Page 11 of Savage Reckoning

“Not entirely. The job has some perks.”

“Like job satisfaction?” Tony wonders.

“Well, there is that. Plus unlimited first-class travel. And luncheon vouchers. Oh, and did I mention the chance to settle a few old scores?”

In the mirror, I see Jack’s eyes narrow. “What scores?”

“Sokolov,” I answer. “Him and his filthy trade in human flesh. I’ve been taking out his Vors one at a time, leaving him isolated. Then, when I’m ready, I’ll take him, too. The world will be a better place without that psychotic parasite sucking in oxygen.”

“What do you have against Sokolov? Specifically?” Jack Morgan is nothing if not tenacious.

“He’s expanding into the US. Or he hopes to. Uncle Sam doesn’t want that, so they struck a deal with me to eradicate him before he becomes a significant problem.”

“You said you don’t work for anyone,” Jack reminds me. “You lied.”

“I don’t work for the government. We just… share some common interests. That’s all.”

“Like removing Sokolov?”

“Exactly. So if we—”

“Since when did the US government start hiring mercenaries to do its dirty work?” This is the first time Casey has contributed to the conversation. It’s a fair question.

“Since they didn’t want to be implicated in anything smacking of organised crime. That sort of thing gets presidents voted out of office.”

She’ll be able to check what I’m saying easily enough, and I have no doubt she will. Her husband is one of New York’s most active crime bosses, and the only way he can survive is to have friends in high places. It wouldn’t take me a lot of digging to find which greasy political palms have been crossed with Irish silver to enable the O’Neill organisation to thrive as it does.

Casey’s mouth flattens. She makes no other comment but gets out her phone and starts texting. Her husband will be on the other end.

“So, Sokolov is being targeted by the US government. Is that what you meant about a mutual enemy?”

I nod. “I figured your boss knew more than he was letting on about Sokolov’s activities. Why else was he there, extricating those girls? But I had no opportunity to get up close and personal, not then. I decided to follow Savage back here and offer him a deal. I didn’t expect his helicopter to be blown out of the sky.”

“Do you have reason to believe Sokolov was responsible? Is that why you’re here?”

“Actually, no, I don’t think that, though I wouldn’t entirely rule it out. But from my contacts within his networks, I’m fairly sure the Savages aren’t on his radar. At least, not yet. That could change when he links your organisation to the death of his Vor in Belarus, but that was only a day ago. He hasn’t had time to join the dots yet.”

“We killed several of his men in Scotland last week.”

“Ah. So that was you. Sokolov is still ranting about that and promising retribution, but he doesn’t know who to aim it at. So, no, I don’t think he had reason to take down your chopper.”

“Do you have any idea who did?”

I shake my head. “Not at present, but I’d be happy to pool my resources with yours to flush them out.”

“Resources?”

“Networks. Contacts. Intelligence that the US military might hold.”

“You have access to US military intelligence, and you’d be prepared to leak it to a foreign enemy?” Jack’s eyes narrow. He thinks I’m a spy, not to be trusted. He thinks I’d betray my country.

I could point out the ethically grey nature of the Savage enterprises but choose not to. Instead, “Are you an enemy? I have no reason to think so. I’m looking at a mutually beneficial arrangement. My superiors will live with that, while at the same time denying all knowledge if things get awkward. We’re all pragmatists. Whatever gets the job done.”

“You used to be US military. Like Megan.” Casey has been listening intently beside me. She’s still texting but she spares me a sideways glance. “Are you still?”

Shit, she’s sharp. Talk about precision bombing my least defended areas. Rather than an outright lie which will in all likelihood get me killed, I settle for avoidance tactics.

“Loosely,” is my guarded response.

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