Josie doesn’t look up from her screen. “He’s not in any of the police reports or arrest records. But since we know who’s bankrolling Summit, we can be pretty confident this guy might be Cartel.”
I look at Josie. “You ever see Vernick with him before? Or know what his connection is?”
She shakes her head. “No. But if Carlos is working for Summit, he could be doing anything—security, intimidation, off-the-books stuff. My guess is he’s the insurance policy you send in when ordinary pressure fails.”
Stone rubs at his jaw, thinking. “Do we know where he’s staying?”
“We’re hunting,” Steel says. “Checked the security cams at the town hall—he left just after Emma. Camera caught him getting into a late-model black Yukon, no plates. I’m looking for where he goes next.”
“Good,” Stone grunts. “Bones—what else do you remember about the warehouse? Anything that might tell us what this Carlos wants?”
I shake my head. “I got in and out as fast as I could. My priority was Emma. But from what I remember—the guys inside were all military or ex-cop types. Could be Carlos was the actual pro they brought in, and the others were muscle.” I spread myhands. “Whoever he is, he’s not going to stop at intimidation. If Summit’s sending him in, things are about to get ugly.”
Hawk leans in. “Want me and Tank to post up at Emma’s physical therapy from now on? And keep an eye on the dance studio in case Carlos tries to grab her again?”
“Not a bad idea,” I say. “But don’t crowd her. Last thing she needs right now is more eyes on her.”
“She’ll have no idea we’re there,” Tank says. “We’ll rotate out, keep it subtle.”
Steel looks up from his phone, blue light reflecting in his glasses. “Got a ping. Yukon parked at a house on South Ridge, just past the old Peterson mill. Satellite view shows it’s still in the drive. Looks like a rental—matches a local AirBnB listing.”
He flashes his screen to us, and Tank leans over for a better look.
“Show me the listing,” Stone says.
Steel pulls it up. “Registered under a fake name, but I’m cross-referencing with credit card data. Check-in was yesterday, check-out scheduled for two days. Likely planned to be in and out for the meeting, then bail. But now that Emma saw him . . .”
“He’ll change plans,” Tank finishes. “Maybe even bug out tonight.”
“Not if we get to him first,” I say, standing.
“Sit down, Bones.” Stone’s voice is calm but firm. “We do this smart. We do this clean. No witnesses, no evidence, nothing that traces back to the club.”
I sit, but every muscle in my body is coiled tight, ready to move.
“Tank and Steel go with you,” Stone continues. “Three of you, one of him. You get in, you handle it, you get out. Hawk stays here in case Summit tries anything else tonight.”
“What about the body?” Tank asks.
“Pig farm up north,” Stone says without hesitation. “Old contact of mine owes me a favor. They’ll take care of it.”
Josie closes her laptop. “I didn’t hear that.”
“Good.” Stone looks at her. “Because legally, this conversation never happened.”
She nods, gathering her things. “I should go. Call me tomorrow about the zoning hearing.”
Stone stands, walking her to the door. They speak in low voices for a moment, then she leaves.
When Stone comes back, his expression is harder. “You three get going. Call me when it’s done.”
We head for the door, but Stone’s voice stops me one more time.
“Bones.”
I turn back.
“Make it hurt.” His expression is cold.
