Page 48 of Locked Out

Dante continued, “You didn’t have to do that, but I appreciate it. I owe you.”

Cash nodded and kept going. He might have to take Dante up on it depending on how fast Archer wanted him dead. He walked into the conference room and found Archer standing at the head of the table. “Do you want me to bring Li down here?” he inquired.

“I want you to not stick your nose in where it doesn’t belong.” Archer glared at him.

Cash let out a breath. Okay, they were going to do this now.

“Archer, I’ve followed you down any path you’ve directed. I’ve done what you asked without question. I’ve even enjoyed most of it, but Dante did not deserve what you had in mind. He did an act of kindness for an old man and his dog. That’s not something to kill over. You used to know that.” Cash folded his arms across his chest. “I don’t know what’s going on with you, but you’ve changed recently. We’ve all noticed it. Ever since the whole Remington Tanger mess, you’ve done things differently and it’s not good.”

There he’d said it. Let the chips fall where they may. Riss, I’m so sorry. If Archer killed him there’d be no one left to help her.

Archer continued to stare at him but suddenly he seemed to deflate, like all the anger was gone. Cash frowned. He didn’t know how he knew… Archer’s face hadn’t changed but for now, the danger had passed.

“Go get Li,” was all he said.

Cash did as he was told. He wasn’t looking a gift horse in the mouth.

Ten minutes later he was back with Li in tow. The man still had a cup of coffee in his hand.

“What is the meaning of this? Why am I being disturbed at breakfast?” Li commandeered the seat at the head of the table as if he were in charge. “This is unacceptable.”

“Mr. Li,” Archer started. “I am sorry to disturb you at breakfast but one of our members was killed last night.”

Li blinked. “Well, I fail to see what that has to do with me.”

“Your secretary, Mr. Huang, killed Vanessa LeGris in the alley beside the garden.” Li opened his mouth but Archer held up his hand, forestalling any protest, and continued, “I can only assume you had Vanessa attempt to use her feminine wiles to get into Davenport’s room, to search for some important paperwork to give you an advantage in the meeting. That type of thing is not tolerated, a fact you also knew. Just as we know Vanessa got caught and had become a liability.”

Li crossed his arms over his chest. “I will not dignify any of that with a response.”

“Not necessary, anyway.” Archer continued, “Again, I can only assume that you have told Mr. Huang not only about the Society but some of the rules as well because he made sure to kill her off the premises and then bring her body back inside and place her on a bench in the garden. No doubt a little poke at me. Now, since Mr. Huang doesn’t know me, again I can only assume that was your doing. A little dig to get back at me for not admitting your secretary. Consider me poked, Mr. Li. You should also know I don’t like to be poked and I do not take kindly to those who disobey the Society’s rules. They are there for a reason.

“You hired Vanessa to steal something from Mr. Davenport. That is all well and good outside of these walls, but you’ve brought that inside and that is not acceptable in any form. You and Mr. Davenport will conclude your business today and then you will both leave. I won’t expect you back in any of the Society locations for quite some time after this, Mr. Li. Because if I do see you before all of this has faded from my memory, then you may find yourself not living long enough to regret it. Am I being clear enough, Mr. Li?”

Li set his mug down on the table with a clink as he stood up. “You cannot threaten me. I have done nothing?—”

“I am going to stop you right there. You have told your secretary, and likely your security team about the Society. That alone is punishable by death. You know the rules.”

“Yes, but we all have our security teams and close personnel informed. That’s the norm.”

Archer, who had been casually leaning his butt on the credenza in the corner of the room, straightened. “That may be the norm, but it is against the rules and I get to choose when to overlook things and when to enforce them. Also, you smuggled a weapon into the building. A small blade disguised as a USB stick. That is a very large infraction. The punishment for breaking both of these rules is death. Keep pushing and I will enforce the mandated resolution, Mr. Li… With great pleasure.”

Li paled. He’d just been handed his ass and he knew it. He'd been a member long enough to know Archer was correct and he’d broken two very serious rules. “Fine,” he mumbled. Then he cleared his throat. “I would be happy to meet with Mr. Davenport today and settle our business. Please let me know when the meeting is set.” He grabbed his coffee cup and left the room.

Archer started out of the room and then turned back. “I’ll deal with Davenport. You take care of the rest of the guests. And Cash? If you ever get between me and another employee again, I will kill you.”

Cash watched him go. He’d used up all his credit with Archer and probably more. Time to pull the escape hatch. But what in the hell was he going to do about Riss?

CHAPTER TWENTY

Riss sipped her coffee. If she continued to drink the strong brew at this rate she wouldn’t sleep for a week. Maybe that wasn’t a bad thing. She doubted she’d be able to close her eyes tonight anyway. She played with her pendant as she stared into her mug.

“How are you this fine morning, Riss?” Peter asked as he strolled into the dining room.

She wasn’t entirely sure how to answer that. She’d come close to death once again; a fate Vanessa hadn’t avoided. She was numb. “I’m hangin’ in.” It seemed like the safest answer. “How are you, Peter?”

“Doing well.” He grabbed a plate from the pile and set about filling it from the buffet that was on the sideboard. “Slept like the dead last night. Took a sleeping pill and had a glass of port. Best thing when traveling.” He glanced at her. “I say, you look a little peaked. Didn’t sleep well? You really should try it. I can give you a few pills if you’d like. Cures the whole jet lag thing just like that.” He shifted his plate to his other hand and then snapped his fingers.

“Um, I’m good, but thanks.”

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