Page 35 of Sinful Beauty

Chapter13

Tristan

“Any updates?”

Nigel’s question grates my nerves, but mostly because I’ve made no progress, unless one counts getting close to Lucia Oliviera and confirming she’s not living above her means.

“These things take time.”

“I have another case I could use you on.”

“Short on personnel?”

“Always. And the wankers are breathing down my neck about stopping the human trafficking ring in Asia, which, thanks to the press, is the flavor du jour. But instead of focusing on Cambodia, I’ve got you hunting white-collar criminals.”

“Is that how we’re looking at it these days? If someone hires thugs, they’re just leveraging a resource, so they fall to a low priority?”

“That’s not what I’m saying. But I am regretting allocating your time to one case for ninety days.”

These fuck twats are in my family’s company. “I’m making connections.” A vision of my connection with Lucia comes out of nowhere and I’m instantly hard.

“Connections. Is that what the kids are calling it these days?”

“Feeling punchy?”

“Penny let me know you didn’t come home last night.”

“And exactly how did your assistant know that?”

“That’s a question you’ll need to ask her. I don’t ask these things.”

“She’s tracking my phone’s location? Is that it? Or is she tapped into my security system?” There are security cameras at every door and window in my flat. When I first started with Interpol and began pissing off unsavory characters, I installed them. But did I give Penny access? Surely not.

“Like I said, you’ll need to ask her. She looks at all of you as hers, you know. Takes your safety seriously.”

I press my thumb over the bridge of my nose, hoping to ward off the impending headache.

“So who is she?” Nigel prods.

“Come again?”

“Or him. I don’t care which way you swing. Just looking for a little reassurance you’re not about to blow through an assignment with no plan.”

“She’s an assistant. She’s well-connected.”

“Did she know William Salo?”

“I’ll have that answer by the end of the week. I can’t come in asking questions about the guy who’s suspected of foul things without raising suspicion.”

“Right.”

Nigel knows how I work. “You’re just busting my balls, aren’t you?”

“Yeah. It’s fun.” He’s such a shit.

“But I want you back here. Personally, I think everyone’s going to forget all about the compounds, but the PM is getting heat and I’d like some updates.”

“All the more reason to have me here. China won’t interfere with this inquiry. And you and I both know they’re the reason nothing has been done to date about those compounds.”

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