Wolfe drew out a chair, flipped it around, and straddled it. “I work for Mr. Times’s partner.”
Eddie stilled. “You have a partner.”
Raider tried to blush and took the other seat. “Yeah. A normally silent one, but he wasn’t happy with the amount of funds I let you transfer yesterday, and he sent Wolfe to gather more information. To meet you.”
Eddie leaned back, looking from Raider to Wolfe. “I don’t do business with silent partners. We meet, or no dice.”
Wolfe smiled, and the sight was chilling. “I’m the face and voice of my boss. The only chance you’ll ever have to meet him is in hell, and hopefully none of us are going there for a while.” He turned and faced Jonny P directly. “Up to you.”
Man, Wolfe was a frightening bastard when he wanted to be. Raider aimed for an earnest expression. “I’ve done business for five years with Wolfe and my partner, and that’s how I’ve built the organization so quickly. Too quickly, since we need your help laundering the money.”
“For now,” Wolfe interjected.
Raider leaned in. “The Thailand and India projects are mine. My partner wants nothing to do with those kinds of enterprises.” If he could get Eddie to open up about the trafficking, maybe they wouldn’t need to hit the computer. “You and I have that in common and maybe could expand our business relationship beyond laundering.” He kicked back as if this were a casual meeting about office supplies. Being too eager with Eddie would tip him off.
Eddie looked at Wolfe. “What’s the name of your boss? Maybe I’ve heard of him.”
“He has no name, face, or voice,” Wolfe said. “I’m it. All you’ve got. If you want fifty percent of the funds”—he cut Raider an irritated look—“then it’s me or nothing. I can be a good friend to have, Eddie Coonan.”
If that wasn’t a threat, Raider didn’t know what was. “I like you, Eddie. I think we could do some very profitable business together.”
“You should’ve told me you had a partner,” Eddie said, his expression harsh. His frown cleared. “With him throwing in Wolfe here, he doesn’t trust you?”
“Oh, he trusts me,” Raider said easily. “Otherwise, one of us would’ve killed the other by now.”
Wolfe nodded. “True statement. We’re great partners to have.”
Eddie’s cheek twitched. “You want me to convince you to work with me?”
Wolfe shrugged. “It appears we’re already working with you. I’m here just to make sure it’s a good idea.”
“And if it isn’t?” Jonny P asked, his hand inching for his weapon.
Wolfe didn’t blink. “Must we really throw threats back and forth? Obviously we all know our jobs, are successful, and have no problem taking care of the competition.” He looked at Raider. “Do they have any idea how much you enjoy making bodies disappear?”
Raider straightened his shoulders. “I’ve kept my hobbies to myself. Thanks.”
Eddie tossed his napkin on his half-eaten spaghetti. “My answer is no. I don’t work with people I haven’t met.” He pushed back from the table. “I’ll get you your half of the money we worked yesterday, within two weeks. Other than that, we’re done.”
Wolfe sighed heavily and drew out a square black box with a blinking red light above a round blue button. “Plan B it is, then.”
Eddie paused. “What’s that?”
Wolfe eyed the blinking light. “My boss has some impressive connections in the government, and this is a prototype that has great potential. That button? If I push it, those explosives Raider told me about will go kaboom.”
Jonny P snorted. “You’re serious.”
“Yep.” Wolfe looked deadly serious. “In fact, any explosive device within a half block, other than old-fashioned dynamite, which you don’t have, will detonate.”
“Bullshit,” Eddie said, his chin lowering. “My explosives are beyond the shield, as we call it. It’s a fantastic jammer.”
“Yeah. Government. Can get beyond your jammer.” Wolfe cocked his head. “Wanna bet on it?”
Eddie’s mouth compressed into a thin line. “If this building comes down, you die.”
Wolfe twisted his torso and confiscated Jonny P’s gun while still holding the detonator in his free hand. “I’m ready to die, Mr. Coonan. Are you?”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
