Page 53 of Pax

“Animals? You’re calling me an animal. I know what you were going to do to those kids. I’m not the animal. You are.”

“They would have had a lovely home,” said the man, lifting his nose into the air as if to appear superior. “Everything would have been given to them, including love and affection.”

“Unwanted love and affection. You lied to them, you lured them here, and in the process, you allowed those two to kill others that appeared less appealing. You will have no mercy from me.”

“I did the world a favor!” yelled Mason. “Those people were bleeding the systems dry. In time, others would have learned that they needed to leave Mexico and find other places to live. Healthcare costs would have gone down. We’ll do the same here. You’ll see. My system will work anywhere.”

“You don’t have a system,” said Cam. “Last chance. Where is your Homeland connection?” With no response, Hex whispered in Cam’s ear, and he nodded.

“You had your opportunity. Now, we’re going to give justice, for those who can’t get it themselves.”

The dead bodies of the bodyguards were loaded onto the yacht, and then each of those still living was secured by a line to the boat at the waterline. Multiple cuts were made, drawing the attention of anything desiring a meal.

Pointing the yacht out to sea, they secured it at full speed and watched as the bodies bounced against the side of the yacht, blood trailing behind them. In the distance, they saw the sharks swimming closer and closer. Finally, one was torn free from the boat and pulled beneath the black waters. Then another, and another, until the bodies disappeared completely.

If they hadn’t died by shark attack, they would have died from blood loss and probably concussion of their heads bobbing against the boat at full speed.

“I’d like to say that was satisfying, but it wasn’t,” said Hex. “I want the Homeland, or Navy or whatever the fuck connection.”

“I think I have something. Mason’s mansion is about six miles from the marina. I’ve got two heat signatures inside, and one just left the property. A maid. If you hurry, you might find your connection.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Using theIrenewas their only way to get to the mansion fast enough. They had no vehicles of their own and the cars of the buyers had been left with flat tires. As it turned out, it didn’t matter. TheIrenewas faster than any vehicle would have been in southern California traffic.

The mansion was perched on a high cliff just off the beach. The deck was covered with exquisite carved patio furniture and an infinity pool offering someone brilliant views for sunrise or sunset.

With their wet suits on, they anchored the boat and swam toward the beach. Still in stealth, they wouldn’t be seen coming. Taking the stairs up to the main deck, they moved slowly along the open glass doors. Inside, they heard someone whistling a happy tune, and that pissed them all off.

Pax entered first, his brother behind him. Luke took a seat on the sofa as each of the men stood in the massive living area. When the last was inside, they slammed the glass doors loudly and then the front doors, securing them all.

“You’re back!” yelled the man. “I trust it went well. How much did you get…”

“Oh, we got plenty,” said Luke.

“You’re trespassing,” said the man.

“No, we’re not. This home doesn’t belong to you. It belongs to the very, very dead Carr Mason. Or it did. I mean, I guess, technically, it could be yours if you’re his next of kin. Or partner,” said Pax. He gasped, covering his mouth. “Oh, shit. Are you his partner?”

“Who are you?”

“That doesn’t matter. You’ve disgraced the office Homeland Security.” His face paled, and he turned to head back toward the bedroom but was stopped by a wall of black dive suits and muscle.

“Yeah, we know,” nodded Hex. “We know all about what you and your friends were doing, and we’ve made sure it won’t happen again.”

“They won’t charge me,” he said with a grin. “They can’t afford any more bad press for the department. I’ll get a slap on the wrist, a demotion, something boring.”

The men broke into uproarious laughter, and he stared at them as if they’d all gone mad. Maybe they had.

“No, you won’t get charged,” said Pax. “Because you won’t be arrested. There will be nothing left of you to arrest. See, I’m a true patriot, and I won’t waste the taxpayers’ dollars on a fucked-up trial for a pathetic piece of shit like you. Besides, Mason and Moravo said you weren’t the brains in this at all. They said your partner was the brains.”

“I don’t believe you. They wouldn’t say that!”

“They did say it,” said Pax. Behind him, he knew his brother was cheering him on. Something about the man was telling him that it wasn’t just him helping with this. Someone else was involved.

Cam stepped forward and snapped a photo of the man, comms immediately running the facial recognition software.

“What are you doing?”

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