“I don’t even want to think about what could be waiting for us at a butcher shop,” Gabe said. Ruby winced in spite of herself.

Soon enough, they wouldn’t have to think about it. They would know.

*

Ruby's thoughts raced, trying to keep up with what she'd seen.

The SUV whipped down the darkening road, headlights filtering through the dust. These were the kinds of roads she'd grown up with, not the bustle of Quantico and D.C. Dirt roads and poor maintenance.

They were close. They were so close.

The lights approached, a beacon guiding them to the butcher shop. The high beams lit up a sign, cartoon pig and all, promising just a few more miles and a right turn.

“Murder re-enactors and shrine-building butchers. Who knew my transfer would be so exciting,” Gabe said, his voice twinged with bitterness.

Ruby wanted to promise that it wasn't always like this, but she didn't want to say that out loud. Vallejo's tangled web could prove her wrong.

“You're not in Oregon anymore,” she said instead.

Gabe's hands gripped the steering wheel, keeping control over the rough roads.

“How far is the back-up?” he asked.

They were on the outskirts. It was hard to say. There weren't exactly beat cops rolling around this area.

“Not far,” she said, willing it to be true.

They would do it alone if they had to. If that's what it came down to, Ruby knew she had it in her.

That was how she caught Vallejo, after all. Single-handed, as far from by the book as possible.

“Take this right.”

They pulled into the parking lot of the butcher shop. Around them, the night pressed against the lights like a bruise.

“You see him?” Gabe asked. His hands were white against the steering wheel.

“The pick-up truck, there,” she said, pointing the way.

Toward the back of the utilitarian building was a rusty pick-up.

“He's here,” she said. He was, but their back-up wasn't.

“I say we get him,” Gabe said.

She looked at him, a question on the tip of her tongue. Was this all too easy? Could they be charging into a trap?

Better yet, did they have any other choice?

“Let’s go,” she said finally.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Nothing about being in a butcher’s shop at night appealed to Ruby.

She tried the front door meant for customers first, but it held fast. She waved at Gabe, ushering him to follow her around back where they found a second main door next to an overhead bay door, clearly meant for employees and to off-load animals into the building.

The second door was left unlocked. Ruby flashed Gabe a quick look as she twisted. It was almost too easy. Anything easy put Ruby on edge; it gave her the feeling of walking into a trap. The slow creeeeak of the door as it swung open didn’t help.