tries to put any pressure on you—in any way—I’ll kick his ass so hard he’ll find himself in France again before he catches his breath.”

“Don’t worry,” Della said. “If he puts any pressure on me, he won’t be breathing.” She stood up. “Is he at Shadow Falls now?”

Burnett frowned. “It’s almost two in the morning. You’re going back to your house. I’ll call tomorrow and speak to your father about you coming back to Shadow Falls. You can interrogate Chase then.”





Chapter Eight

Worry had been eating away at the lining of Chase’s stomach for an hour. He finally dressed and went out for a few laps around the camp. He flew low, ducking in and out of the trees, just trying to spend some of the negative energy flowing through his veins. He wanted to see Burnett return, and make sure Della was okay, before he ran off to interrogate a few scumbags. Yup, Burnett’s little speech had given Chase a few ideas.