“Effectively cut off,” Colin finished. “No calls, no letters, no go-betweens.”
Esther nodded. “Which means if he arranged anything, it had to happen before now. If there’s a threat in motion, it’s already out there.”
Joshua looked between them, his voice raw. “So we’re not worried about what he might do from Red Onion. We’re worried about what he already did before he got there.”
“Exactly,” Norm said. “We’re pulling his call logs and visitor logs from Buckingham. If there’s a trail, we’ll find it.”
He stared at the floor, lips pressed into a hard, thin line. After a moment, he slammed his fist down on Esther’s desk. “Son of a bitch!” He spun to face Clayton. “Are investigators working the angle that the killer was from Moreno’s crew?”
“They are,” Norm said. “They’re already pulling phone records, known associates, surveillance hits. Trying to pin down who had the motive and the balls to carry it out.”
Colin sighed, nodding. “But Elias himself?”
Clayton shrugged. “They won’t touch him yet—not unless they get something solid, which is highly unlikely. He’s too smart to put his name on anything like this.” He drew in and exhaled a deep breath. “In my opinion, the more likely candidate isLexi.”
Colin let out a dry laugh. “Yeah. I’m sure when they questionhim, the truth’ll comepouringout.”
“Three members of your security detail will escort you home to pack,” Esther told them both. “They’ll take you to the hotel to check in, then bring you back here. One member of the detail will escort Joshua to Rainier.”
Colin spun toward her. “Esther, I want Joshprotected!”
“Two agents will stay with Josh—one at the clinic, one at the hotel. Three will handle your coverage here. The schedule’s still being finalized.”
Colin gave a grim nod and slumped into his chair. “Fine.”
Seeing his expression, Joshua leaned against his arm. “Colin, I’m so sorry.”
“I got that guy killed, Josh,” Colin murmured, gazing down at the floor. “He’s dead because he worked for me.”
“Colin,no,” Joshua moaned.
“I brought this down on us,” Colin whispered.
“Colin, don’t be ridiculous!” Esther exclaimed. “You followed thelaw!”
“I know, Esther, but…"
“Wait!” Joshua insisted. “Wait a …”
“What other choice did youhave? Let Lexi Morenogo? He was arrested for Commercial Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and at least four subsidiary charges related to that crime!”
Colin’s eyes locked with Esther’s as Joshua slowly rose to his feet, his features grim.
“You followed thelaw,” Esther repeated. “You did yourjob! If Norm had drawn the case, he would have done the same thing as would any prosecutor in this office! Lexi Moreno was using ten, eleven, and twelve-year-old children to staff a prostitution ring designed to accomodate malignant pigs who enjoy having sex with minors! He was indicted by a grand jury, given a fair trial, found guilty by a jury of his peers, and sentenced by a duly appointed Commonwealth jurist.Youdid nothing! Thelawput Moreno in prison, not you.”
“So fuckingwhat?!” Joshua blurted out, unable to contain himself any longer. “What the hell are you talking about? I don’t give a fuck what put Lexi Moreno in prison! He’s threatening my husband’slife! The rest is semantics! Just–legalisticbullshit!”
“Josh, we’ll see that Colin is protected!” Esther assured him. “Look. I know this is all upsetting but…”
“Upsetting?” Joshua interrupted, his tone cool and razor-sharp. “I’m not upset, Esther. I’mangry. A goddamn mob kingpin is threatening to murder my husband and hasalreadymurdered one of his informants. And so far, all we’ve gotten from this office is exile to a Charlottesville high-rise and a shit-ton of legal jargon.”
Esther’s eyes narrowed, her tone clipped. “This isn’tjargon, Joshua. It’s the law — and the law is the only weapon we have against people like Moreno.”
“Josh.” Colin’s voice cut in low. “I promise you, no one here is going to forget what really matters.” He took Joshua’s hand and turned to Esther. “Who’s going with us to the house? Let’s get this shit show on the road.”
Esther spoke into her intercom while Joshua tightened his fingers around Colin’s, feeling his heart hammering against his chest. Then, seeing Colin’s anguished expression, he linked their arms together. “I know how hard this hits you. I’m so sorry.”
“He was a good guy, Josh,” Colin said, his voice low. “He tried hard. He wanted a better life. We could’ve moved him, but he refused the protection.” His head snapped as he hissed out an anger-filled noise. “Goddammit!”
