Page 27 of Savage Rule

I had her in my grip, and I let her go.

Showing up unannounced for breakfast isn’t new for me, seeing as how I usually don’t have much food in my fridge anyway.

But the real reason I’m here is because Luca wanted me to view the photos of Sergio Ramos and Jorge Ruiz.

After breakfast, I follow him into his study. He slides the pocket doors shut behind us and indicates the seat across from him.

He tosses the printed photos Enzo Marcone sent him onto the desk.

“He’s still not getting involved, I see,” I say sarcastically as I grab them.

“Carina hasn’t looked at them.”

I raise a questioning brow. “Why haven’t you shown her? You’re aware she might murder you if you keep this a secret, right?”

“Look closely.”

I flip through the photos which show varying angles of the bodies found at the Hotel Carré.

At first glance, they don’t appear much different than the others claimed by the Ferryman’s minion. There’s the usual gore, blood and shock. Jorge is lying on the floor, his neck slashed and a pool of blood surrounding him like a damned crimson halo. 2009 pennies have been placed over his eyes, the Ferryman’s signature.

Sergio, too, has the copper coins. He’s lying on the bed, his neck pierced with a large blade. And that’s what wrong with this picture.

“The knife is still there.” I frown as I stare at the weapon.

“Exactly. It’s a match to the one she used to kill Alma.”

So that’s why he didn’t want Carina to see. The reminder of her sister dying with Scarlet’s blade embedded deep in her chest will be painful. But eventually, he will have to show her.

I bring the image closer. “Scarlet wouldn’t make the mistake of leaving the weapon. I mean, she did it with Alma because she had to run. But this?”

“She wouldn’t.”

“Unless…” I study the angle of the hilt still protruding from Sergio’s throat, his right arm resting on his chest. “She didn’t kill him.”

Luca shakes his head. “The preliminary report from the medical examiner concurs. It was suicide. He must have done it before she could.”

“With her knife?” I rub my temple in thought. “How would he have gotten a hold of it?”

“Perhaps she gave it to him,” Luca offers. “Coerced him to do it somehow.”

“But even so, she wouldn’t have left her weapon.”

“Tell me why she would, then.”

I stare at the pictures. “How did she get in?”

“Through the suite next door. They share a balcony.”

“Is there any security footage?”

“Erased.”

“Of course.” In my mind, a movie begins to play.One where Scarlet is a cat burglar dressed in black, moving like a shadow beyond the guards.

At least, that’s what I imagine until Luca adds, “The Ramos Cartel has been quiet. No word of retaliation.”

“Maybe they don’t know who they’re going against.”

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