Page 81 of Sweet Poison

“You're sure they are Paganini’s men?” I asked, more out of hope than anything else. Of course, Leila was sure. She wasn’t the owner of one the top private detective agencies in New York for nothing.

“Pretty certain. Just got a message from Tom. He couldn’t believe it either. They must have some new information. You haven’t done anything out of the ordinary, have you?”

“No, nothing.”

I hurriedly put Anya into the passenger seat and went around to the driver’s door. As I did so my eyes spotted two men who had just arrived at the festival. Something about them caught my attention. My eyes connected with one of the men and a cold shiver ran down my spine. They were dressed like the locals to blend in and they had done an excellent job, they looked local, but I recognized the stone-cold look in the man’s eyes. I had grown up with it. He was wearing my father’s eyes. Instinctively, I tapped my side to feel the gun I had in my holster.

“Shit, they’re here. At the fucking festival,” I said to Leila. “Where are Tom’s guys?”

“Well, if they are already at the festival, then so are Tom’s men.”

“Get them to stay close to Montana Moore. She's Anya’s teacher. Don’t let her out of their sight. I’ll send you a photo.”

“No need. I know who she is. I’ll call Tom now.”

“Keep me updated,” I said and got into the car.

They didn’t come towards me. They just stood watching us. As if they were not in a hurry. As if they had all the time in the world.

I turned around to look at Anya and saw her watching me. I had been too sloppy. I had not hidden my fear well enough. She was filled with alarm and on high alert. “What’s going on, Daddy?”

“Nothing’s going on. Put your seatbelt on, honey. Everything’s going to be fine.”

I drove home as fast as I could.

“Go to your safe room, honey. I need to sort a few things out, then I’ll join you. We’ll watch a movie together and relax, okay?”

“Daddy, come with me.”

I smiled at her. “Don’t be scared, honey. I’m just going to make sure all the video surveillance feeds are working, then I’ll come, okay? There’s no one here. Go and choose the snacks you want.”

She frowned. “Hurry, Daddy.

“Of course. Go on. I want to see if you remember how to do it.”

“Okay,” she said and ran towards the kitchen.

I called Leila. “What’s going on with Montana? Is she still there?”

“Yeah, she’s here. At the Waffle Eating Competition stand. Tom’s men have eyes on her.”

“What about the men I saw? Where are they?”

“No sign of them. They could be heading towards you.”

“Do you think they’ll follow Montana Moore?” I insisted.

“I don’t think so,” she said. "I don’t think she’s the target. They may not know you have a special interest in her.”

I winced with regret. “If they were already at the festival they will. I did something stupid. I think everyone knows how I feel.”

“Shit!”

“I know.”

“Regardless, they are heading for you.”

“I’ve sent Anya into the panic room, and I’m about to activate all the booby traps before I join her.”

---