A grim mood hung over Ethan, Skylar, and Lily as they sat in a booth in the far back corner of Peggy’s Pub. Their server went around the table, taking orders. Despite the lively music playing on the jukebox in the corner and the laughter coming from nearby diners, it felt as though the trio was about to be served its last meal. However, the server kept her “I’m still hoping for a tip” smile in place as she jotted down the orders.
“I’ll have a scotch,” Skylar said. “Make that a double. Anything from the top shelf.”
She snorted. “This is a town of three thousand people. Peggy’s Pub doesn’t have a top shelf.”
“Okay, then just give me whatever whisky you got, as long as it’s Scottish.”
Ethan huffed. “Oh, please. You can’t tell the difference.”
“I can too. Scotch whisky is spelled without an E. Irish and American whiskey have one,” he joked.
“You and your whisky.” Ethan shook his head. “Do you drink anything else?”
“Hey, I’m a man of conviction, if nothing else.”
“There’s definitely nothing else. At least order a salad. You look like hell.”
It was true. Dark circles ringed Skylar’s eyes, and the stained-glass light above them highlighted the stress lines that creased his otherwise youthful face. As he handed his menu to the server, it shook in his jittery hands like he hadn’t slept in days.
“Mom says I should eat something green too,” he said. “Surprise me.”
The server jotted it down and turned to leave, but Lily stopped her.
“Oh, I almost forgot. I’ll have the cheesecake to finish before you run out.”
Skylar pointed to the plate with crumbs in front of her. “But you already had one to start.”
“It’s been a long day,” she said. “Besides, they’re small pieces.”
The server picked up the plate. “Good choice. Oh, and don’t forget to stick around for the karaoke competition later. Winner takes home three-hundred bucks, if you’re interested.”
“Thanks,” she said, but there was no chance she’d be getting on that stage.
The moment the server left, Lily leaned onto the table to keep her voice down. “So, what’s going on?”
Skylar’s eyes shifted to Ethan, who sat next to her. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to drag her into this. It could be dangerous.”
Did he know she was right there and spoke English? She hated how he talked over her, like … well, like everyone back home seemed to. “I’m already a part of this. I should at least be aware of what I’m facing.”
“She’s with me,” Ethan said. “Start from the beginning.”
“Well, after we spoke the other day, I contacted Judge Banks. We tried to set up a meeting with your snitch, Carson Moore.”
“Informant,” Ethan corrected.
He huffed. “It must be a family business. Years ago, Timothy Moore got Five Finger Freddy thrown in prison after he ratted him out.”
Ethan held up a finger. “Informed on him.”
“Whatever.” Skylar waved it off like it was the same thing. “Anyway, so Banks and I were supposed to meet at Carson’s place yesterday, but when we got there, his door was busted in, and the place had been ransacked. They were clearly looking for something, maybe a copy of the evidence you said you had.”
“And Carson?”
“He was … Well, if he hadn’t given up the evidence, they sure tried to persuade him. He’s dead. Carson Moore is dead.”
“Oh, my God,” Lily breathed.
Ethan sagged against the booth’s backrest. “This is my fault. He’s dead because I revealed him as my source.”
“To who?” she asked.
“Only a couple of people I trusted the most.” He glanced around like someone could be listening right now. “I don’t even want to say.”
She frowned. “Well, obviously you told the judge. Could he somehow be involved?”
Both he and Skylar made a sound that might have been a laugh at any other time.
“No,” Ethan said. “He’s about as straight and narrow as they come. But I left him multiple messages. Someone could have intercepted them. Or he started inquiring and tipped off the wrong people. This is the Phantom we’re talking about. He has eyes everywhere in Seattle. Heck, his reach goes far beyond that.” He suddenly sat straighter. “Judge Banks. Skylar, have you been in contact with him since that day? If they got to Carson, then he’s in danger too.”
The server appeared with their drinks then. As Lily picked up her vodka soda, her hands shook. She took a long sip on the straw, hoping the rush of alcohol might steady her.
Skylar slung back his drink in one go. “I haven’t spoken to Banks for a few days. His office says he returned to his cabin up by Olympia. But I wouldn’t worry too much. No one outside of this will think twice about Carson’s death.”
“Why not?” Lily asked, gnawing nervously on her straw.
“He doesn’t have the cleanest track record. They’ll chalk it up to a drug deal gone sideways or gang violence. But if a judge winds up dead, people will start to ask questions. If the Phantom still wants people to think he’s in prison, I can’t see him going on a murder spree and proving he’s not.”
“Let’s hope that includes us,” she muttered.
They all leaned back as the server returned. They’d been huddled so close they might as well have been kissing.
“Here you go,” she sang as she set their orders in front of them.
