“Turns out the money we spent to keep the ground crew quiet wasn’t enough.”
She showed them her phone.
There was an image of Adria, Bryson, Kaydon, and Seth. All four of them had a sanctioned price on their heads. Under each of the bounties was their last known location.
Sinaloa.
Everyone instinctively glanced around.
Eric rubbed his beard. “And the good news.”
Elena brightened. “The good news is that I am not on the hit list. That means the Triune doesn’t know we are working together, which gives us an advantage. AND,” she explained excitedly, “I found some new phones. Everyone dump their old ones in here.”
She snapped her fingers, and her bodyguard brought out a black bag.
“Put any number you absolutely need in the new one. I’ve already programmed our new numbers into them.”
A sinking feeling grew in Adria’s gut.
“That doesn’t make sense. How would they have time to get a sanctioned hit out?” Kaydon said.
Elena shrugged.
Normally it took a majority vote to gain a sanctioned hit. Under extreme circumstances, the Triune could step in and, with a three strong vote, they could side step the tribunal. Adria did the mental math in the event the Nine had gone the former route. That meant they needed a five-to-three vote. It left room for her to trust Helen, and maybe even Finley.
Bryson said, “Someone must have already been working on one when they found Jonathan.”
“Who?” Seth asked.
Bryson didn’t answer.
“Where is our flight plan registered to?” Adria asked.
“Chile,” Elena said.
Adria’s gears were turning. They needed a cooler trail before they went to X’s house. She couldn’t risk blowing his cover.
Bringing out her phone, she sent a text.
Adria: Is there someone we know that we trust near an airport?
X: A few, and only one is going to let you land there.
X: But you aren’t going to like it.
Adria: Just tell me.
X: Vega.
Adria’s mouth dropped open.
“What is it?” Elena and Bryson asked at the same time.
“What do we need in order to land in Polanco?” Adria asked.
Elena shook her head. “That’s a major airport. We can’t just pay off customs there. We could ask your contact.”
Adria’s jaw clenched. Maxim. Her mind raced through the short list of people who knew about their landing spot. The bounty. The timing. Her stomach twisted as the pieces clicked into place.
