The shock still gripped her when Frank looked up. She stuttered a few times before forcing out a greeting. “Thanks for coming.”
He tipped his head back and stared up at Shane. “Who are you?”
Shane shook his head. “Not important.”
“It is to me.”
“He’s with me.” Makena slid onto the bench across from Frank and waited until Shane sat next to her to start talking to Frank again. “As I said on the phone, we need to ask you a few questions.”
Frank shot a quick glance in Shane’s direction before focusing on Makena. He reached a hand across the table. “I heard about your house. Are you okay?”
She folded her hands together on her lap. No way was she giving this guy mixed signals.
Shane jumped in and asked, “How?”
Frank frowned. “What?”
“How did you hear about the attack?” Nothing in Shane’s tone suggested he had an ounce of patience left. His words came out in staccato bursts and he looked half-ready to lunge across the table and pounce. Probably would have done so if kids weren’t playing on a swing set in the distance.
She decided to step in before she witnessed another bloodbath. “Frank, please. We need you to answer these questions.”
He finally nodded. “There’s an online group. Men who have been targets by the Wall of Dishonor website. They talk and someone mentioned you were in trouble.”
“Trouble?”
Frank swallowed. “Attacked.”
Her stomach fell. She could have sworn she heard it thud against the ground. A sick shaking moved through her as she tried to imagine the conversation and information these men shared. “So they all know where I live?”
“Not before the police were called in.” He winced. “They do now.”
She didn’t realize her foot had started tapping until Shane put a hand over her knee. The touch should have soothed her. At any other time, it would have. But not now.
She knew these men and how desperately they held on to their lies. How they viewed themselves as victims and took zero responsibility for their behavior. Except for Frank. He’d stepped up, but now that she knew about the loop and his involvement... She kept her mouth closed because she feared she’d start throwing up any second.
Shane gave her knee a gentle squeeze. “Did you know about the group?”
She could only shake her head. She’d almost regained the ability to form words when a wall of indignation smacked into her. The mix of fury and frustration pounded off Shane. Sitting so close, she could practically feel the fire burning inside him.
“Holding back information, Frank? I thought you were all about making amends.” Shane didn’t move, but he looked bigger, more formidable. Somehow his body expanded and all the air around them stopped, as if suspended. “You understand how guilty that makes you look.”
“I wouldn’t be here if that were true.” Frank’s jaw tightened along with his fists. Only the slight bobble in his voice gave him away.
And Shane didn’t back down. If anything, he leaned in. “I’m not so sure.”
“Who are you, again?”
Shane ignored the question. “Is anyone on this loop taking credit for the attack?”
“No.” Frank held up his hands as if he thought he could hold back the flood of anger shooting at him. “No, I would have said something. There was no warning. No one is admitting anything.”
She almost hated to ask but had to. “Is anyone celebrating it?”
Frank nodded. “Everyone.”
She really was going to be sick, right there where little kids played. She wanted to get up, pace around...move across the country. Somehow she stayed in her seat. Clamping on to Shane’s hand with both of hers helped. Feeling his strength fed her. Helped her focus the rage and panic coursing through her at backbreaking speed.
“Except you, of course.” Shane’s voice dipped lower.
Makena knew that meant trouble. When his tone went soft, he hovered on the brink of explosion. This time she didn’t plan to stop him.
“I’m trying to help here. I came when called. I’ve provided information on other men.” Frank jerked in his seat when a dog started barking.
“Then give me what I need to look in on this loop.” Shane took out his cell phone and swiped the keyboard.
The move seemed so normal, so every day, but something grabbed her attention. He didn’t enter a lock code. She concentrated, studying the black rectangle in his hands. Yeah, that wasn’t his phone. She had no idea where it had come from or why he had two, but now was not the time to ask.
“You can’t just sit in or read along. This is a private loop and these guys guard all the information on there very closely.” Frank’s fidgeting ratcheted up. He looked around and leaned in. His hands kept moving.