Once the server left to grab them another round of drinks, Lily dug into her stir-fry. She’d never been so hungry in all her life. After only a few bites, her brain picked up speed like a train engine. “How do you know for certain that Carson’s death wasn’t over drugs?”
“It has to be connected,” Skylar said. “It’s no coincidence it comes at the same time I start receiving death threats.”
Ethan’s fork clattered to the plate. “You didn’t tell me that.”
Skylar leaned in even closer, practically dragging his already wrinkled tie through the salad dressing. “Why do you think I didn’t give you a heads-up before coming here? I just hopped into the car and started driving. I had to talk to you, but it was too much of a risk to even make a phone call.”
It looked as though Ethan was barely listening anymore. His eyes bored into his spaghetti.
Lily laid a hand on his back. “What is it?”
“It reminds me of something my mom said to me recently. She said she keeps getting these strange calls from someone threatening her. I … I thought it was her confusion.” He kneaded a fist into the center of his chest like he was choking on a meatball. “I completely disregarded it. What if it was real? What if she’s been in danger this whole time?”
She ducked her head to catch his eye. “Don’t blame yourself for this. You couldn’t have known.”
“I should have. I should have taken her seriously. But what can you expect from a son who cares more about his career than his family?” He shoved his plate of half-eaten spaghetti away.
“Ethan, stop. That’s not fair. It could be nothing. It’s not like you’ve received any threats yet. Maybe we’re in the clear.”
He huffed. “No threats. Just actual attempts on my life. On your life. Can’t get a clearer message than that.” He planted his elbows on the table and buried his face in his hands. “I’m sorry you got dragged into this. You, too, Skylar.”
Skylar pushed his salad away, giving up on it. “Occupational hazard. It’s not my first death threat. Just the first one coming from a crime boss who has a track record of following through.”
Lily frowned as she played with her straw. “But if he’s so good at killing people, then why are we still alive? I mean, there was the rafting accident and the rock-climbing thing. And don’t forget about that black car that nearly ran us off the road the first day. But we’re still here.”
Ethan stared into his empty glass. “That could have been anyone with road rage.”
“But you’d talked to the judge by then. It might be connected. Or maybe none of it is.” The unknowns were making her dizzy—or was that the alcohol? She rubbed her forehead. “But if it was the Phantom, wouldn’t we be dead?”
“He could be toying with us,” Ethan suggested. “Sending us a message. If he doesn’t have the evidence yet, he might want it in his hands before he ties up all the loose ends.”
She shuddered. To be nothing more than a loose end to someone … And at what point would the Phantom decide to tie them up? But something still didn’t fit. A few near-miss accidents didn’t sound like the M.O. of a crime boss. She still couldn’t scratch the two poachers off the list of potential suspects. Just how many people wanted them dead?
Thankfully, the server returned with new drinks. Lily sucked hers back like the answers to her questions sat at the bottom of the glass. They all grew quiet as their plates were cleared.
Once the server left, Ethan finally shook off his self-loathing. “What are you going to do?” he asked Skylar.
“Lie low, and I suggest you do the same. Both of you.” He locked eyes with Lily.
She began making origami with her straw. “For how long? I’m supposed to go back home in a week and a half. I have a family to get back to.”
Ethan caught her eye. “And I will get you back to them. I promise.” His gaze didn’t waver, as though he’d never meant anything more. “The sooner we arrive in Seattle and give the evidence to the right people, the better.”
“And how can you tell the right people from the ones who are on the Phantom’s payroll?” she asked.
“Judge Banks is safe. I know it. He’s our only hope of clearing this mess up and ensuring our safety.”
She bit her lip. She didn’t know anyone involved, but if the Phantom’s reach was as extensive as Ethan claimed, how could they trust anyone?
“I’m not trying to be insensitive here,” Skylar cut in. “But if something were to happen to you, does anyone else know where this evidence is? If you die, does our chance of taking down the Phantom die too? Maybe you should fill me in, just in case. You and I have been through a lot together. I don’t want you doing this all alone.”
Lily touched Ethan’s tense forearm. “He’s not alone. I’m here to help.”
Ethan studied her for a moment before resting his hand over hers. He turned back to Skylar. “Besides, I’ve already put enough people in danger. If I tell you, then you could end up like Carson.”
Skylar raised his hands and leaned back in his chair. “Then I wish you both good luck.” Producing his wallet, he fished out his credit card.
“Don’t worry.” Ethan waved it away. “I’ve got this.”
“Thank you. I should probably avoid using my cards and creating a paper trail the Phantom can follow.”
Ethan slipped out of the booth and gave his friend a hug. “Thanks for coming all this way to warn us. I owe you one.”
When Skylar pulled away, he clapped a hand on Ethan’s shoulder. “We’ve been through worse than this. Remember the court case?”
“How could I forget?” His laugh sounded hollow. “Take care.”
“I’ll be seeing you.”