Page 21 of The Lieutenant

“Meaning what?” He’d worked inside the United States his entire career, yet he’d amassed contacts all over the world.

“Just that their reports paint a much more dangerous and deadly picture than I’d originally discovered.”

“What are you telling me, Jacob?”

“I caught a television show produced in Athens. I’ll send you a link. I’m simply reminding you to be very careful how you handle yourself and what you ask. I don’t want this to be your last assignment.”

“Thanks for the pep talk.” There was genuine anxiety in his voice. It was time to change the subject. I wasn’t going to be talked out of this. Danger I could handle. My father had taught me a whole lot of what he’d learned while in training. “Have you heard anything from the networks?”

“It’s been two days since you asked. The answer is the same. No. The studios executives take longer than God to make a decision.”

All I needed were my heels and I was ready for this atrocious date. At least it would be over with quickly. I grabbed my phone, heading back to my laptop. “I know you can work magic. Now, I need to run.”

“Hot date?”

If I dared tell him what was going on, I’d never hear the end of it. “Preparations for tomorrow’s interview. You know how I am.”

Jacob huffed as he usually did when he was about to make fun of me. “All work and no play have made you a dull girl. Try and remember you’re still young.”

“Try and remember you’re very old.”

“Yes, I am. You make me feel even older. I’ll talk with you in a day or so. Just promise me you’ll be careful and come home if your instincts kick in there’s something wrong.”

“Yes, Dad.” I’d started calling him Dad several months before. Maybe because he reminded me of my own father. Gruff around the edges, but a softie inside.

I had a glass of wine poured and had at least thirty minutes to myself. I’d insisted on meeting Havros at his apartment instead of him coming to me. Of course, I had no doubt he could easily determine where I was staying, but by offering him the name of the hotel, it would be as if I was inviting him to come inside and stick around for a while. That was the last thing on my mind.

Plus, I’d never been inside the residence of a crime lord. That would add an entirely different level of depth to my story. Now to continue doing a little research.

My curiosity had been on high alert since we’d talked about the two clubs. I’d made note of them, but hadn’t bothered to learn any details.

With what Havros had said, or more important, what he hadn’t said about the clubs, I was more curious than ever. Both websites were easy to find. They were both gothic in design, their layouts unlike anything I’d seen in New York, yet there was no sign either one was anything other than designed for dancing and drinking.

Huh. It was apparent Havros had only been trying to crawl under my skin. He’d almost managed. I googled the club name and found pictures of celebrities, famous actors along with musicians, and even well-known sports stars partying. I scrolled the page, telling myself I’d check one more before shutting everything down.

On page two, the lead story caught my eye. I clicked on it and shivered from another tingle of anticipation.

The article was on a shooting a few months before. His brother had been killed. I had no knowledge of the reporter or what country the story was written in, but the man had alluded to the fact it had been a revenge kill. Another series of shivers drifted down my spine. This had to be the reason for the extensive NDA. I was positive of it.

A blip on my computer indicated a new email. Jacob had sent the link. I hesitated before pressing it. A man appeared, nicely dressed in a suit. He was all alone, no guests. His English was very good and as he spoke to the camera, various photographs popped up on the screen. Some were depictions of crime scenes. Others were of various men, one including Havros.

The man on the television was saying in no uncertain terms that the Nomikos family had been involved with drug trafficking and the sale of illegal weapons for years, the clubs nothing more than a coverup. Maybe for laundering money. I wasn’t entirely certain why Jacob was so bent out of shape. This was a typical operation, although two in the United States I’d interviewed hadn’t minded flaunting their illegal side.

Still, I’d keep the information in mind. I was certain the program had pissed Havros and his family off.

I had to ask myself the most intelligent question so far.

What had I gotten myself in the middle of?

CHAPTER 7

Havros

The devil.

Kara had used the phrase in both articles. While her references were subtle as well as accurate, I was somewhat surprised she’d used that term.

Granted, I was fairly certain all of the men within the Nomikos family had been called that quite frequently over the years. Her view was definitely not on the positive side.

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