Page 326 of The Black Trilogy

“Yes.”

“And what was the name?”

“Yours.”

I watched closely as shock and disbelief crossed Eduardo’s face. “Angel, I assure you it was not me. I would never do anything to hurt you, and I would never have hurt your husband either. I know how much he meant to you, and you know how much you mean to me.”

“I didn’t think it could be true, but I had to see your reaction. You understand that?” And based on the way he grasped my hand, my instincts were right.

“Yes, child, I understand. You would not be doing your job if you didn’t ask. So, how can I help you to find this person? By trying to frame me, he has invited my retaliation as well.”

That was kind of what I’d been hoping he’d say. “I think our visitor gave your name with the expectation that I would seek revenge against you. He couldn’t have known we’re friends. So my theory is his boss is somebody who wants you out of the picture, which means he’s most likely a rival of yours in the cocaine trade.”

“And you were investigating tainted coke coming into the East Coast?”

“Yes, contaminated with levamisole.”

“There was a theory that adding levamisole would help keep drugs fresh during transportation, but it didn’t work very well, so most people have stopped using it. It was not something I ever did, though. Call me old-fashioned, but I like to stick with my tried and tested methods.”

Just as I thought.

“Sometimes the old ways are the best ways. Do you know who the big players are on that side of the States?”

“There are a number of them. I can provide you with a list, but we will need to find a way to narrow it down.”

“I brought photos of all the dead mercenaries. I’m hoping you might recognise some of them.”

“Certainly I will take a look. Actually, wait a minute. Let us find Sebastien and Marco first. They get out and about more than me, and they may also have seen these men.”

As well as Eduardo, I’d got to know his two sons over the years, half-brothers by his first and second wives. At twenty-eight, Seb was the eldest by three years. Both chips off the old block, they’d followed in their father’s footsteps in every way, and we’d had some fun times together over the past decade.

Seb in particular shared my wilder traits. I smiled to myself as I recalled the game of dare we’d played one night that led to us almost drowning. It happened the day one of Eduardo’s rivals had been particularly rude to him at a charity soccer match. They’d been supporting opposing teams, words were exchanged, and Eduardo was still seething about it all the way through dinner.

After a few beers, Seb and I decided it would be an excellent idea to break into the other guy’s house and decorate his lounge in the colours of Eduardo’s team. Spray cans in hand, we’d evaded a team of armed guards and snuck through the hallways until we reached our target. Pristine walls stretched in front of us, but when I said I couldn’t draw, I meant I couldn’t draw.

“What is that supposed to be?” Seb asked after my initial effort.

“A football player.”

“Why does he have a chicken’s head?”

“That’s his nose.”

“No, it is a beak. And where is his mouth?”

Okay, he had me there. Seb came over to help, and we were laughing about the buckteeth he gave the player when a maid walked in.

With the sound of her screams echoing behind us, we jumped out the window hand in hand, and the resulting chase wasn’t something I’d want to include on my professional résumé. We’d ended up at the bottom of the dude’s boating lake, holding onto each other and our breath as torches swept overhead. My lungs had been ready to burst by the time we made it to the surface, and worse, my top had gone see-through.

Gentleman that he was, Seb gave me his T-shirt, and I’d got to enjoy the glorious sight of his muscled torso all the way home.

Sigh. I missed those days.

Both boys still lived at home—it was safer and easier for the family to live in one compound, and there was plenty of space. Eduardo dispatched a servant to find them, and in the meantime, another member of staff served dessert.

The boys arrived as I swallowed my last mouthful of crème brûlée. Seb greeted me with a grin and a tight hug, looking fit and tanned as usual.

“It’s been a while, Emmy,” he whispered as his lips brushed my ear. “Too long.”

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