"It's all there,” Silas said. “There are no copies. Tell your boss to transfer the money, and we can all go our separate ways.”
The squad leader ejected the drive, pulled it from the port, and slipped it into his pocket. “How do I know you haven’t made any copies?”
Silas smiled. “You’ll have to take my word for it. I'm a businessman with an established reputation for taking care ofmy clients. My word is my bond, and I have never doublecrossed a client."
The squad leader pulled a pistol from a holster and took aim at the laptop. He fired two shots into it, and the deafening bang echoed off the bulkhead, ringing my ears.
Key caps scattered, and smoke wafted from the device.
It set everyone on edge.
Hands gripped rifles tightly, and fingers moved to triggers.
I had my probable cause. But now was not the time to flash a badge.
"Whoa!” Silas protested. "What the hell did you do that for?"
"Insurance. You can afford to buy a new one after my boss transfers the funds.”
Paige stood in the galley with wide eyes.
Silas checked his phone to see if the transaction had completed. "The money hasn't come through yet. Tell your boss I expect prompt payment."
The two stared at each other for a long moment.
Paige looked like she was about to explode. She couldn’t bite her tongue any longer. "Where's Tonya?”
The squad leader gave her a quizzical look. He was just a hired hand. He didn't know who she was from Adam. He said to Silas, "Who’s she?"
"She's just a friend. An ex-friend, really, if you know what I mean," he said with a wink.
A long, tense moment occupied the salon.
The squad leader gave a subtle glance to his companions. Something was about to go down.
My body tensed, and adrenaline surged. I knew what was coming next.
47
There was a long, tense moment.
“Guys, are we good?” Silas asked.
“We’re good,” the squad leader replied.
“Great. Let’s make sure I get paid. That needs to happen before anyone leaves the boat. Contact your boss.”
After a long hesitation, Squad Leader said, “Sure thing.”
He pulled a phone from his pocket and sent a text. A moment later, he got a message back, then said, “You’re all set.”
Silas watched his phone, waiting for the transfer.
Rage boiled on Paige’s face. “What happens to Tonya?”
Squad Leader stared at her for a moment, then took an ominous step toward her.
She backed up as he advanced, but she was cornered in the galley.
