Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
That was too easy, he says, but I’ll take it. I’ll be home late.
I slip my phone back in my pocket as Augustin pulls up to the front door.
“Everything okay?” Jay asks, speaking for the first time since we got in the backseat which is highly unusual for him.
“I could ask you the same. Why are you so quiet?”
Augustin exits the driver’s seat, and steps outside. “Is he my replacement?”
“No. I only have one assistant and that’s you.”
“I am not—”
“Yes, you are, but you better keep working on your fighting skills. Working for me is dangerous, especially if you keep eating all my Cheetos. Every time I go looking for them they’re gone, and I know you ate them.”
I motion him out of the vehicle.
He grunts and opens the door, sliding out. “I’m going to order us pizza. You’re nicer after pizza.”
I don’t argue. I like that he thinks that. It means he’s always feeding me. We walk toward the building door and Duke starts shouting for me. “Lilah!”
At least he got the name right. I rotate to find him rushing behind the service stand, lifting a bouquet of marigolds and already alarm bells ring in my head. Augustin steps by my side. “They’re symbolic of the Day of the Dead in Mexico. Could be from his father.”
“Oh shit,” Jay grunts.
“I’ll get the card,” Augustin says, already moving forward, and I watch him chat with Duke, accept the card, and then palm cash to Duke.
“Order that pizza,” I say to Jay.
“I gambled and did it online in the car.”
Augustin returns and offers me the card. “He said they were delivered across the street to the wrong address. Unfortunately, he was busy and didn’t ask details. I can pull the security footage and see what I come up with.”
All of this is well planned. I already know how the person’s face will be covered, or it will be someone paid in cash to deliver the flowers, with no idea who paid them. I pocket the card. “Upstairs in case someone is watching. They likely are watching.”
We hurry inside and waste no time boarding the elevator. None of us speak. Once we’re upstairs, I key in my code, and eye Augustin. “Has Kane given you access?”
“Not yet. He said that was your call.”
“I’ll set you up after we eat. Jay ordered pizza.”
“Thank fuck. I’m starving.”
“Was I supposed to get you some?” Jay asks, looking all innocent, but when I scowl he laughs. “I did. Now that you told me he’s not replacing me, I’m even okay with having him around. This life is alligator infested.”
I open the door and a few minutes later, we’ve shed our jackets and we’re at the kitchen island when I open the note from the flower delivery. Inside is no fluffy silly Junior note. The message reads: Death bleeds until you give it a name. No more puzzles.
Another Roger saying. It means the victim doesn’t find justice until we find the killer.
The note continues with: No more hiding. It’s time we meet. Tonight. Long Island. Ten PM.
“Well?” Jay presses. “Is it from Roberto?”
The flowers hold a connection to Mexico, to Roberto, but no. It’s not Roberto. It seems my entire concept of there being no coincidences has been shattered. And the interesting thing is, it was Roger who beat that concept into my head. Jay’s cellphone rings and he glances at caller ID. “That will be the pizza. I’ll go get it.”
I push to my feet and I’m walking toward the living room, dialing Kane as I do. He answers on the first ring. “What’s happening?”
“Junior left another note. He wants me to meet tonight in Long Island.”
“Fuck. I have to go to Houston to deal with a well issue. I’ll see if I can send someone else.”
“No. Kane, I’m capable of handling this myself. You know that. I do not think this is a big deal. It’s probably Lucas being stupid.”
“Lucas?”
“Yeah. That’s what’s in my mind. But I have Jay and Augustin with me. I’ll take them.”
“This feels off, Lilah. Why would Lucas pull a prank like this?”
“You always say he’s a problem. He might be about to prove you right.” Someone says something to Kane and he says something back before. “I hate this, but I have a big fucking problem. Someone blew up some of my wells.”
“Your father?”
“Maybe. And I don’t like the idea that he’s trying to get me out of town, but it may not be him at all. I have a pretty nasty competitor I’m dealing with, too, and honestly, I doubt my father is coherent enough at this point to pull this off.”
“Go handle it. I got this. I’ll let you know.”
“Be safe, bella. You hear me? Kill. Don’t be killed.”
“Always.” He disconnects.
I stand there a minute and let the silence consume me, waiting for what follows.