Maybe they already have the security system installed, and my father just happens to let them know he can help them with sensitivematters in the future. Or he installs the system at the client’s request with the express purpose of enabling them to gain unrestricted access later. Then he waits.
When the client decides it’s time—to break in to steal expensive jewelry their ex kept in the divorce, vandalize the inside of the home, kidnap their own children during a vicious custody battle, threaten and assault someone who owes them money—they just contact my dad on one of the burner phones. Then they tell him when, and he makes it happen.
It makes sense, in the most terrible of ways. What better way to ensure that you get away with a crime than getting the person who installed the security system to help? And for my father, it must have seemed the perfect way to make money. He gets paid double: first for the install, and then to cover his client’s tracks.
How could he? And he wantedmeto join him. To be a part of this terrible conspiracy.
“I think you should look at this one,” Houdini says. He plucks the top sheet from the stack I haven’t looked at yet.
From his grim tone, I know it’s not going to be good.
Ten seconds later, I set it back down.
Fuck.
Fuck.
It was the agreement to take Sofia out.
“Fuck,” I grit out. I punch the cabinet, welcoming the sting of pain in my hand. “Fuck. I knew it. But…fuck.”
Houdini puts his hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry, Rogue. So damn sorry.”
I turn to look at him. “How could he? I just… It’s all horrible. But Sofia. Shit. He tried to take her out because she made some calls? Because he thought—” I hit the cabinet again. “Fuck.”
“We have enough to turn him, at least,” he replies. “Don’t you think?”
“Yeah.” Taking a deep breath, I work to contain my anger. “We have enough. I think you’re good to get out of here.”
“Are you sure?” He eyes me with concern. “I don’t mind staying. What’s he going to do, call the cops on me for breaking and entering?”
“I need to face him myself,” I reply. “If you guys could just head into town to wait, I’ll call you when I’m ready to head home.”
Home. Ever since Sofia came, it’s felt more like a home instead of just a generic place to sleep and eat. But soon, it’ll be just a sad reminder of what I couldhave had, if not for my father.
“Okay,” Houdini says. “But if you change your mind?—”
“I know.” Standing, I grab his hand and pull him up with me. “If I change my mind, I’ll let you know.”
But I won’t change my mind. This is something I have to do myself.
Once Houdini leaves, I get the number for the police department readied on my phone. Then I settle back in my father’s office chair to wait.
Thirty minutes later, the faint sound of the front door closing reaches me. Then the buzz of two voices that I immediately recognize as my parents. Grabbing my phone, I first call the number for the police department and give them a brief overview of the situation—I’d come to check on my parents and noticed my father’s typically locked office open, along with his safe. When I went in to investigate, I found proof of terrible crimes he’d committed. And as horrible as I felt, I knew the right thing was to call the police.
They promise to be here in under ten minutes.
Then I call my father. From the front of the house, his phone trills. When he answers, I tell him to come into the office. Immediately.
When he reaches the office doorway and takes in the open safe, his face pales. “What are you doing?” he barks. “Did you break into my safe? Why would you do that? Is this some kind of joke? What’s going on here, Nico?”
I stand, noting with grim satisfaction that I have several inches and at least twenty-five pounds of muscle on him. Not that I think he’d attack me, but still. It lessens the idea of it.
“I came to find the truth,” I tell him. “All of it.”
He scowls. “Is this about that womanagain?”
Anger roughens my voice. “Sofia. Her name is Sofia. And she’s a part of it, yes.”
