Page 145 of Riordan's Revenge

Whispers started. Sydney shifted in her place, her discomfort plain. I’d heard rumours of murders, but the information wouldn’t stay still in my head long enough for me to cling to it.

Red worked his jaw. “You, whose daughter is shacked up with Daniels, killed and left bodies outside his building. By all means, give us the details. Be precise.”

Adam nodded, his jowls wobbling. “The first was the prossie on the steps. She sold sex across the road from my house. It pissed me off.”

“So you just…?” Red lazily mimed cutting his throat.

Adam eagerly agreed. “Yeah, and the second, that American bitch, was walking home alone, so fair game. I knew it would impress you, that’s it.”

The man who’d stepped up to take Adam’s place interrupted with a sound of disgust. “Liar. You’re stealing my thunder.”

Red gave a low chuckle. “You’re claiming the kills as well?”

The second guy, who could’ve passed for a suburban dad with a neat haircut and polished shoes, jerked his head frantically. “I did it to get this job.”

Adam snorted in derision, twisting back to eyeball his girl. “Bullshit. The timelines don’t match up. Bronson’s job is only on the table because Daniels’ crew took him out. You’re full of it.”

Red lifted his chin at the newcomer. “Agreed. Step the fuck down.”

Suburban Dad swore but slunk away, outside of the line of the light and towards the door.

Red watched him then cut his gaze to his guard.

The huge guy didn’t pursue him. Instead, he reached for the back of his jacket, pulling a gun. People gasped and shifted away in a rapid huddle.

The guard handed the weapon to Red who raised it lazily as Suburban Dad reached for the lock. He didn’t see his endcoming. An explosion rang out, deafening me and painting the door crimson.

The body slumped. Fearful silence held the room with all eyes on Red. He handed the gun back to the guard and returned his gaze to Adam.

“Unless anyone else here wants to claim the glory, or walk out without my permission, you were saying?”

Adam swallowed. No one else made a peep.

He lifted a shaking hand, ticking off his fingers like he was working through a mental list. “I took out the next two as warnings to Arran and his crew. The girl who lived next door to the mayor’s place. Because Shade is fucking the mayor’s daughter. Then Alisha was a shot closer to home. My future son-in-law deserved it because you know what he did for me? Jack shit. That’s right. No job, no money. Fuck him.”

My hearing faded. Alisha? Alisha was dead?

My heart ached.

It couldn’t be. She was so alive. A cornerstone of the skeleton crew, even if she preferred the sidelines. Once, I’d hoped we could be something to each other, even just friends. She was dead? Ah fuck.

Adrenaline coursed through my broken body.

If Red didn’t kill Adam, I would.

Mutters grew in the crowd, and the glances towards Walker shifted to more admiring than scornful.

A slight, dark-haired woman pushed through the group. Under the bright light, she slanted a look of disdain at Adam and centred on Red. “I know exactly who the Deadwater killer is, and it’s none of these nobodies.”

She was familiar, but her name evaded me.

“Moniqua,” Red supplied for me. “Interesting choice of evening’s entertainment for a girl like you. Better suited to working on your back upstairs.”

She gritted her teeth but held her ground. “Like I said, I know who the killer is. I know that they took the prostitute just because she was there when they were angry, and the mouthy American because she was trashing the city’s reputation. The house-sitter lost her life because they were in a rage that they couldn’t get to the intended target, and Alisha was just to piss off Daniels. As proof that I’m good to my word and know what I’m talking about, I bring collateral.”

“Which is?”

Something flashed in her eyes. “My cousin once told me that you vowed to take all of Daniels’ women. Sydney is here. I’ll work for you, so you’ll have me. I’ll bring one of his barmaids, too. But there’s someone more important. Someone I think you’ll be happy to see.”

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