Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87618 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
“You’re welcome,” he says from the shadows across the hall. “You’re my wife now, Riley. Like it or not, we’re in this together.”
“You and me, a regular old team.”
“Something like that.”
I glance back at my husband. I’m struck by how beautiful he is. Big and dark with an athletic body.
And that voice—and that smell—
I force myself to shut the door before I do something stupid again.
Chapter 11
Alexan
The hotel bar at the base of the Monaco has an ugly nautical theme, probably because it’s ten feet from the inner harbor. The place is crowded on a Friday night, and I pause on the threshold and scan the faces for anyone I recognize.
Nobody stands out. That’s the problem with the Mantis. I only knew a few of their key members, and most of them would never bother stepping foot in Baltimore. Their low-tier thugs are totally unknown to me.
But that doesn’t mean I can’t spot them, like the guy standing alone near the windows and looking too casual as he stares at his phone. The bulge under his jacket suggests he’s not here for the sugary drinks. There are another couple of mooks elbowed up at the end of the bar, both of them studiously watching the Orioles get their asses kicked by the Phillies on TV, neither of them dressed like they belong.
Then there’s Iron Head himself. He’s got a booth to himself. A martini sits half-finished at his elbow as he types something into his phone. I want to hang around a little longer until I can make out the rest of his crew, since there’s no way he’s only got three men watching his back, but I don’t have time.
Jeremy Fong, also known to me as Iron Head, smiles up at me as I slip into the seat across from him. “It’s good to see you again, Permafrost.”
“You as well.” I lean back, arms crossed over my chest. There’s a strange flutter in my gut as Iron Head finishes on his phone.
I don’t get nervous for deals like this. I rely on skill and rational thinking, not emotions or guesswork, and that means I don’t have anything to be worried about. When I take a job, it gets done, and that’s why people keep hiring me. No surprises, no bullshit.
Except it isn’t me I’m thinking about right now.
If I were the only one involved in this mess, I could find a way to deal with it, but my wife’s wrapped up at the center, and I still haven’t thought of how I’ll untangle her.
“Sorry for that.” He puts his phone down and folds his hands together. Iron Head’s dressed in a simple black suit with a dark red tie the color of blood, like his throat was slashed open. His smile is somewhat charming.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was just some average business consultant.
“I don’t have a whole lot to offer at the moment.”
“I’ll be honest and admit that I’m surprised. When I hired you, I was told that I was hiring the best.”
“You were, and forgive the cliché, but this is a needle in a haystack situation.”
“That’s supposed to be what you do. You conjure lost needles.”
“And I will, but I need more time and more information.” Mostly because I need to know if Iron Head and Mantis have Riley on their suspect list. Otherwise, I’ll be able to steer them in a different direction.
“You have everything we have.” He tilts his head to the side as if considering. Around us, men and women in business outfits laugh and talk over expensive drinks. The American workforce slowly unwinding. I wonder how many mistakes will be made tonight.
“Then I’ll need time.” I proceed to tell him what I’ve done so far, the patterns I’ve searched, the dead ends I’ve followed. He listens intently as I lay out several potential places the watch could be, carefully mentioning Riley’s father toward the middle while making it clear that he’s not really on my radar.
Iron Head listens patiently. When I’m done, his lips press together for a moment in thought. “I’ll tell you what,” he says, spreading his hands. “I am going to convince my superiors to give you another four weeks. Consider it a wedding present.” He smiles broadly, and a shiver runs down my spine.
“I appreciate that,” I say, suppressing the ugly feeling running down into my toes. He’s only being polite. There’s no way he knows my wife is deeply involved. “The wedding was only just last night. I guess word spreads fast.”
“An alliance between the McGraths and the Brotherhood certainly has some people talking.” He takes a sip of his drink. It looks like that’s the first time he’s touched it. “Shouldn’t you be on your honeymoon right now?”
“No rest for the wicked.”
He laughs and tugs at his shirt sleeves. “Yes, I’m aware of that. The work never ends. You know, I met your new bride.” His eyes sparkle with amusement. “She was quite charming.”