Page 164 of Riordan's Revenge

Rounding the building, I emerged out the back of the short street that ran to the river. At this angle, I could only just see the mayor, pacing, and with his focus fully on Riordan.

Struan, Shade, and Arran waited for me.

Shade’s eyes darkened. “Where’s the killer?”

“I ended her. The river has her now.”

“Moniqua? Ye killed her without me?”

Heh. Now he knew what it felt like. At my smug nod, he continued.

“What’s your plan? Those fucking cops are coming in fast. If any are carrying, we could risk Riot’s neck in the crossfire.”

I shuddered. He wouldn’t die. I’d take a bullet for him. “No guns. Don’t rush him. So far, they’re only talking. The only way the cops know this is happening is because one of the residents called it in, which means witnesses.” I made move-it hands at Arran. “Give me the cash. As much as you have.”

He opened the boot of his car where I knew he had a safe under the boards. “What are you going to do?”

“Un-witness them.”

I faced Shade. “Carry Piers down. Arran, offer him as a trade.”

Shade wrinkled his nose at his ride. “He’s not looking so healthy.”

I shrugged. “The mayor wants him badly. There’s a reason for that. So long as he’s breathing, we have to trust that it will stand.”

They took off to do my bidding. With the bundles of cash in my hands, and my brother playing bodyguard, I strode out into the middle of the run-down street. The front doors opened directly onto the pavement without front gardens, and a quick glance gave up no CCTV cameras or doorbell cams. Unsurprising in a neighbourhood where few had anything worth stealing or funds free for anything not vital. I slipped down to the end house and waved the money at the living room window, trying to keep out of sight in case the mayor turned.

“Whatever ye think you saw, no ye didn’t,” I hissed through the glass.

Voices came from inside. A hushed argument. Then a figure appeared behind the window.

“What’s the offer?”

I bit my lip to stop from smiling then peeled off a chunk of notes. “Open up and I’ll tell ye.”

The window slid out. I made the deal. “The mayor arrived for what looked like a drug deal or maybe a hookup with a prostitute. It went wrong. Ye saw him with a gun or maybe a knife. You’re not sure. Then they all left. Keep to the truth and I’ll pay again in three months. Let the cops through and that won’t happen.”

Across the road, another window eased open.

Quickly and quietly, I made my deal with half a dozen residents, none of them blinking at the body being carried past by Shade.

I fell in behind the skeleton crew, coming into earshot of the conversation again. Struan slipped into the shadows.

The mayor was still holding court, waving his gun and loving the sound of his own voice. “One thing I need to know is what happened to my family tree? Why take something of no value to you but great personal value to me?”

Arran and Shade strolled into view. The man stopped talking.

I slowed, needing to stay out of his sightline. But then an arm hooked me and a hand clamped over my mouth, cutting off my air completely.

Chapter 51

Riordan

Shade dumped Piers on the ground, and Mayor Makepeace’s mouth fell open. I almost shared his shock. The unconscious would-be rapist’s face was a mottled mess of bruises, with blood on his shirt and other suspicious stains elsewhere.

“What have you done to him? Don’t you know who this man is? He’s vital to Deadwater.”

Shade shrugged. “After what he did to Everly, it’s vital that he understands the consequences.”

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