Page 25 of Elliot

“Don’t call me that,” Charley growled.

“But that’s your assigned code name.” Con’s voice was confused. Smoke laughed silently in the front seat.

“Your information, please?” Elliot ground the words out.

“Oh, dear. Con is being difficult again, isn’t he?” Olivia sighed.

“I’mbeing difficult?”

“Yes, you are, darling. Now, be good.” The same female voice that Elliot had heard earlier came online.

“Hey, Ronnie,” Charley said.

“Hey, sweetie. Are you okay?” Elliot noted Con’s wife’s handle was Ronnie. He had no idea what that stood for.

“Of course. Just a little fun.” Charley sighed. “Con, what else did you find?”

“Her bio parents are listed as Lynette LaVon andJonathan Oatem.” Elliot glanced back in the rearview mirror at Maya. “Well, from the complete lack of response, I can tell you’re all in shock. So was I. He still hasn’t been found. Then, of course, I haven’t looked for him. It's about time to rectify that.”

Elliot concentrated on driving as his mind raced. Jonathan Oatem was an alleged serial killer that several news outlets had linked to foreign governments. He’d been labeled an assassin.

“Are we sure it’s the same person?” Elliot asked.

“About seventy percent. I’m working on it, but the dates and location match the general area where he was living at the time. We have to pull out some magic dust and elbow grease, and that takes some time.”

“Doesn’t affect the situation,” Elliot said. She was being threatened. Might have been the target of an assassination attempt. “Two shooters. Pictures? Updates from NYPD?”

“The NYPD has the event cordoned off. There are two people down. Hold on. Let me jump into the radio traffic and see if I can get anything.”

Elliot threaded through traffic as he waited for Con to come back on the comms. The sound of a phone vibrating had almost everyone patting purses or pockets.

“It’s mine,” Maya said. She frowned and answered, putting the phone on speaker after Elliot asked her to do so.

“Maya, are you okay?” Chandler Kates’ voice was breathless.

“I answered the phone, Chandler. One would imagine I’m alright.” Maya closed her eyes and shook her head.

“Darling, let me come get you. I’ll take you to my home, and you’ll be safe.”

Maya’s eyes popped open. “What makes you think I’m not safe?” Elliot’s eyes met hers in the rearview mirror.

“Tracking that smarmy ass son of a bitch,” Con rattled out over the comms. “He left the building after my mom kicked his ass to the curb. He could be our shooter.”

“Well, there was a bomb threat,” Chandler groaned. “I’ll take care of you. Come home, babe.”

“Home? I’ve never been to your house. We had one date, Chandler. One. Whatever you think happened between us didn’t.”

There was silence on the other end of the line. Finally, Chandler laughed, a menacing sound. “Maya, honey, you're just upset. You know we have a connection. I just want to take care of you.”

Olivia rolled her eyes and put her hand over her mouth, clearly trying to resist the temptation to say something. Elliot knew the feeling. He was biting his tongue. The son of a bitch was delusional.

“No. That will never happen. I don’t like you. I haveneverliked you. Do not call or come to my apartment or place of business. If you do, I will file a restraining order against you and leak it to every business publication in New York and beyond.” Maya rubbed her forehead.

“Don’t be so emotional, honey. I know you're upset.”

“Yes, I’m upset. Atyou, you son of a bitch!” she yelled.

“Got his location.”

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