Page 86 of Whistleblower

“Someone curious about your information,” I respond flatly, narrowing my eyes. “Now talk, before I lose interest.”

* * *

PALADIN’s compound is quiet today. I checked Vesper’s office but it was empty. Odd. She told me to meet her here after I messaged her that business at the dock was handled and I was on my way home.

Just for good measure, I peek into Eden’s office. The door is open like it usually is, but it’s empty. It’s been four days since I’ve seen her, and I have to wait one more. Today is her birthday, and she gave me strict instructions to leave her alone.

I resolve to head home, take a shower, get some rest, and deal with Vesper later until I hear a ruckus coming from the medical wing. I rush down the hallway and barrel through the door of the exam room.

Vesper’s standing in the corner, her arms folded with a scowl on her face. Cricket sits on the exam table, one leg bent and tucked into her chest as the doctor fusses over her bleeding arm. She’s sporting quite the shiner but she flashes me a big smile.

“Well, hey sunshine,” she says.

“Damn Cricket,” I tease. “Losing your touch?”

She barely flinches as the doctor douses her open wound with some type of antiseptic.

Scoffing, she flips me off.

“Will you stay still?” The doctor scolds Cricket. I give her a once over, somewhat curious about the woman that Eden was jealous of. Not even a comparison, Precious.

“What happened?” I’m not concerned… It’s Cricket. She might be tougher than I am.

“I rushed a job. I did not see the arsehole with the machete behind me. It’s just a scratch,” she says, shrugging off the deep gash in her arm. “Mom made me go to the nurse’s office.” She shoots a dirty look Vesper’s way.

“How’s the other guy look?” I ask.

Cricket beams, her smile spreading ear to ear. “He looks like a corpse.”

“Atta girl.”

“Hey, where’s Eden by the way? She didn’t show up for work today. We all figured you were out somewhere screwing.”

I texted Eden when I got back into town, but the message remains undelivered. She warned me she turns her phone off on her birthday which is the only reason I didn’t immediately go banging on her door, demanding proof of life.

“It’s her birthday, today. She likes to spend it by herself. I’ll see her tomorrow.”

“What?” Cricket asks, screwing up her face and jutting her palm to the ceiling. “No, Linc. No woman wants to spend her birthday alone. Are you stupid?”

“Stay still,” the doctor scolds Cricket again who grumbles in irritation.

I nod to the door, silently requesting a word with Vesper. She follows me into the hallway and I pull a key out of my pocket before dropping it in her palm.

“Tell port authority there’s a clean-up in container 41B-2A.”

Vesper looks worn. Her normally bright red lips look faded and her low ponytail is loose—the exhausting aftermath of babysitting her wild child for the evening. “How many dead bodies?”

“Depends.”

“What?” She furrows her brows in confusion.

“Three and a prisoner if they go tonight. If they wait a few days…four.”

“You let one go?” Vesper’s eyes grow wide with anger. “You had direct instructions to clear the scene, Linc.”

Rubbing my jawline, I feel the stubble softening. It’s been two days too many since I’ve shaved. “He had information about more shipments.”

Vesper shakes her head, crossing her arms again. “What information? The FBI has been hunting the source for years. It took a tremendous amount of luck to intercept that shipment.”

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