Page 37 of Locked Down

"Single. No kids."

Ryker got up and poured himself a cup of coffee. Not that Langille's lack of family would've made any difference. There were people somewhere mourning the man, but at least he hadn't left a partner and children behind. Ryker sat back down."What's the weird part?"

"You know those men you saw on the video and in the office? The ones who work for Damian Jacobs? Well, so did this guy."

Ryker was about totake a sip ofcoffee but stopped and set the mug down."Wait, what?"

"Langille worked for Jacobs."Rush shook his head."Like I said, weird."

"Idon't get it. Why would a guy who works for Jacobs try to kill Davis if Davis had already hired some of Jacob's men to kill that couple on the board?"

Rush shrugged."No idea. None of it makes sense."

Ryker sipped his coffee and let what Rush had told himsinkin."So, Langille, who, by all appearances, is an upstanding Marine, musters out and goes to work for a lying sack of manure like Jacobs? It doesn't make sense. Are you sure?"

"I'm going to let it slide that you just asked me that because this whole thing sucks balls. Yes, I'm sure. I got confirmation from a friend who used to work for Jacobs."

Ryker snorted."You have friends?"

"Ha."

"Seriously, you trust this friend?"He didn't want them tobe caughtthinking one thing when something else was true.

"I trust him. He owes me one."Thenaghost of a smile lit Rush's face."I might've gone to Langille's place and secured his laptop andthenhad one of our guys hack into it. There are electronic deposits into his account from Jacob's company."

Ryker's shoulders relaxed a fraction. Rush's thoroughness meant they knew for sure that Langille worked for Jacobs."You're right.Thisis all very weird."He took another gulp of his coffee. He couldn't make the pieces fit, no matter how hard he tried to shove them into place.

"And something else."Rush's face hardened."Another board member died. It will hit the news shortly. Robert Mulligan, CEO of a hedge fund, just dropped dead of a heart attack."

“Oh, shi…”Ryker muttered.

"That took you by surprise. You just about slipped a swear word intoconversation."

"Ha, ha, But seriously, another board member? That's two seats Archer has to fill. I assume we think Davis had something to do with Mulligan's death?"

"Mulligan was in good health and he was only in his late fifties.Seemsawful coincidental,"Rush commented.

"Anychance Archer will let us take out Davis now?He's behind two board member deaths, three if you count Remington Tanger. I liked that old guy."

"No,"Archer'svoice cut across the speakers, and his face appeared on screen."Technically, we don't know for sure what happened. What you heard wasn't clear enough. No names were mentioned. Davis could argue we have it all wrong and we have no proof. Unfortunately, he would be correct."

“Son of a b…,”Ryker snarled."What the hell is it with you and this numbnut?We'vekilled plenty of jokers for a lot less than this guy has done, and you didn't have a problem then."He couldn't help it. He wanted Davis dead. Vic was too close, and he didn't want her to get caught in the crossfire. Davis getting dead solved the problem.

Archer's eyes went flat. He did not like tobe questioned.Tough Shit.It was a legit question. Ryker needed an answer. Davis was getting to him. He needed this assignment to be over. No, it wasn't Davis. It was Vic who was getting to him. He needed to be away from her. She was distracting him.He'd thought sleeping with her might take the edge off, but nope.He wanted her all the time now.

Archer finally spoke."Austin Davis has many powerful friends, inside the Society andout. We can't just kill himlike the cockroachhe is becausetoo many questions would be asked. We need to have solid proof of his guilt. Sofarall we have is a couple of overheard conversations. That's hardly definitive proof. Bring me unimpeachable proof, and you can have the honor of killing him."Archer ended the call.

Ryker rubbed his face. How was he supposed to get irrefutable proof? Davis was slipperier than an eel. None of it made any sense. Jacobs had guys working for Davis, and then he tried to kill him? What the hell was that all about? Did someone hire Jacobs to kill Davis?Ryker sat motionless except forthetappingofhis thumb on his thigh, letting that scenario play out in his head.It fit. Would Jacobs sell out Davis if someone came to him and paid him to have his guystake outDavis? Ryker snorted. That was a no-brainer. Yes. Absolutely. But who wanted Davis dead? A better question waswhodidn't?

Ryker got up and went into the bathroom. He grabbed a quick shower and got dressed in another suit. This one was navy with a white pinstripe. He added a red silk tie. His phone went off as he was putting on his shoes."Sterling,"he answered.

"Ryker, it's Lazlo. Floyd said that Vic has to go to a couple of events today. Who do you want to go with her?"

That was a good freaking question.Hewanted one ofhisownguysbutmostof themwere tied up at the house going over the security again, trying to figure out how Langille got in and making any necessary changes."Send Tony and Vince with her. I want both on her at all times."

"Will do. How's it going at the house?Any idea onhow the bastard got in?"

"Not yet."

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