Page 32 of Riot

Knight gave me a look.I shrugged.If he was looking for a clue as to how to deal with this kid he was going to have to look at someone else.I had no fucking clue.

“That’s certainly one option,” Knight said carefully.“Maybe we could look for another deterrent?”

“I want him gone,” Caleb insisted, his voice steel.“He’ll never stop otherwise.”

I stepped forward, finally inserting myself into the conversation.“We need to think strategically, Caleb.Killing your father might solve one problem but create ten more.”

Knight nodded.“Riot’s right.Your father has connections -- financial, political, and criminal.First rule of being in a club like Kiss of Death is to never kill if it can be avoided.Why?It makes people look.Especially someone like your father.The more connected someone is, the more questions people ask and the more they demand answers.”

“So, what then?”Caleb demanded, frustration evident in his tense shoulders.“We just wait for him to try again?Maybe succeed the next time?”

I placed a hand on Caleb’s shoulder.“No.We make it impossible for him to come after you.We make the cost too high.”

Knight tapped a few keys on his computer.“I’ve been digging into Harrington’s business.There are… irregularities.”A smirk crossed his face.“Significant ones.Your father appears to be under investigation already.Has been for months, and probably has no clue.”

Caleb’s eyes widened.“By whom?”

“Seems your father’s business dealings have attracted federal attention,” Knight replied.“FBI, DEA, and IRS.The unholy trinity.”

“Can we use that?”I asked.

Knight’s smile was cold.“Oh, I think we can do better than that.In fact, if we play our cards right, there’s every possibility Doug Harrington’s unspoken associates will do him in.”

It was hard to tell what Caleb was feeling, but I thought there was a sense of frustration.This was a kid who had some big feelings, and I couldn’t read him for shit.

“Knight.”I gave him a wary look.“Is this something you want to discuss now?”

“What?”Knight asked, not looking confused in the least.“Killin’ the kid’s father?”He shrugged.“The way I figure it, the kid’s got just as much a right as anyone other than maybe your woman to decide what happens to the bastard.”

“Mom would never condone this.”Caleb’s expression still didn’t change, but I could tell how he felt about it.“So you don’t say anything to her.”

That got my attention.“Uh, maybe this isn’t the best conversation to be having?”I gave Knight a hard look.

“If I’m not keeping this from you, Caleb, I’m not keeping it from your mother.You both get to have a say in this.”

“Are we really fuckin’ talkin’ about this?”I felt like someone had to be the voice of reason here.

Knight shrugged.“Honestly, it’s probably all moot.Harrington has been laundering money through several businesses for years.He’s also been skimming from his bosses, which is never a good idea, but especially not with the people he’s working for.In any case, the Feds have been building a case for months.If they don’t get him the cartel will, since that’s who he’s been working for.”

“Can we use that to keep him away from us?”Caleb’s voice had lost some of its hardness, replaced by genuine curiosity.

“That’s the beauty of it,” Knight said with a satisfied smirk.“We don’t have to do anything illegal ourselves.We just need to make sure the right information reaches the right people.”He glanced up at me before turning his attention back to Caleb.“Both the Feds and your father’s associates would be very interested in certain files I’ve uncovered.”

“So either the Feds get him or the cartel does.”Caleb looked thoughtful.“It’ll take the Feds forever.”

“Maybe.Maybe not.”Knight crossed his arms over his chest.“Either way, all we have to do is sit tight and wait.”

“Except I’m sure my dad will find a reason to drag Mom back to court.Any time she goes outside this compound, she’ll be at risk.”

Knight stared at Caleb for a long moment.Then he looked at me.“You sure this kid’s twelve?”

“Twelve?”I snorted.“Heard he was gonna be forty his next birthday.”

“I will totally tell my mom you guys ganged up on me.”The smirk on Caleb’s face would have made me laugh out loud if I hadn’t been slightly wary of the kid.“I’m not stupid.I’m also not about to let anything happen to my mom.No matter what has to be done.”

“Give me a few days, Caleb.”Knight moved from the edge of his desk to the bank of computer screens behind him.“No matter what happens, I promise your mom will be safe.”

I wasn’t sure Knight’s promise satisfied Caleb, but he didn’t raise any more objections.

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