Page 11 of Riordan's Revenge

The moment passed, and Riordan gave up the attempt. “You think it will only take Arran a matter of days to wrap up whatever he is doing?”

“It’s a targeted hit. He’s going after Bronson. With just a few key players, maybe even just him and Shade, they can take that arsehole down.”

He squinted at me. “How do you know that?”

“I don’t for sure, but that’s exactly what I’d do if this was my plan.” I rubbed my hands together, the summary of this far easier to construct than any of my own feelings. “Arran has evidence now that links into what we already knew about the killer, giving Bronson the metaphorical smoking gun. He leapt to action, which tells me he already suspected the man and this was the final puzzle piece. He’s not going to wait around.”

“What kind of man is Bronson?”

“An arrogant fuck, and nowhere near as protected as Red, the leader of the gang. Your sister came face to face with him when she strayed into their territory. He’s a frontline kind of man, therefore easier to grab. Red will be pissed off, but Arran’s evidence will stay his hand because he doesn’t want the murders to continue either. It’s bad for business. Besides, he can’t bring a war in the same way that Arran can’t—there’s too much press attention. Too many cops on the street. It would be begging for trouble.”

Riordan settled his chin on his hands, that gaze turning curious. “What happens once Bronson’s taken?”

He was listening to me. Actually listening. A fizz of energy sparkled through me at his attention.

“Methods,” I made inverted commas in the air with my fingers, “will be used to get the truth out of him. But it’s possible he’s our man. None of our other suspects could have killed all the women. We kept hitting blanks and alibis. Bronson wasn’t even on the list, only Red, so that was an oversight, which I’m kicking myself about. The first course of action in interrogating him will be to work out his motive. It should be fun.”

Riordan folded his arms and sat back. “Shame you won’t get to see.”

I blinked. “Of course I will. I’ll be there with bells on.”

“In the room with a killer? One who threatened your life?”

I could’ve laughed. If he thought me intimidated, he was wrong. “Aren’t ye sweet, worrying about me? I come from a family of criminals. I’ve been waiting to make my first kill in the name of protecting something I care about. Which in this scenario is the warehouse and all the women who work there. Fuck that guy for killing Alisha. Fuck him for killing Cherry, Natasha, and Amelia. Don’t ye think it poetic that a woman will end his miserable life?”

Riordan only stared.

With a grim smile, I lifted my phone. “Now to make my confession.”

At Riordan’s sigh, I dialled my Skeleton Girls Detective Agency chat group to add Genevieve and Everly to a call, their two concerned faces appearing almost instantly on my screen. Genevieve’s blonde hair contrasted Everly’s brunette that matched Riordan’s chocolate shades.

“I have something to tell ye both.”

I didn’t hide my mistakes. Being open and honest was important to me for more reasons than I could list, but right before I could give up my crime, Riordan reached out and claimed my phone from my hand.

His determined expression quickened my pulse. My stomach flipped at the touch of his fingers to mine. I held my breath in anticipation of whatever he was about to say.

Chapter 5

Riordan

Genevieve’s eyes widened as she took me in. “Arran said you’d gone somewhere with Cassie.”

Cassie rounded the table to my side, kneeling on the bench next to me. “I took him.”

I had no idea of my motivation, maybe it was pride taking the wheel, but I wasn’t about to be a victim. “I’m here as Cassie’s bodyguard,” I amended. “Are you both okay? Tell me you’re safe.”

The two women confirmed that they were and that the warehouse was on lockdown with all crew pulled back until some event had taken place. Arran and Shade were keeping their information close. I didn’t doubt Cassie’s guess at their actions, though.

Gen’s gaze shifted across the screen. “Is it true that you got a letter, Cassie?”

My tiny, crazy captor paled then reached for her pocket, extracting the killer’s note. I’d only seen it from across the roomearlier and stared at it like it could give up any further clues. Block capitals in a black ink. Plain paper, unlined. Nothing further that gave me any insight into its source.

Yet some motherfucker had written that in my name in order to trap Cassie.

My sisters listened to her explanation and puzzled over the message and the implied threat.

Everly pressed her fingertips to her lips, her shock obvious. “The killer tried to lure you out by pretending to be Riordan? Thank God you didn’t go. But how did they get in your room? Whoever it was had access to that floor to deliver it. Has anyone pulled CCTV?”

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