“And…fucking hell, Toni, this isn’t a movie, I don’t want the suspense.”
“Scott found him in the garage in his car, dead.”
Motherfucking hell. “Killed himself?”
He shook his head. “Will said there were marks around his neck like he was strangled.”
“Likely got into the car to leave for the meeting, and someone was waiting for him in the back seat,” Alex added.
“We have to get Penn out of there. What did my lawyer say?”
“In court, be here as soon as he can.”
“We never should have gone with this fucking plan.” I furiously texted Penn, telling him he had to get out of there, that it wasn’t safe. The chances of someone else reading it was high, but I had no other way to tell him. When he still didn’t answer, I’d had enough. “I’m going in.”
“Sir, in this vehicle you’re protected by bulletproof glass. This SUV can take a lot. If you step out and Lorcan’s gotten wind of what’s happening here today, someone could be waiting to take you out.” Alex was probably right but if I stayed here and did nothing, Penn was going to be in danger.
“I can’t leave him in there with the wolves.”
“I’ll go in,” Toni offered. “Let me see what I can find out.”
I hated it. I wanted to storm in there, grab Penn, and get him out of there…not to mention hide him away in my bedroom where no one would ever even look at him funny. But if I walked out of here and died, it would make it all the worse for him.
“Fine, there’s a chance they may not know who you are. Do you have any of your aliases with you?”
He pulled out his wallet. “Always.”
“Okay, go.”
I checked in with Dean while Toni went inside—wanted to make sure all was quiet there and was relieved when he said it was. One thing I could relax about.
Less than ten minutes, later Toni texted me.
We have a problem.
Problem? This whole thing was a giant fucked-up problem.
What?
The cop here said Penn is being held on suspicion to commit arson.
How does a guy who goes in to state he saw someone setting a house on fire, turn into a suspect?
I linked Alex and Danny into the chat. “Alex, tell my lawyer if he wants a Christmas bonus this year he better get his fucking ass here now!”
“Yes, Boss.”
Toni, stay in there, let the officer know his lawyer is on the way.
Got it.
“What are we doing, Boss?” Alex asked.
I had to get Penn out of this clusterfuck that should never have been.
“Word on the lawyer.”
“He swore he’s doing the best he can.”
