Page 59 of Dirty Liars

“He bought an island,” Vivica said. “It’s not a US territory, and he moved the entire operation there.”

“And now they’re cleaning up loose ends,” I said. “Theo, Chloe, Max Ortega, Nicholas, Derek Rogan…”

“And I’m next,” Vivica said, her voice cracking slightly. “They’re eliminating anyone who knows too much, anyone who could expose them. I should never have come to the wedding. I should have stayed in London. But he asked me to be there. Needed my support. They were being married in name only, but marriage was the only way Chloe would have the protection of his family name.”

“You were okay with that?” I asked.

“My name is still Vasilios,” she said pridefully. “Our arrangement would have continued as it always had. She was just a child. He would never have pursued her sexually.”

“How did you know that Max and Nicholas were dead?” Jack asked, studying her carefully. “Those deaths haven’t been widely reported yet.”

Vivica’s eyes locked with his. “Because I still have the Vasilios name, and I have access to things most people don’t. And I noticed that I’ve been followed since yesterday afternoon, just like before.”

“Let me guess,” Jack said. “A black sedan?”

“Yes,” she said, curiously. “I hired a private security firm and they got me out of the city and I checked in here. Nicholas told me that I could use the family jet to take me home. He said they’d be staying for the funeral so wouldn’t need it right away.”

“You trusted Nicholas to make sure you made it home alive?”

“I trust the company I hired,” she said.

She nodded to the couple that I’d noticed before who only seemed to have eyes for each other. But I saw the woman glance at us out of her periphery.

“Though I do appreciate you sending extra protection,” she said. “I’m well covered. But I’m leaving first thing in the morning. That’s why I insisted on meeting tonight.”

“These contacts that you have available because of your name,” Jack said. “Can they help us identify who’s killing?”

“You’ll never pin Prather down,” she said.

“I don’t care about Prather,” Jack said. “If the FBI have a bead on him, he’s their problem. I care about who’s coming into my county and killing people.”

She sighed and looked down at the table. “They didn’t tell me specifics. They just confirmed what I already knew—that I was a target. But they mentioned Prather had sent soldiers after me to clean up loose ends.”

“Soldiers?” I asked.

“That’s what they call their enforcers,” Vivica explained. “Devoted members who handle the organization’s dirty work. They’re paired with apprentices—newer members who show potential for violence. It’s how they groom the next generation of soldiers. Prather says it’s for protection, because the world is jealous of the utopia he’s created. But it’s really just an excuse to enforce his will.”

A chill ran down my spine as I thought of the evidence pointing to the two shooters at each scene. The soldier and his apprentice.

“Do you know any names?” Jack asked. “Anyone specific who might be targeting former members?”

Vivica shook her head. “There’s nothing more I can tell you. Almost all the information I have is because Theo shared with me. I need to go and get packed. I’m leaving at dawn.”

“We could put you in a safe house,” Jack said. “Keep you out of sight until they’re caught.”

“I’ll feel better once I put an ocean between us. No one is safe from New Dawn once they’ve decided you’re a liability,” Vivica said, gathering her small clutch purse. “Not even you, Sheriff. Especially not now that I’ve told you all this.”

“Indulge me,” he said. “Let my deputies escort you back to your room. And stay there until morning. Don’t open the door for anyone but us.”

Vivica hesitated, then nodded. “All right. But I’m still leaving on that plane tomorrow.”

“That’s fine,” Jack agreed. “I’ll feel a lot better if it’s my guys who see you onto the plane. You might trust the firm you hired, but I don’t.”

“I appreciate that,” she said, letting out a shaky sigh.

Jack signaled to the deputy at the bar, who discreetly rose and positioned himself near the exit. And then we watched her walk away, spine stiff and shoulders straight, daring anyone to take her down.

“You think she’s hiding something?” I asked.

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