Page 64 of Shadow Burn

“It is to me.”

The man’s eyes cooled. “You’re not part of the transfer.”

“I am as long as the materials are inside my compound.”

“They don’t belong to you.”

“They don’t belong to you either until I verify the order.”

“You don’t have that authority.”

“I have a gate.” Jasper let his gaze move to the locked bars between them. “That’ll do for now.”

Anger flashed across the courier’s face before his professional mask settled back into place. “Ms. Townsend is risking her position, her clearance, and possibly her freedom if she continues withholding federal documents. I’m here to make this easy for her.”

Jasper shrugged. “I’m well aware of the situation. You showed up here without prior notice, with an order that can only be verified by the man whose authority you claim. So let’s verify it together. Call your boss and let me speak to him.”

“Mr. Upton is not available,” the man spit out, mimicking Jasper’s early words and tone.

Jasper snorted. “Convenient.”

“Just like Ms. Townsend’s unavailability.”

Jasper’s irritation rose another notch. He nodded at the folder. “Set the order down and back away.”

The compound door opened behind him. “Jasper!”

The man’s eyes snapped to a point over his shoulder. Every muscle in Jasper’s body tightened. He didn’t turn. “Stop where you are, Katherine,” he called.

Her steps faltered but didn’t stop.

The courier’s expression flickered with recognition. “Ms. Townsend appears to be available now,” he muttered.

Jasper cast a quick glance over his shoulder. “Katherine, go back inside.”

“That’s him,” she yelled, her voice raw enough to strip the air from the yard. “Jasper, that’s him.”

The courier frowned. “I’m here for the files.”

“You’re lying,” Katherine said, stopping next to Jasper. “You tried to kill me!”

Jasper put an arm out and shifted her behind him. “You’re sure?” he murmured.

Her breathing was ragged. “I’m sure.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” the man said. “I must insist you turn over the files.”

“You came into my bedroom,” she said, pointing a finger at him over Jasper’s shoulder. “You told me I should’ve stayed in the archives.”

Jasper shoved her fully behind him. The man’s mouth became the mouth in Alyssa’s sketch. The polished courier became the man who was now trying to use bureaucratic pressure because the gun hadn’t worked the first time.

Jasper drew his weapon. “Hands where I can see them,” he said.

The driver sat up straighter, leaning forward. The courier’s jaw tightened. “You’re making a mistake.”

“No,” Jasper said. “You did that when you showed up here. Step back. You’re not getting the files, and you’re going to speak to the police.”

The driver’s window slid down. “Get in the car,” he said.