Page 103 of A Breath of Life
Before I could respond, a circle of cold steel landed against my lower back, and someone reached around me to remove the phone from my hand. A harsh, accented voice by my ear warned, “I don’t think so, Mr. Krause. Get in the car. Nice and easy. I’m not opposed to putting a bullet in your spine, even in public.”
27
Tallus
Costa texted back right away, and I easily read the snap in his tone.Where did you hear that name?
My hackles rose, and I stilled. My cousin wouldn’t ask that type of question if the name meant nothing. Unsure how to respond, I cautiously typed,A little birdie whispered it in my ear. Why?
His response was immediate, edging toward hostile.Don’t bullshit me, Tallus. Where?
Knowing I was onto something big, I countered with,Why???adding enough question marks to reinforce my irritation.
My phone rang.
“Mother—”
I hedged, unsure what to do. My bathroom visitor might have left, but I had an uneasy feeling he hadn’t gone far. What if he was in the hallway listening? What if he came back and caught me talking on the phone?
Hesitantly, I answered, keeping my voice low. “Hey, cuz. Why won’t you answer me?”
“Why are you whispering?”
“Spontaneous case of laryngitis?”
“Tallus. Do not fuck around. This is serious.”
“Why is it serious?”
“Are you in trouble?”
Ipffed. “No. Not at all. I’m hiding. It’s a new game that Diem and I are playing. It’s called Don’t Get Fucking Caught. He’s off galivanting around the city in plain sight, and I’m tucked away in a gross bathroom stall. So far, I’m winning, but if you don’t answer my question in the next two seconds, I might scream, then I’ll be caught for sure, and it’s game over. Royal Whispering Ace. Talk to me.”
Costa, the prick, did not talk to me. “Youarein trouble. I knew it. I freaking knew it. How do you always land in the middle of a mess?”
“I’m gifted like that.”
“I’m going to start duct-taping your ass to the floor.”
“Sounds kinky, but do not go overprotective cousin on me right now. You had your chance when we were kids, and you blew it. Besides, one suffocating man in my life is all I can handle. Now stop evading and answer the fucking question.”
Spanish curses came through the line before Costa said, “The Royal Aces are a syndicate that our intelligence division has been monitoring for years. They’re wanted for a slew of financial crimes, including money laundering, extortion, and theft. We suspect they’re involved in drug trafficking as well.”
“Huh. Interesting. That’s it? Not murder? Your intelligence division is slacking. Tell them to add murder to the list.”
“You had better start talking.”
“Do you know what the Royal Whispering Ace is?”
“No, but I assume it’s related.”
“I assume so too. My birdie friend claims it’s an underground illegal gambling establishment, but my concerns go deeper.”
Voices arose from outside the bathroom, and I almost dropped the phone as I froze and listened. Sweat coated my entire body, and I could barely think straight from fear that my visitor would return and kick the door in to prove I wasn’t Diem.
“I can’t talk,” I hissed. “This is… not good.”
“Where are you?”
