to get the security footage from the houses on the river. One of the couples was on a month-long world cruise, which is why we hadn’t heard back from them. What a life, huh? Anyway, we got an ID on the boat. It’s registered to Randy Ackerman.”
“Ackerman? Like as in Corey Ackerman?”
“Yep, it was his father’s boat that took a shot at Trey that day.”
“Fuck, and he knows where Trey is. Thanks, Felix,” I said, hanging up.
“Guys, we’ve got a problem.”
Chapter 33
Trey
Corey paced restlessly but kept glancing over towards us. Gavin lay on the floor by the back of the sofa, and I was sitting in the chair facing towards the side yard. Time ticked by slowly as I sat there trying to figure out what my next step should be. From where I sat, I could see both the river and the driveway. On the one hand, I kept watching the driveway praying a car would pull in. On the other, I was terrified of what he might do if one did. I ran each letter through my mind trying to think of something that could get him to stop. Get him to think about what he was doing, but it was obvious that he wasn’t mentally stable at this point. I wasn’t sure if I should stay quiet so he wouldn’t become agitated or if I should try to reason with him.
He continued pacing and talking to himself, or God maybe, I don’t know. He was far enough on the other side of the large room I couldn’t hear him. There had to be something I could say that could buy us some time. Rebecca was going to let Fredrick know where we were, so that meant at some point, Roman would find me.
“Corey, you should let Gavin go. You said he was innocent. What if he gets hurt?”
“I have no intention of hurting an innocent, but if it happens, it was God’s will. I am here doing his work.”
Gavin let out a small gasp, and I tried to give him a reassuring smile. “Corey,” I tried again. “God wouldn’t send you to kill someone. God is love and—”
“Oh, Malcolm, God is love? Really? Have you even read your bible?”
“You know I have.”
“Then how can you say that? Our God is the same God who struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt. Who sent his followers into a foreign land saying destroy all they have, do not spare a single man, woman, child, or baby. Who said anyone who breaks the covenant should be taken to the city gates and stoned to death. Oh, no, Malcolm, our God is a vengeful God. And he gave you everything. He gave you parents who loved you. He gave you looks and charm. He gave you money and power. And you turned your back on him.”
I gaped at him. Corey had all those things as well. I never realized he hated me so much. I was trying to figure out what to say. Then he continued on.
“But still, you could have been forgiven for that. But by allowing the demon to possess your spirit, you’ve left me no choice. From those who are given much, much is expected. You were given everything. But instead of honoring that gift, you allowed it to taint first you and then others. It is the others you must be punished for. It is said that if your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, you should cut it off. But to cause others to stumble, that is the greatest sin.”
“Corey, I don’t know what you think I did—”
“I saw you, you know. In that club in North Carolina. I didn’t realize at first what it was. I saw you and your friend Ash walking down the street, and I called to you, but you didn’t stop. I wondered what you were doing, so I followed you. The things I saw that night. I didn’t know such depravity existed. I got out of there as soon as I realized, but not before I saw you dancing with another man, rubbing your body against his, tempting him.”
Roman
“You’re sure this is the best way to do this?” Ryan asked as we pulled into the marina.
“Yes, how many times have I told you that I hate guarding waterfront property because it’s too easy for someone to come in from the water? It’s the best way.”
We’d driven to the address Rebecca had given us and scoped