The elevator doors opened. He and Carrera waited for the others to step inside, then followed. On the top floor, everyone exited. Behind reception a large sign hung on the wall.
Develin And Associates
While the man and other woman spoke with the receptionist, the woman who’d checked him out, marched over. “You look familiar. Have we met?”
“No,” Luciano replied.
She stared at up him for several seconds, then said, “Well, we’re meeting now. I’m Sheila.”
“Luciano.” His smile made her cheeks flush.
“Mr. Santini and Mr. Santini,” said the receptionist, “Mr. Develin will see you now. Go on back.”
“Can I get your number?” Sheila asked. “Maybe we can have coffee sometime.”
Luciano whispered in her ear. “Not a good idea. I’m a very bad man.” He winked before he and Carrera headed through the expansive office.
As they passed the bullpen, several employees popped up from their cubicles like prairie dogs. They stopped in front of Sin’s closed office door and knocked.
The door opened and Evangeline Develin smiled at them. “Good to see you guys.” She hugged Carrera, then Luciano. “Luciano, why do you always look like you just got back from vacation on the Amalfi Coast?”
Luciano flashed a smile. “Ciao, bella. That color looks great on you.”
She was wearing a burgundy pantsuit from his WorkSmart collection and had paired it with a black camisole.
Sin appeared in the doorway. “Boys.”
“How was Miami?” Luciano asked.
“Fun,” Evangeline replied.
“We had a good weekend,” Sin said before addressing his wife. “Are you joining us?”
“Not for this meeting,” she replied.
Sin stepped aside so the men could enter. After shutting the door, he pulled a bottle of Santini whiskey from his credenza.
“It’s five o’clock somewhere,” Carrera said.
Luciano and Carrera sat on the sofa while Sin poured a finger’s worth in three lowball glasses, then eased into an upholstered chair. After tapping their glasses together, they tossed back the top-shelf liquor.
“Thanks for meeting in person.” Luciano set down the glass.
“What’s going on?” Sin asked.
“Gabriel and I flew to London and met with three men from Haqazzii’s terror cell. They were on their way here.”
“How’d that go?” Sin asked.
“As expected,” Luciano replied.
“Learn anything?” Carrera asked.
Luciano pulled the folded map from his breast pocket, opened it, and set it on the coffee table. “They worked for The Bomb Maker. These buildings could be his next targets?—”
“The White House, the Capitol, FBI, Justice, State, Supreme Court, the Pentagon, and the CIA.” A growl shot from Carrera. “This is bad.”
“Jesus,” Sin bit out.
