Page 233 of Bossy Hero

Alan told me how conflicted he’s been over Katia’s allegiance. If she’s not aligned with her father, he’ll essentially have lost all three of his children. While Savin could eventually come out of hiding, there are no guarantees.

Sue’s cheeks puff with oxygen before she rapidly exhales in a flutter. “The chiefwantsto believe she’s simply being extra cautious due to the timing. Or because she’s physically incapable of getting a message out. That could be the case, considering Lenkov is probably in paranoia mode this close to the move. It’s entirely possible he’s got her sequestered to the extent she can’t slip away to make contact. Nonetheless, we’re no longer sure where her allegiances lie. Not after what we overheard via surveillance.”

“She still might be on our side, though,” Sammy suggests. “I mean, it isn’t her fault if she physically can’t get a message out because she’s in lockdown.”

Sadness overtakes Sue’s expression. “There’s a process Katia’s supposed to follow to notify her father if anything changes, even if she can’t speak or get away from Lenkov. Bigsby didn’t reveal all the methods they’ve used over the years, but she supposedly has five distinct ways to contact him fromwithinthe house. The chief said she hadn’t triggered a single alarm. If we hadn’t hacked her phone, we’d have no idea about Tampa.”

Since they can’t trust Katia, why are they using her intel about Miami?

I’m about to voice my wondering when Sue addresses it unprompted. “Without being able to rely on the information Katia provided, our best bet is to cover both locations. Considering she never told us about Tampa, we have no reason to believe she’d inform us if either port was taken off the table. If we sent everyone to Miami, and Lenkov has redirected his entire move to Tampa, we’d miss him entirely.”

I rub my temples. “Likewise, if Lenkov sent everything to Miami as originally planned, he’d get away with it if we were only in Tampa.”

Sue sighs, her hand falling to her pregnant belly. “Exactly. So they split up.”

Silence fills the room as my thoughts ebb and flow, moving from acceptance to panic and back again.

If I’m going to get through the next eighteen hours without having a nervous breakdown, I need more information. “Susie, who did Alan keep for his team at the Tampa Port?”

“Jonesy.”

I nod. “Okay. He’s good. Who else?”

Her face crimps, and she gives her head the tiniest of shakes.

I take her hand. “Sue, who else?”

“I’m sorry,” she says, pinching her eyes closed.

Sammy leans forward, lowering her brow and glaring at Sue. “Why are you sorry?”

She doesn’t need to say another word. I already know the answer.

No wonder Alan didn’t call or text to tell me about the change in plans. He knew I’d ask who would be with him. And then I’d be a wreck.

Which is exactly what’s about to happen.

More fear. The story of my life.

My daughter urges her sister-in-law more insistently. “Sue, what the hell? Who is staying with Big Al and Jonesy?”

“It’s only those two. Everyone else went to Miami.”

Chapter43

Fun with Detective Dipshit

Big Al

After adjusting my earpiece, I test my connection. “Jonesy, you still got your ears on?”

“I read you, old man.”

“How’s the nest?”

“I had a nice view of the sunrise, but it’s hot as balls up here.”

I wipe my brow with the back of my hand. “It’s not much better down here. Fucking January in Florida, and it’s like being in a sauna at 0800.”

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