Page 169 of Buried Too Deep

He handed the paper to Sage and watched as the boy dropped his gaze to the address, staring at it for a long, long moment. Finally, he looked up, his expression completely blank as he tossed the paper to Alan’s desk.

“I hate you,” Sage said quietly. “So damn much.”

I know. Alan wanted to tell him that the job wasn’t real, that it was just a test, that he didn’t expect Sage to actually kill for him.

But it wasn’t a test. It was reality. He needed the Caulfield family gone. He needed the truth buried so deep that no one would ever find it.

And then he’d deal with Cora Winslow. She was surrounded by bodyguards all the time, but that couldn’t last forever. He’d kill her outside the library once she went back to work, and then he’d burn her whole house down.

No one would find anything in the rubble. No records, nothing incriminating.

Then it would be over. Finally, over.

Maybe then I’ll be able to sleep.

The Garden District, New Orleans, Louisiana

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 10:40 A.M.

Harry Fulton was in his early sixties, dressed in a suit and tie. He was about five-six and balding, a pair of skinny glasses perched on the tip of his nose.

Phin still didn’t like him.

Cora opened her arms to Harry as soon as he walked into the foyer. She had to bend down to hug him. “Thank you for coming.”

“Sorry I’m late,” Harry said. “I texted you that I was delayed, but I don’t suppose you saw my message.”

“I’ve been a little busy this morning,” Cora said after letting the man go. “Harry, these are my bodyguards, Val and Phin. Val and Phin, my attorney, Harry Fulton.”

Harry nodded to Val, then narrowed his eyes at Phin. “He’s looking at you like he’s more than your bodyguard,” the smaller man said suspiciously.

Cora laughed. “Because he is. And, no, I’m not interested in your opinion on the matter.” She tucked her arm into Harry’s. “Come, let’s have some tea.”

The table was neat and tidy, all the photos gone. As was Antoine.

Cora looked to Molly for an explanation. “He took all of our things and went up to your office,” Molly said. “He’s going to figure stuff out while we chat with Harry.”

“Harry, this is Molly. She also works for the PI firm. The others are Stone and Delores. They’re friends of Phin’s from out of state.”

“Nice to meet you all.” Harry gave Molly a once-over. “I’ve seen you before. I’m trying to remember where.”

“Le Petit Choux,” Molly said with a nod. “You eat there three times a week.”

“That’s it,” Harry confirmed. “I’ve seen you there often as well.” He pulled out a chair for Cora, in which she sat with a grateful smile.

“Thank you, Harry,” Cora said.

Phin glared, taking the chair next to her before Harry could.

Val rolled her eyes.

Molly patted the chair next to her for Harry. “My fiancé owns the restaurant. I eat there a lot.”

Harry smiled at Molly. “You, my dear, are a very lucky woman. That man is a culinary artist.” He waited until everyone was seated before turning to Cora. “So what’s this about? And why are all these people here? I wasn’t expecting a kind of Spanish Inquisition.”

Both Stone and Val snorted a laugh.

Phin had to admit that he might like the man a little bit. Anyone who quoted Monty Python couldn’t be all bad. Still, he had his eye on the attorney.

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