“Agreed. I can’t think of anyone off the top of my head, making me want to head to the warehouses and see them directly. Maybe even plant a fake shipment that we can track,” I suggest.
“I like that idea. I’ll be in contact about when I can head out west, but the sooner the better. For all of our sakes. I doubt the guns and computers are the only things they’re selling. Information is just as lethal a weapon as any.” Her grim expression matches the anxiety roiling in my stomach.
“Have you briefed your inner circle yet?” I’ll respect whatever boundaries she wants to instate. If this is an inside job, we’d have to be suspicious of any and everyone.
“Just Azula. I’d like it if we kept this information as private as possible for now. I don’t want to cause any additional alarm…or let the culprit know we’re onto them.”
I nod. “Understood. I’ll tell Aidan and no one else. You have my number, right? In case you need to update me or reach me at all.” Did that come off as desperate? I sure hope not.
Zahra worries her lip between her teeth, uncertain what to say next. “Yes. I have everything I need. It was good seeing you today.”
For the first time today, I feel the tension leave my shoulders. “You too. I’m looking forward to future meetings in the garden.”
She gives me a smile that doesn’t quite meet her eyes as I walk back to the front of the house, where my driver awaits me.
11
ZAHRA
Apiercing screech rings through my head as soon as I place the earpiece in my ear.
“Dammit, Azula. If I don’t die on this mission, my ears may bleed to death if you keep messing around with the microphone.”
“Don’t be so dramatic. Plus, I told you we should practice before I used this. Just because you’re tech savvy doesn’t meanIam,” she sasses.
“I did offer to practice.Youwere the one who insisted you were fine,” I grit through my teeth, adjusting the collar of my trench coat and the scarf around my neck to ensure a majority of my face is covered.
“Mmmm, that’s not how I remember it, but we’ll agree to disagree. Now let me get a better view of where you’re at.” Leaning against a cold red brick wall, waiting for her confirmation, I hear Azula typing away furiously.
My meeting with Declan in the garden had proven incredibly fruitful, though at times I found myself unwittinglygetting lost in his…aura. I try not to beat myself up about that irritating fact too much. Declan is clearly a mastermind when it comes to deception and manipulation. Using stories about my father, feigning interest in my childhood, playing the role of a mourning son —he truly deserves an Academy Award for the facade he’s keeping up. Annoyingly, I had to admit that Declan made for good conversations. I can’t remember the last time I felt so…light. The last time I was able to talk about the happier moments of my life without having to deal with looks or words of pity.
With Declan, or at least with the fake-nice Declan, I felt a sense of security and understanding I hadn’t felt before. Because under the right circumstances, in a world where he didn’t murder my father in cold blood, I could actually see us being friends. Which only manages to irritate me even more. It’s hard to find people who understand you in this line of work. Even harder to find someone you can trust. And Declan could have been both of those things if he weren’t a massive liar.
The only positive of this situation is gaining sound evidence that confirms all of my suspicions about his deceit, thanks to my bug that worked without a hitch. Immediately after our encounter in the garden, I went straight to work. Combing through years of GPS data was going to take time, so I started with the day that changed my life forever. Declan had sworn he was in Maine when our fathers were shot, but his cell phone placed him right at the scene of the crime. I nearly threw up when I unraveled the truth.
Despite my suspicions, I suppose a part of me hoped I was wrong. A part of me that wants to believe there’s no way Declan could have taken my father’s life,taken his own father’s life, and continued on like it was nothing.
Once I exposed that truth, I kept digging. Most of his movements following the murder showed no clear patterns, except for one building he kept visiting. Last week, I had followed him all the way to the site, but was unable to find a secure way to get inside without tipping him off. So, I consulted with Azula, and we decided the best method of action would be to secure the block and nearby streets, and try to speak to the shop owner one on one. From tracking the shop’s patterns, they rarely received any visitors prior to ten am, so I made sure to get there right at nine am.
“Do you need me to help you?” I check in with Azula, tapping my foot impatiently. Though I appreciate her diligence, time is definitely of the essence here.
She clicks her tongue in annoyance. “I got it. You’re a block across from Dedham and Tremont. Based on our surveillance cameras and the thermal readers we installed outside, only the shop owner should be inside.”
“Perfect. And Declan’s still occupied?” I confirm. Based on his calendar, he’s supposed to have a phone call with his uncle today.
“Yup. His uncle has been talking his ear off for the past twenty minutes. Something about Declan not treating him like his second, and how he’ll start waving his dick around to claim his dominance if that doesn’t happen,” Azula grunts.
“Charming.”
“That’s certainly a word for it. Regardless, he shouldn’t be a problem currently so you’re good to go.”
I take off immediately, giving a quick glance to my surroundings before crossing the street and opening the large wooden door to the unsuspecting brownstone building. From the surveillance I’ve gathered, this business, like many in the city, has a front-facing facade. In this instance, I entered anapothecary. The scent of a variety of herbs, supplements, and essential oils hits my nose immediately. Contrary to my expectations, this place has an incredibly cozy atmosphere. To the untrained eye, I could easily see a family shopping here for special oddities, teas, and seasonal candles. But I know better. Given the vast range of natural and synthesized supplements stocked on the shelves, one could easily assume that combining certain chemicals could lead to killing someone just as easily as it could heal another.
“Let me know if I can help you with anything.” The old man standing behind the counter shoots me a soft smile that reminds me of my dad. Especially the way both of their eyes would crinkle along with their lips. My hands start to shake slightly as my heart picks up, beating erratically.
Breathe, Zahra, breathe. Remember why you’re here. Remember who you’re fighting for.
I take a moment to ground myself, noticing the multicolored vials on the cabinets, the extensive array of lavender soaps, and the locally sourced spices.
