Page 82 of Hell of a Mess
“We have what we need,” Fender said, speaking up. “Luther’s right. It’s the girl’s private thoughts. Not ours to read for research. Even if he did read it himself.”
“Not all of it,” I said.
“Regardless, we have the details. Thaddeus said Halsten has offshore accounts for his tax evasion and fraud on several dealings. He’s paid hit men out of that money to clear out anyone he feels is a threat to him or his goal. Which is to marry his daughter to Arun Al-Bahrani,” Fender finished.
Linc nodded. “All right. We will go with what we have. Get him to admit the rest. Shut down his threats and get Lace’s birthcertificate and death certificate while there. It’ll save us a step in getting Lace’s identity straightened out.”
“I spoke with our lawyers about it yesterday,” Mal said. “If we don’t have either, it’s fine. Her DNA is the proof needed. Once we’ve handled Halsten, then I’ll have her file the legal petition to have her presumed death overturned and the death certificate amended.”
“And make sure it states she’s a Bowen, not a fucking Halsten,” Gathe added.
Mal nodded.
“Hale, Jonas, Fender, Jude, and of course Than will stay here. The rest of us will head out at six tomorrow night to meet up with Thaddeus and his men,” Linc said.
I turned my attention back to my phone, ready to get out of here so I could watch my video, then go see Lace before Mal took her away again.
Thirty-Four
Luther
We stood back while Thaddeus waited at the front door of the Halsten residence. I’d liked my idea of breaking in and surrounding his ass, but this way had its perks. He was being blindsided by someone he believed was a friend.
You don’t make friends with the Mafia. Stupid fucker.
The door swung open, and the maid we’d been expecting appeared.
She nodded politely at Thaddeus. “Mr. Davidson,” she said in greeting and stepped back for him to enter.
That was our cue to step into her line of sight.
“I’ve brought some family with me,” he informed her. He waited until we were directly behind him to enter the house. “I’m assuming that Alpheus is waiting for me in the office,” he replied.
She nodded and dropped her gaze to stare at her feet.
“I’ll go get him, and we can gather in the living room,” Thaddeus said, then waved a hand in our direction. “If you’ll be so kind as to show them the way.”
The lady nodded again and glanced at us. She’d lost most of her color, and she was visibly trembling. “Right this way,” she said before turning to walk in the opposite direction of Thaddeus.
No one spoke as we made our way into a room with high ceilings and an elaborate fireplace that took up half the height of one wall with a roaring fire in it.
“What the fuck?” Bane muttered. “It’s March in Texas.”
“I guess sixty degrees is too much for him,” Gathe replied, sounding amused.
“Please get comfortable. I’m sure they will be here shortly,” the lady said and turned to leave.
“I’m afraid you aren’t leaving,” Linc told her. “Just yet,” he added.
She stared back at him, wide-eyed, and the pallor of her face only worsened.
“I need to know how many staff are on the grounds,” Linc said.
“Just me, the cook, and Eilene—she helps with the cleaning,” the woman stammered.
Linc nodded. “All in this house?”
“Yes.” Her voice was just above a whisper.
