Eli didn’t know what to say. All the stuff Daniel had done, he should have done, and he didn’t know why he didn’t, and he resented the fuck out of Daniel for just turning up and—
“My grandad would have said sometimes it’s hard to see the wood for the trees.”
Eli stared at him in annoyance. What the fuck did that even mean?
“When you’re very close to a situation, sometimes it takes a fresh set of eyes.” Eli didn’t reply. “We need to go see this girl’s parents while we’re up here.”
Eli toed the ground. “I’ll see you later, then.”
Daniel frowned. “I said ‘we.’”
“Nah, Mr. Hotshot FBI guy. She’d wanna see you.”
“And you’re the one with the scar on his face,” Daniel snapped. “You’re the one that needs to dispel ignorance. I can help you fight it, but I can’t do it for you.”
“Did I ask you to?” Eli shot back.
They both stood staring at each other. Daniel had no right. But a small part of Eli told him he wasn’t being fair. He didn’t know why he’d never asked Connie about helping Molly.
Yeah, you do. And he was called Carl Ramsay.
“I didn’t know about the surgery,” Eli admitted at last. “They never thought it could be done. It isn’t as simple as the surgeon wearing the gloves because there’s the whole sterilizing thing, and touching Bo’s eyes would heat the instruments.”
“I thought Finn said you were teaching Bo to control it?”
“Meaning?”
Daniel shrugged. “All I know is my grandad had his cataracts done with a local anesthetic. I know that’s terrifying for a teenager, and the surgeon would have to be on board with zero sedation, but if you don’t ask you never know. Didn’t I read that on the last case Finn met an enhanced child whose dad is a neurosurgeon? The kid who never sleeps.”
Eli nodded. “Kyle Rayner.”
“Well, the dad might be friendly with an eye surgeon. Even one that might be willing to give his time for free.”
Eli opened his mouth to say that was ridiculous, but he shut it quickly. Just because that sort of shit didn’t happen in his world didn’t mean it wasn’t possible.
“I know you’re used to having to do everything on your own,” Daniel said. “But that’s not how this happens anymore.” He gestured between himself and Eli and dropped his voice. “I don’t know everything you went through.”
Daniel held his hand up as Eli opened his mouth, probably to tell him to fuck the hell off, but Daniel carried on. “You said you weren’t staying. Fine. But wouldn’t it make a lot more sense while we are actually trying to make sure this bastard goes down that we work together?”
Eli stared back at Daniel. The fuck-you still warred with the knowledge that Daniel was right, and maybe he had some idea about helping Bo. Maybe he was making a lot of sense, Eli admitted grudgingly.
“And I promise not to kiss you again.”
Eli spluttered. “The hell?”
“Which quite frankly has to earn me a gold medal. I mean.” He waved a hand at Eli and arched an eyebrow like stopping kissing Eli would be a struggle. Because of how I look.
Daniel walked straight past Eli’s car and carried on talking. “We’ll call back for yours. Caroline and Mark O’Keefe, Ashlyn’s parents, live less than half a mile away.”
Eli—still rendered speechless—got in Daniel’s car and fastened his seat belt.
And wondered, really wondered, what the hell had just happened.
And maybe even why some small part of Eli—buried for so long he didn’t think it existed anymore—really liked it.
Chapter Sixteen
Eli stood behind Daniel as he knocked on the door, his ID in hand to flip open. “Mrs. O’Keefe?” Daniel smiled politely as she opened the door.
Her hand flew to her throat. “What’s wrong?”
“We’re investigating the accusations of assault you made on your neighbor’s foster son, Robert Turner, ma’am. May we come in?”
She nodded and moved back, then noticed Eli as he stepped up with the same identification already in his hand. Eli stayed calm as her eyes widened and alarm flickered over her face. “This is my partner, Special Agent Stuart,” Daniel added smoothly.
She swallowed, then looked back at Daniel. “I hadn’t realized it was a federal matter.” Which Eli was sure wasn’t what she really wanted to say.
“Normally no, ma’am, but we are members of a special unit specifically set up to deal with crimes committed by enhanced individuals. We are usually based in Tampa, but my partner was one of the agents who initially rescued Robert and his siblings.”
She pressed her lips together as if she was undecided, but then took a step back. “Rescued?” Her eyes flicked between Daniel and Eli. Eli noticed Daniel didn’t explain further, but she was obviously unaware of Bo’s history. He knew they were both bound by confidentiality, but Daniel using the word “rescued” was clever.
Daniel and Eli followed her through to the kitchen where a man sat at the kitchen table next to a young girl studiously poring over a school book. This must be Ashlyn. “Mr. O’Keefe?” Daniel asked, striding to the man at the table. He shook his head and stood, extending his hand. Daniel introduced them both again.
“No, I’m Tray Crawford, Caroline’s brother.” They shook hands. Eli stepped forward and did the same. Tray showed no hesitation in shaking Eli’s hand. They all sat, and Tray looked at his sister. “What’s all this, Caro?”
Eli put his hand out to Ashlyn, who looked like she was trying to disappear under the table. “Hi, Ashlyn. I’m Eli.”
She looked up, eyes nearly brimming with tears, and her mom pulled her close and away from Eli. “You can understand I’m sure how she would be too scared to touch your hand, Agent.”
Eli just smiled and sat down. He’d been hoping to get a read on her.
“I wondered if Ashlyn could tell us in her own words exactly what happened?” Daniel asked pleasantly.
Ashlyn turned her face into her mom’s side. “It’s been documented,” Mrs. O’Keefe said. “I’m not sure why she should have to go through this again.”
“Because if Robert gets prosecuted for assault, there’s a good chance he won’t be able to stay at home with his family. There may be even a case for removing Ruth and Peter from their home as well.”
Eli noticed Ashlyn look up at that and stare at Daniel. She bit her lip.
“I’d like to hear what happened,” Tray said. He nudged Ashlyn. “How ’bout you tell me?”
Ashlyn looked at her uncle but still didn’t say a word.
Eli glanced down at the book. “Can I see?” He held his hand out so Ashlyn would have to pass it to him.
Crybaby.
Eli heard the words clear as day as soon as he touched the book. He looked down at the neat work. He glanced at her mom. “You must be very proud of Ashlyn. I don’t write this neatly now, never mind in sixth grade.” Not that he’d ever been in sixth grade, but it had the desired effect, and Ashlyn’s mom softened a little.