Page 204

“He notices people.”

My fingers stop. “What?”

“Mercer survives because he pays attention. He's patient. Doesn't make unnecessary moves. If he thinks someone's watching him, he doesn't confront them immediately.”

“He watches back.”

“Exactly.”

My eyes close. For some reason, all I can see is a blonde woman in a brown wig pretending to inspect a cantaloupe.

Fuck.

“McConnell.”

“Yeah.”

“This needs to stay clean.”

“It will.”

“No witnesses.”

I think about Callie’s last text.

See you next Tuesday.

“Roman.”

“I heard you.”

“Then why am I getting the feeling there's something you're not telling me?”

“There isn't.”

“Is this about the blonde?”

My jaw clenches. “No.”

Bishop is silent.

“She's not involved.”

“I didn't say she was.”

“She isn't.”

Another pause. “Keep it that way.”

My eyes narrow. “You knew I was staying in Hollow Creek when you gave me this.”

“I keep tabs on my people.”

“That's not what I meant.”

“I know.”

“Send somebody else.”