Soph’s end of the line connects, the crunch of whatever hercurrent snack is, playing through the line. “Well… that was something, I guess.”
I drop my head back,thunkingit against the seat and staring up at the ceiling. “I forgot you can hear everything. Did you listen to?—”
“I caught the bits about Abate not being there. I stayed for a minute or two of you and Archer snapping at each other.”
I sigh.
“I got to Jamaica and turned off comms. Shut down the Checkmate systems so no one else on my team could tune in, either.”
“Soph—”
“Figured, no matter how angry the detective gets, he was there, which means you had your own personal security guard by that point. Do you wanna talk ab?—”
“About Abate.” I drape my free hand over my eyes. My head aches, and my eyes burn. I’ve cried too much this week, and consumed not nearly enough water. “What the hell happened? Was it Archer?”
“I mean… I don’t know. I don’t think so. I don’t have Archer entering Abate’s building, talking to his people, or in any way influencing Abate’s whereabouts. I’ve checked phone records. Emails. There are no Dear John letters in the mail or smoke signals in the sky. It’s like Archer went to Jennings on hopes and dreams and the universe just…” She shrugs. It’s noisy and visible on the backs of my eyelids. “Complied. I still have Abate at his office, so I guess his meeting ran over.”
“And the server at the restaurant who said Abate was already waiting for me in the dining room?”
She makes a noise in the back of her throat. “Someonewaswaiting for you in the dining room. It’s possible Archer paid him to say it was Abate. Or the serverthoughtit was Abate, since I doubt the kid cross-referenced IDs to ensure the diners he was expecting to arrive were, in fact, the people who arrived.”
“Is it possible Abate figured us out?” I tilt my head to the side and open my eyes, staring out at the world as it passes us by. “Maybe he got spooked and ran.”
“Anything’s possible, I suppose. But men aware of a target on their back don’t typically sit at the office and continue working for hours after. They empty their bank accounts and ransack their homes for whatever shit they want while they’re on the road.”
“And you just…” I lick my lips, each swell still tender from Archer’s bruising touch. My stomach flutters, nervous because of the words we spoke, and my core tingles, because we came back together again… for a few minutes. We met in Jamaica once more, the place where we spoke our promises in the past. “You think it was pure coincidence Poul didn’t turn up tonight? No text. No email. No communication whatsoever?”
“We got an email.” She taps on her keyboard in what is otherwise a completely silent space. “About seven-fifteen, we received word from his office that he was stuck in his meeting and, though he’s incredibly apologetic, he didn’t see a way to escape his current predicament in time for yours. He’s sorry. He hopes to call you tomorrow to discuss alternate plans, and if you should feel he no longer deserves your business, he’s happy to recommend others in the profession.”
“We don’t want others,” I sigh. “We wantedhim.”
“It is what it is. There are twelve fish in this pond, and wethrew a line in, hoping for Abate. We got a nibble, but he didn’t grab on this time. I’ll keep working at it and secure a new meet. In the meantime, we carry on as we have been. MihalisSalonen might be our next best hit. School teacher,” she growls. “Middle school, which means his days are filled with the exact types he wishes to buy and exploit. School’s currently out for the summer, which makes things a little more difficult for me, but he enjoys a run around the bay most mornings. Do you own a pair of sneakers, Chief? It might be a good time to lace up and strike a name off our list.”
“Send me the details.” I press my hand to my belly as the car winds around tight bends and brings us toward the houses overlooking the city. “I’ll take care of it just as soon as you give me the go.”
“Good.” She settles back in a creaky chair, a soft hum playing in the base of her throat. “Is there a reason you’re headingup,Chief? You and Archer?—”
“I need to swing by the house. Just for a minute.” I swipe beneath my nose and watch as Burke turns off the main road and pulls us onto Malone property. I don’t recall so many men watching over us prior to Aubree’s wedding, but as an unidentified vehicle makes its way along the driveway, soldiers bristle, and hands twitch.
At least here, unlike in New York, weapons stay hidden in holsters.
“Send me that dude’s information when you have it. Otherwise, I’m putting my phone away for the night. I’m done discussing literally everything for now.”
“Deal. My girls are in the bath. Jammies come next, then a bedtime story. Poul’s schedule mismanagement is my blessing.”
“Enjoy the time with your family.” I straighten my spine as we come to a stop just feet from the small wrought-iron gates shielding the house’s front entrance. “Kiss your babies goodnight. Maybe even say something nice to Jay.” I cough out a pathetic laugh. “If I know you as well as I know me, then that man is probably starved of affection. They like it when we say nice things for the sake of nice things, and not only when we’re having sex.”
Burke clears his throat and climbs out of the car.
Sophia laughs. “I’ll be sure to say something nice, might even tell him it’s from you. He’ll like that.”
Bravely, Burke walks amongst men who glare at the side of his face and prepare to do whatever it is Malone soldiers do to unwelcome guests. Coming around the car, he opens my door and offers a hand. “Ma’am.”
“Thank you.” Ending our call and locking my phone, I allow him to help me out, then I meet the eyes of men I don’t recall ever seeing before in my life. But they seem to recognize me, because their twitching softens and their glares turn to neutrality. “If you wouldn’t mind sticking around for just a little longer, I promise to be fast.”
He releases my hand and dips his chin. “No rush. I’m happy to wait.”
I offer him a small smile and tuck my hair behind my ear, then I stop and face the horde of guards. “Is there a reason this house is being overrun by men wearing black?”
