Page 96 of Scarlet Angel

“Yes, sir.”

“Was he by himself?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Have a team do a full sweep of the property.”

“You think he smuggled someone in?”

“Unlikely, but possible. There’s a camera on the front drive, right?”

“Yes.”

“Check the footage.”

“Copy.”

“When Ash returns, have him come to the house.”

“Will do.”

I end the call. Scarlet’s most likely still in the back. But before I go to her, I return to my office and select a throwaway mobile. I dial a number I’ve memorized.

Nomad answers on the second ring. “How can I help you?”

* * *

When I find Scarlet, she’s sitting on a bench, scratching Dog’s ear.

“It’s a mite nippy. Care to come in?”

I scan the overcast skies. I’m not sure what I expect to see, perhaps a drone. The trouble with antagonizing the syndicate is they have some of the world’s most advanced military assets at their disposal. But whatever they choose, they’d lean towards a scenario that evades investigation. Although an aversion to investigations isn’t a foolproof deterrent, given they own many investigators and prosecutors.

Clearly, they don’t own enough of them. I wonder which of Halston’s friends is at risk of getting swept up in an unwanted investigation. There’s no doubt the threat stems from Halston.

“What did Dorian want?”

“To be a right prick.” I offer her my arm, and she rises, taking it. Dog trots ahead of us. She rests her arm in the crux of mine, and I close a hand over hers. “Did you ever decide, out of all the countries in the world, which one you’d choose to reside?”

Her pace slows, and I slow mine to match.

“Did something happen?”

We’re a stone’s toss from the back door. Once again, I search the dismal sky. It’s the way my mate walked off with languid strides that’s irksome. Everything unfolded as he expected. Of that, there’s no doubt. So what would he plan to happen next?

“Did he threaten you?”

The green in her eyes matches the shade of a summer aspen.

“You wouldn’t be nervous for yourself,” she carries on. “He threatened me. Because I’m the witness?”

“He doesn’t care that you’re the witness.”

“What does he care about?”

“World order.”

“What does that mean?”

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