Page 141 of Bonded in Death

“He has a vehicle,” Eve continued. “A major, long-term brand. A brand that’s been around a long time. Fully loaded, luxury vehicle, but not flashy. Black, dark gray, dark blue. Nothing sporty. Dignified. He has his own fitness equipment. No fitness center, too many people. He keeps to himself, but not so much it has people saying just that. He failed today, so he’ll escalate. He’ll try something complicated, put another life or lives on the line.”

She turned to the board, looked at his face.

“He’s a killer, and the wars fed that need. He didn’t get that rush of satisfaction today, that hunger wasn’t sated. He didn’t get to savor, and instead had to run. Had to run the way he did decades ago. He’s afraid, and the fear makes him angry. He needs to find something, do something so he gets that rush, and blows off the fear with success.”

Eve paused, then added, “He has to teach us all a lesson. Show us he’s better than we are.”

“You know him very well.” Marjorie drank. “How do we find him?”

“Working on it,” Eve muttered. “Working on it.”

Chapter Nineteen

She wanted to get to work, but people sat around, drinking wine, eating cheese. Talking.

Maybe she didn’t have the finest social skills—no maybe there—but this wasn’t a party. Sure, the talk was case related, but they weren’t cops. And the way Marjorie and Ivanna had their heads together, they might’ve been talking about shoes. Or hairstyles. Or whatever the hell.

Wrap it up, Eve thought. Move them out.

“That’s all I can tell you for now,” she began.

“We’ve had a lovely day.” Marjorie rose. “Despite the circumstances. It’s difficult not to enjoy gathering with good friends in such a beautiful home. Iris held some virtual meetings, I read an interesting script. We made use of the pool, the game room. I still say you cheated, Harry.”

“You’ll never prove it, Red.”

“Rematch,” Cyril demanded.

“Anytime, mate.”

“I’m looking forward to the kotleta po Kyivsky Summerset’s promisedus for dinner. It’s been a lovely, bittersweet reunion, and only strengthened the bond forged so long ago.”

“Good, that’s good. Now, I need to—”

“And that’s enough of that,” Marjorie interrupted. “Put us to work.”

“Ah—”

“You have seven intelligence operatives at your disposal, all with a vested interest in locating Conrad Potter, in making bloody well sure he’s put back where he belongs.”

“Or ends up in the ground,” Cyril muttered.

“I’d not shed a tear. But my point is we’re useful. Use us. We have here decades of experience. We have skills, and those of us who need to can blow the dust off those skills quickly enough.”

“We may be twice your age, Lieutenant,” Summerset put in, “but in this case, that’s our advantage.”

“You know him,” Ivanna said. “That’s clear, and impressive. But you haven’t interacted with him, worked with him, fought with him as we have.”

“Thirty-odd years ago,” Eve pointed out.

“As you said,” Iris reminded her, “he’s stuck in the past. We are his past.”

“You’re looking for a location.” Cyril rose, topped off his wine. “Single-family, with garage. You say the west side of the city. You conclude that, I take it, since he’s struck on the opposite side. He’d want that distance. Though it would be simpler for him to scout and select his spots if he had his HQ closer to the area, he’d believe you’d assume that and concentrate your efforts there. I agree with your conclusion. West.”

“Looking for his car,” Harry continued, and scratched Galahad behind the ears. “Would be a car—not a lorry, not a van. Sedan. Black first choice. Possible on gray or dark blue. And you’re right about the make. It’s like… lineage. He’d want what was around before he went inside.”

“Mercedes, BMW, Bentley, or Cadillac. Not only for performance and style,” Summerset added, “but the longevity of the brand.”

“Not the Bentley.” Ivan offered an apologetic smile. “He’d enjoy the status, but he considered British-made shite, or so he said. And, excuse me, but that make’s more unusual on this side of the pond, and he needs to blend more. To be admired, envied, but also to blend.”

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