Page 104 of Dangerous Rhythm

Sure enough, a black BMW appeared and made a left turn onto the one-way street. Kate waited a few seconds to pull out and give Sofia a head start.

The seconds also gave them time to see if the Stiletto man was aware of Sofia’s movement. But no car from the cross street started. Even if he noticed Sofia’s departure, he wouldn’t be able to follow her since he’d parked his car on the cross street. He’d have to go around the block to intercept her if he wanted to catch up with her.

“We know where she’s heading.” Kate kept a big distance between them and Sofia, but stayed close enough to see where she was going.

They drove farther east and kept going when Sofia found a street parking spot not too far from the location the texter had sent Sofia. Kate made her earliest turn and parked.

Seeing it was almost midnight, Sofia had really cut it close to the deadline, but it made finding parking easier. Lina had texted Bill with a brief update of where they were. And she received a thumbs-up. Then an additional text, “Curtis said, watch your back.”

“You’re ready?” Kate asked.

Lina nodded and pocketed her phone. They hurried back to the street where they’d passed Sofia. The woman wasn’t in her car anymore and was nowhere in sight.

The commercial street was abandoned at that hour. Stores were closed, and there weren’t any restaurants or bars to keep the street alive.

Lina and Kate crossed the street, scanning for any movement. But if Lina’s guess of the man Sofia was seeing was right, there might always be someone watching.

“There’s a guard in the lobby,” Kate whispered. “We need to go around back. Go in from the cast door.”

Lina nodded. The venue of the rendezvous was a theater under refurbishment. It wouldn’t be too hard to find another way in.

Avoiding the front side, they jogged around the block to get to the back of the theater. The back door was locked, but it was an easy fix for either Lina or Kate. Within minutes, they were inside and cautiously creeping through a dark hallway. The closer they got to the stage, the clearer it was to hear Sofia’s enraged voice.

“How dare you summon me after what you did!”

Lina peeked from behind the stage curtain, Kate behind her. Low light had been turned on the audience floor. It was difficult to make out whom Sofia was talking to as they sat in the first row.

“I didn’t do what you think I did,” a man’s voice replied.

Lina glanced back at Kate, silently questioning if she recognized the voice. She shook her head.

“You killed my brother.” The bitterness in Sofia’s voice was palpable. “How could you? How do you expect me to feel?”

“I didn’t kill your brother.”

“Your hand might not be the one who stabbed him, but you ordered it!”

“Sofia, I did not order your brother killed!” The man stood, revealing his identity to Lina and Kate.

“Connor Murphy,” Lina muttered, confirming her suspicion.

“I love you, Sofia. I would never hurt you, especially that way,” Connor said, reaching for Sofia.

She pulled back, putting distance between them. The rejection stung Connor. Lina could see his jaw stiffen.

“Your brother killed my cousin first. For no reason. He never gave Sean a chance!” Connor exclaimed. “But I never retaliated. That’s just not how I or my family do things anymore. Not under my watch.”

Sofia spat at Connor’s feet. “I don’t believe a word you say. My mother was right. You Murphys are scum in suits, trying to be better than what you really are.”

Pain slashed across Connor’s face at the deep insult. Lina could hear Kate’s low mutter, “Ouch.”

“Then what are you?” he fired back. “At least I’m trying to be better. Better than my predecessors.”

“You’re no better than me or my mother.” Sofia backed farther away from him. “Don’t contact me anymore. And you better watch over your shoulder because my mother will never forgive what you did.”

Sofia turned and ran up the aisle to the lobby.

“Sofia!” Connor called out, but he gave up and dropped into a seat.

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