I tensed. "What?"
"I lost him."
I sucked in a breath. What hereallymeant was that his people in Chicago had lost him. Still, the news hit hard. "You mean Carver? Are you fucking serious?"
"What, you think I'm joking?"
"Ihopeyou're joking."
"Yeah, well I'm not."
Just yesterday, we'd touched base, and he'd told me that he'd upped the number of guys watching Carver from a team of threeto a team of five. And when I'd mentioned compensation for the extra manpower, he'd acted insulted – and yeah, just a little pissed.
But then again, neither of us needed the money.
Dumbfounded, I asked, "So how'd you lose him?"
"You're gonna lovethis," he said. "Someone nabbed him right off the street."
"Wait…nabbed him?"
"Yeah. Dragged him into a big, black SUV. Could've been the feds, but I doubt it."
"Why do you say that?"
"Just a hunch. Word is, he owes a lot of money to the wrong people, so there's that."
I gave it some thought. "Are you sure this isbadnews?"
"It is tome," Maddox said. "I promised to keep eyes on him."
"Yeah, so?"
"So, losing him wasn't part of the deal."
I got what he meant.Maddox didn't speak in excuses. And he wasn't impulsive. Once he committed, he didn't let go, which probably went a long way in explaining how he'd gone from being a disgraced member of the silver spoon club to someone you'd never want to cross.
But the wayIsaw it, Maddox had lived up to his promise. Plus, Tessa was up in my suite, nice and close. Even if she didn't move in with me, it would be easier to watch her back, now that we weren't on the outs.
I asked, "So, what's next?"
"We'll continue to track it, watch his place in Chicago and other places he hangs out. Unless he's Hoffa, he'll surface eventually."
"If you ask me, the Hoffa thing doesn't sound so bad."
"Meaning?"
"I'm just saying, I wouldn't be too disappointed if Carver never shows up."
Maddox was silent for a long moment before saying, "I can make that happen."
If this were anyone but Maddox, I'd consider the offer a joke.Still, I made a point of laughing it off, because if things went that far, I wouldn't be asking for help.
I'd be handling it myself.
63
Come Hell or High Water
