Page 76 of The Silencer

Mav shakes his head.“I know it wasn’t you,” he says, running a hand through his hair.“But his men have no fucking idea who it is.Alessio’s wife is angry that no one has a clue, not to mention so am I.His men have scoured the vicinity in which he was killed and nothing.Not a fucking clue as to who took him out.”

This is serious.Kelvin was well-connected and his death is going to send shockwaves through our world.The fact that it was done so cleanly, with no trace of the killer, is concerning.It shows it was done by a professional.

"So they have no leads at all?"I ask, my mind whirling.

Stephen shakes his head grimly."Nothing solid.Whoever did this is a ghost."

"It has to be a professional.It sounds clean," I say.“Did they canvas the top of the buildings?”

Mav sighs.“They said they did, but fuck, I don’t know.Kelvin had a fucking lot of enemies.It could be one of a thousand people.”

"What do you want?"Jerry asks."Do you want Emmanuel to look into it?You and I know he’s the best there is."

Maverick shakes his head.“Alessio is looking into it.I don’t know why, but I have this sickening feeling in my gut.Something about this doesn’t sit right.”

I sigh.If Maverick thinks something’s not right, it probably isn’t.“If you want, I can look into it.”

“No, you’re grand.If Alessio finds something, I’ll let you know.Right now, I’m going home to Lisa.If you need me, call me.”

I always knew he had a thing for Clodagh’s best friend.They’ve been together for about ten months and he’s in love.He’s the same way I am with Clodagh and Stephen is with Jess.I’m happy for him, just as he is for Clodagh and I.Lisa still doesn’t know about us, and while I got Clodagh’s reasoning at the beginning, she’s left it a long time now and she’s scared of Lisa’s reaction.I say get it over and done with.

My cell buzzes and I see that it’s Clodagh.

Clodagh: Going to study group after classes.Should be home around seven.Shall we have takeout for dinner?Love you.X

Me: Sounds good, baby.Text me when you’re leaving study group.I’ll see you tonight.Love you too.

It’s time for me to go home.“Do you need me?”I ask Jer once we’re alone.

He shakes his head.“No, go on back to Clodagh.I’ll call if anything else happens.”

I fucking hope not.

* * *

I park my car outside the apartment complex.Clodagh should be home from her study group by now.

As I unlock the door, I'm greeted by the sound of her laughter.She's on the phone, probably with Tammy or one of her other college friends.

I pause in the doorway of our bedroom, just watching her.She's sprawled on the bed, textbooks scattered around her, hair piled messily on top of her head.She's never looked more beautiful.

Clodagh spots me and her face lights up."Hey, I gotta go," she says into the phone."Emmanuel's home."She hangs up and jumps off the bed, throwing herself into my arms.

I catch her easily, pulling her close and breathing in her scent."Hey, baby.Miss me?"

She pulls back just enough to look at me, her eyes sparkling."Always.How was your meeting?"

I press a kiss to her forehead."It was fine.Nothing for you to worry about."I don't want to burden her with the news about Kelvin Acaster."How was your study group?"

Clodagh wrinkles her nose."Productive but exhausting.I'm so ready for this semester to be over."

I chuckle, leading her back to the bed."Not long now, baby.You're in the home stretch."

She flops back onto the mattress with a dramatic sigh."I know, but it feels like forever."She looks up at me, a mischievous glint in her eye."Want to help me take my mind off it?"

I grin, already shrugging off my jacket."Always."

I crawl onto the bed, hovering over her.Clodagh reaches up, pulling me down for a deep kiss.I lose myself in the taste of her, the feel of her body against mine.

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