Chapter 4
I pretended not to notice.
That is one of the hardest things a powerful man learns.
Not how to react.
How not to.
Gabriel placed the pouches down.
“Could have been there for weeks.”
“Could have.”
He nodded.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Nothing.”
For the first time all afternoon, he looked surprised.
“Nothing?”
“Keep everyone inside.”
I turned to my guards.
“Veronica and Preston go to separate rooms.”
Veronica smiled coldly.
“You don't trust me?”
I looked at Sofia.
“No.”
That was the end of that conversation.
Audrey tried to stand.
“You should rest.”
“So should Sofia.”
My daughter shook her head immediately.
“No.”
I looked at Audrey.
“She stays with you.”
Audrey blinked.
“Boss—”
“She trusts you.”
That was enough.
I watched them leave with two guards.
Then I closed the study door.
Only Gabriel and I remained.
He walked toward the whiskey.
I didn't stop him.
“You think someone inside helped them.”
“I know someone did.”
He poured two glasses.
I didn't take mine.
“Voss?”
“No.”
Gabriel turned.
“You're sure?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Because Voss wouldn't copy his own mark incorrectly.”
Gabriel looked down at the whiskey.
Very briefly.
Then back at me.
“He might if he wanted you to think it was fake.”
Good answer.
Too good.
I smiled.
“Maybe.”
His shoulders relaxed slightly.
That told me more than it should have.
I walked toward the window.
“Send twelve men to the east warehouse.”
“Now?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because that's where I would strike Voss first.”
Gabriel nodded.
“How many more?”
“Thirty to the river clubs.”
He stared.
“That leaves the west side of the estate thin.”
Exactly.
“I'm aware.”
He nodded again.
Then left.
I waited twenty seconds.
Walked to the security room.
And told my second captain to send nobody anywhere.
Not one man.
Not one car.
Not one gun.
Then we watched Gabriel.
He walked down the north hall.
Entered an empty music room.
Removed a phone I had never seen before.
And made one call.
Thirty-seven seconds.
When he came out, my captain looked at me.
“You want him?”
“No.”
He frowned.
“Boss?”
“I want whoever answers him.”
The false deployment had been bait.
Gabriel swallowed it.
Now I needed the line.
Five minutes later, one of my men entered.
“Call went to a burner.”
“Location?”
“Moving.”
“Where?”
“South road.”
I looked at the estate map.
South road led toward the old quarry.
And one private airfield.
I turned.
“Keep following.”
My phone vibrated.
Not Gabriel's.
Mine.
Unknown number.
One message.
YOU'RE MAKING A MISTAKE.
Then another.
VOSS DID NOT TOUCH THE GIRL.
I stared at it.
A third message arrived.
ASK YOUR BRIDE WHY SHE NEEDED YOU ANGRY.
No signature.
I typed one response.
WHO ARE YOU?
The answer came immediately.
May you like
THE MAN YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO KILL.
Adrian Voss.
