We move out to the back patio and tie the man up to a palm tree with the belt on his robe. Anders then takes off one of his own socks and shoves it into the man’s mouth.
I’ll give this to my brother: he’s efficient. Elegant. Once the senator is properly trussed, he leans over and whispers in the man’s ear. The man’s eyes widen in fright and he tries to speak through the sock.
“I understand that this is a distressing moment for you, Theodore,” he says, using the man’s given name. “However, you were about to rape a young boy, and there’s a price to be paid for that kind of fuckery.”
He tries to tongue out the sock while yelling around it as best he can, but Anders got it in there pretty good.
“Shh-shush-shh. Theo, Theo, Theo. Yes. We know who you are. And we know what you do. So I’m going to spend a little bit of time with you, make sure I have all of the details I need, and then you’re going to say good night. Nod your head if you understand.”
Big crocodile tears stream from his eyes as he nods.
“Good boy.”
For the next seven minutes, my brother, without drawing a drop of blood or leaving a single mark, scratch, or bruise, coaxes more agony out of the man than he’s probably experienced in his entire life. Under normal circumstances, I’d be horrified.
Maybe my brother isn’t the only sociopath in our family.
Anders pats his face, removing the sock. “You did so well, Theo. Now, I’m going to need you to tell me everything that you know about this operation. In full detail. And if I find that you’ve lied about or omitted even one tiny detail, you’ll find out why I call that first little appetizer I gave you seven minutes in heaven.”
Theodore Christian Kane sings like a bird. His details match our own, and he gives us a few more, including the names of two politicians who weren’t on our radar.
“Good boy, Theo. You have finally earned your rest,” Anders says, holding out his hand to me for the rope. The good senator is cooperative, holding nice and still as Anders matches the pattern I used, and he doesn’t even struggle as we let his body weight choke the life from him.
As we remove any evidence of our presence here, I turn to my brother. “So is that what you do? Just whisper something horrible, hit a few pressure points, promise worse, and they give up the information?”
Anders stands up, brushing himself off. “You know what, brother? Let’s just say yes and keep it at that.”
Maybe it’s better not to know.
“Deal.”
He smiles, tapping his forearm to mine.
Using a secure phone, I give DeShaun the update. I’m efficient and professional, and I manage to keep all traces of heartache out of my voice.
“So wait, you’re telling me a senator was in the house?”
“Yes, sir.”
“State or federal?”
“I think you know the answer to that.”
There is only one senator from the great state of Texas who isthatslimy.
“Do you think this is indicative of more data corruption?”
“He wasn’t on the logs. My gut is that this was a pop-in, though we should definitely follow up on it.”
“But it went well though, right?”
“Yes,” I say, nodding to myself, hoping I still sound calm and confident. “Jake’s details were perfect, and Anders got some very interesting information that we’ll want to follow up on.”
“Do I want to know how he got that information?”
“No need to ruin your day, boss.”
We hang up, and I make my way out to the portico as Thane, Rafi, and Abigail shove the body of the last guard into the back of the SUV. The young woman huddles in the back seat with Abigail and Anders while Rafi sits next to the boy in the middle seat. It’s only when I get settled in and check him out in the rearview mirror that I recognize the kid. Turning to face him, I pull Parker up on the Bluetooth.
