"Fat." Riley chuckled. "Now tell me what's going on?"
"Rhaven got the FBI caring about this. That means more resources. Bradley's flying out to Texas tomorrow - the state prison - to interview one of the men convicted of raping Dez. She remembers a group of nine, and I'm pretty sure one of them was Soul Reaper. The group didn't have clear leadership at that time, so it's the first recorded incident we have of them, but I'm starting to think there's something else going on."
"What else?" she asked.
"Nine people," he said, "but they alternated who was there at what time. Nine for three days, then two left, then one more left, then two came back..." he paused. "Fuck. That's what's been staring me in the face. The first guy never returned."
"Ok?" Riley just nodded, hoping she'd helped somehow, even though she hadn't done anything. "Anything you need from the rest of us?"
"Yes," he said. "My fianc茅e is hoping for some time with Kate while we're here. If you can talk to Ice and make sure he knows that she's seriously excited for it? I figured that will all but guarantee that it happens. And yes, Zara's here. Yes, I'm staying with Rhaven and Braden. No, I'm not going to be much fun, but that's ok. Oh, and see what Psyc can help with? Worst case, he can at least go through the online records, since he's not working..."
"Will do," Riley promised. "Dread?"
"He's got a baby," Cyn reminded her. "Same as Murder and Kitty. Not dragging them in because family comes first."
"Murder's already planning to help," Riley assured him. "I'll give Dread a head's up, just so he can watch his back. The rest of us are here to help. Use your informants, Jason."
"I am," he promised. "We're also moving fast, because we finally got the all-clear from up above. The Director wants this solved, and you know what that means?"
"You're going to solve it," she said. "Jason, if you need me, I'm here."
"And your little brother is a better hacker," he countered. "Oh, and tell Logan to check his email. Chance made a job offer to Zara, and she had it sent to him to look over. Personal favor to me, babe. She's trying very hard not to get excited about this, but I think she is. It's a job making music for games, Riley. Kinda her big dream. Well, sorta."
"It is now that she knows you," Riley said, proving she understood what he meant. "I'll have him send that back today so it's ready and waiting for Chance Monday morning. Tell Bradley that if he needs a place to crash, we'll find him one. I know we aren't close, but the offer's there. And you? Breathe, Jason. We're all in. All of us. If you need it, we'll drop everything else."
"Then I promise I'll ask," he said. "I just have to figure out what the fuck is up with this rotation of people. I can't fucking figure it out, but I will."
"Alcohol," Riley suggested. "Tequila. Stop thinking and let it happen, bro."
"Not drinking at noon on the weekend," he countered. "But if I can't figure it out, I'll give it a try. Why not, right?"
"Exactly," Riley agreed. "Make us proud, Agent Raige."
She ended the call and passed the phone back to Murder, who was now sipping on a very full cup of coffee. In her arms, Ryan was asleep, but Riley had a feeling that if she put him down he'd wake back up. Not that the little man was spoiled or anything. Nope, not at all. He just happened to have an entire herd of aunts and uncles to make sure he never spent a moment alone.
But Murder held out his hands. "I'll put him back in his crib, then you can fill me and Logan in at the same time." And once he had his kid, he jerked his chin at the mug of coffee she'd set down without thinking about it. "That goes inside you, Q."
"Pants, Murder," she reminded him. "Sounds like we're going to be working. All of us, and your little boy is almost out of diapers."
He just chuckled. "Talk about communal living. Is it bad that I like this?"
"Nope," Riley assured him. "I kinda like it too. That's why I bitch about it." Because this version of insanity? She preferred to call it happiness.
Chapter 10
Murder managed to stay up and help until about two in the afternoon. That was when the lack