Page 65 of The Devil's Ransom

Shakor’s two men came bursting back into the house, sweating and out of breath.

Shakor said, “And? Where is he?”

“He’s gone. We don’t know where. We followed him into the castle, but he disappeared. We searched it thoroughly, but we didn’t find him. He managed to escape.”

Shakor heard the words and became incensed. He turned back to Drago and said, “That’s very bad for you. Where is he going?”

Drago recoiled into a wall and said, “I have no idea. We have a place in the old town of Split, and another place in Dubrovnik. He could be going to either.”

Shakor leaned back and said, “Where is this place in Split?”

Chapter38

Jennifer watched the sun drop below the buildings next to them and looked at Brett, saying, “It’s getting close to hit time.”

He took a drink of his Coke and said, “Yep. About time to rock and roll. You ready for this?”

She smiled and said, “Me? I think we should be worrying about you.”

He put his glass down and looked at her. She glanced away and he said, “What’s this about? I can climb that wall, but I’m not the best at it. Veep and Knuckles are both as good as me.”

“So? I wanted you.”

“Why? Everyone saw how mad I was about the last thing, even as I understood it. Is this your way of affirmative action?”

She turned her head to him with a little disgust and said, “This isn’t about climbing a wall. This is about what happens after we drop.”

Brett leaned back in his chair and said, “Okay, what’s that mean?”

“It means that I need someone up there who understands the cost of life. The cost of killing. Shoshana told me once that she wanted you on a mission because you understood.”

Brett sat forward and said, “Shoshana said that? Understood what?”

Jennifer said, “I have no idea. But Shoshana did. And does. She has a way about things. If she saw something in you, then so do I.I didn’t pick Knuckles because he’s on the edge. He’s looking to kill to release the pain of Carly. I didn’t pick Veep because he’s always deferring to me. Wanting me to make a decision that I’m not sure I can, because I also want to kill those fucks. I picked you. You and you alone. I have a whole team here to protect me, but only one who I wanted on top.”

The sun dropped below the horizon, and Brett said, “Pike puts a lot of faith in you. I’ve never seen him defer to anyone, but he does to you. You trust me that much?”

Jennifer tossed some bills on the table and said, “Yeah, I actually do. Pike thinks you’re the best thing since sliced bread. Even with your skin color.”

He laughed and said, “Good to know I’m wanted.”

She looked at him and said, “Shoshana can read people, but so can I. Pike is going in the front, and I’m going to be in the back. I needed someone with me that I trust. Someone who knows when to pull the trigger.”

He sat back and said, “Because that’s not you?”

She shook her head, like she was trying to rid herself of a thought. She looked at the waitress coming to take their bill and said, “Yeah. Because of that. I don’t trust myself. But I trust you.”

He looked into her eyes and slowly nodded, saying, “Okay. I’m your man.”

She smiled, started to say something, and both of their phones vibrated.

In the courtyard next to the Makarun alley. Waiting on breach.

She looked up and saw Brett’s face break into a smile. She said, “Looks like it’s showtime.”

He said, “As it should be. Let’s start some climbing.”

She rose and he said, “You know why I stayed on this team?”

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