“Do you recognize someone called the Major?” Siren asked.
Garrett nodded slowly. “That’s what people call whoever’s at the top of this organization. He’s got a military background, obviously. But that’s all anyone knows. He’s a ghost.”
“And Meridian?”
“That’s new to me.” He shook his head. “I’ve never heard that name before. But a PMC like the one I’m thinking of needs a financial pipeline. A way to move money without leaving fingerprints. Meridian could be the name of their funding mechanism.”
He looked at Reed and then back at Siren.
“You recorded a murder committed by people who don’t leave witnesses. You’re both loose ends now. And I can tell that you’re mates.”
Siren glared at him.
“An old mountain lion shifter like me has been around long enough to know the signs when he sees them. You’re connected. You understand what that means to these people, right?”
“I do,” Siren said.
“Do you?” His eyes were hard. “These people have been invisible for a decade. That takes discipline. Resources. Connections. Whoever the Major is, he’s not some weekend warrior playing mercenary. He’s the real thing. And mark my words, they know you exist, and they are looking for you.”
“That’s why we need to find them first,” Siren said, her voice hard.
Garrett almost smiled. It wasn’t a pleasant expression.
“You want to track them? Follow the money. That’s the only way. They get paid. The money moves. And the money always leaves a trail, no matter how careful you are.”
“You’re not giving me anything to work with,” Siren said, the disgust seeping into her voice.
“If Meridian is the financial pipeline, I know someone who might know for sure.” He hesitated, sizing her up. “Diana Reyes. Forensic accountant. She’s been tracking dirty money flows for years since losing someone important to her. If this outfit gets paid through any channels that touch the legitimate financial system, she can find the thread.”
“Where do I find her?”
“Omaha. She runs Reyes Forensic Consulting. Tell her the river still runs. She’ll know what it means.” His eyes hardened. “And don’t bring heat down on her. She’s been doing this work alone for a long time. If you get her killed, I’ll find you.”
Garrett stood. The conversation was over. He looked at Reed for a moment and then at Siren.
“Good luck,” he said. “You’ll need it.”
Chapter
Fifteen
Siren was driving the van,dressed in her Sarah Phillips costume. It had been an hour and both of them had been silent since leaving.
“Back in the forest when Garrett came out with his rifle, your bear almost came out,” she said matter-of-factly.
Reed stared at the road ahead. He’d hoped she hadn’t noticed.
“I know. I barely held it in.”
She kept her eyes forward, hand steady on the wheel. “That can’t happen again. It could get us both killed.”
“I know,” he said.
“We’re going to train your nervous system to handle stress better.”
“When?”
“I’m going to find us a place to camp where we can work on it this afternoon before heading to Nebraska.”
