Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
I’m here because I want answers that only Murphy can give me, and since he’s dead, that means convincing him to talk to me from the other side. He was too smart to leave anything important where it could be easily found, which means I’m not going to find answers here or at his homes in LA or Washington. From what I understand, he has all of the above.
But I have to go through the motions. That’s how good investigative work gets done.
No one will search those places like me, but until I can get to both, I need to get people I trust to his homes, and now. That’s when a realization slithers through me, and it’s a snake with a lethal bite. I already know why Murphy’s dead. Obviously to anyone, he crossed the wrong person, but the odds that it relates to the Society are almost one hundred percent. This was a professional hit. What if it’s not the only one?
What if the Society—Pocher, in particular—decided to get rid of anyone that’s a threat to his power? In this scenario, Murphy wasn’t their friend, he was ours. Is that possible? Maybe. Which leads me to anyone else who represents a threat to the Society. Kane and me. I think of the chopper attack on Kane gone wrong and eye the bullet hole between Murphy’s eyes. A professional wouldn’t screw up. I grab my phone from my pocket. I don’t care if Kane’s handling cartel business, I need to talk to him now.
Chapter Three
I’m about to dial Kane when I realize Larry is still standing a few feet away, staring at me. Can he not just go away? “What’s the ETA on the medical examiner?”
“Should be here any minute.”
“Who?”
“Some new guy. Alexander Kingsbury.”
“He sounds like trouble by design.” I do a mental run-through of the different MEs I’ve worked with. My latest case was bloody, and Nguyen ran from the worst of it, which means he’s out. The ME I worked with on the Umbrella Man case comes to mind. Danica Day, DD, as I nicknamed her, is a model turned ME that I thought would suck. She did all right though, and she’s eager to get out from under the stripper name. That will make her brave. I’m going to need brave on this one. “I want Danica Day and no one else. Make it happen, and don’t let me find out Kingsbury got anywhere near Murphy, or you’ll be the next body.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“At least you’re not slow on the uptake.”
He bristles. “That’s uncalled for.”
He’s such a chick. “I bet you won’t let Kingsbury get near the body.” I motion to Murphy. “He gets one shot to tell us who did this. Don’t fuck it up for him. In fact,”—I motion behind him—“I want everyone out until after DD does her thing.” I anticipate him being slow and add, “Yes that’s Danica”—before I start over—“After Danica does her thing, I’ll let everyone else back in. “
“That’s highly out of the ordinary.”
“I’m a special girl, Larry. Haven’t you figured that out by now?” I don’t wait for an answer. “Like I said, after DD is done, forensics can do their thing. They won’t find anything, but they can try.”
“That’s insulting to the team.”
“This was a professional hit, Larry. Professionals get paid the big bucks for a reason. They don’t get caught. I need some time alone with my ex-boss.” I raise my voice, “Everyone out! Now.”
It takes a full five minutes, but the room is clear of everyone but me and the dead body, and perhaps a recording device. I dial Kit, who stayed downstairs with Jay. He answers on the first ring. “What the hell is happening?” he asks. “Everyone is antsy and won’t say a damn word.”
“Just come up.”
“I tried. They’re not letting me.”
“Tell them I said—”
“I tried, Lilah.”
“Damn it. I’ll handle it.” I disconnect and text him: Murphy’s dead, execution style. A professional hit. Read between the lines. Warn Kane, and I’ll send someone down to get you and Jay.
Fuck. Yes, got it.
I walk to the door and open it. The tall, thin guy with the Homeland Security jacket is waiting on me. “Agent,” he greets.
“I need my men up here. And I’ve requested Danica Day as the ME. I don’t want anyone but her and my men in the apartment until she’s done her job.”
“Understood,” he says. “If we trusted any of the locals, you wouldn’t be here. Director Ellis will be pleased to know you’ve taken over.”
“Yeah, well, tell your director to go fuck himself, because this clandestine way of bringing me here and communicating through you feels off. Like a game. Usually, serial killers are the ones who play games with me. They end up dead.” The color drains from his face.